Bipolar disorder is a type of brain disorder that can make the most ordinary and normal of moods appear very extreme. Sometimes referred to as manic depression or manic-depressive illness, this disorder is characterized by unusual extremes and highs and lows of mood, activity levels, energy and the ability to do regular everyday tasks such as get out of bed and go to work in the morning.
Researchers and the medical community are not completely sure as to what causes bipolar disorder to start in the first place. Most people who develop it come from a family where another member has it so the familial link has been established. But family history or a genetic predisposition towards the disorder are not the only factors that gives rise to it. This is a most definitely baffling disorder to diagnose.
Presently there are 5.7 million adults in the United States who are living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder affects both males and females and it does not discriminate according to race, ethnic group, geographical location or socioeconomic class. The disorder most often develops when a person is in their late teens to early twenties. In fact, it is theorized that over half of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder develop it before they reach the age of 25. Children can also develop bipolar disorder although it is less common for it to appear at this time in a person's life. However there have been cases where bipolar disorder has been diagnosed in children who are as young as six years of age.
Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for depression. Depression can be sneaky in that it can sometimes obscure other elements that point to a bipolar diagnosis. If substance abuse is added to the picture then it can become even murkier and may remain undiagnosed for a lengthy period of time.
A diagnosis for an individual who exhibits the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, which include cycles of elation and depressive mood swings, is relatively easy to make because it follows a pattern. However not all patients show symptoms that are as clear cut. For example, there are patients who do suffer from bipolar disorder but their symptoms are anything but classic. Mania mood swings can be mild episodes that do not really seem to point to a problem and sometimes can be attributed to circumstances or a person's unique personality. - 30309
Researchers and the medical community are not completely sure as to what causes bipolar disorder to start in the first place. Most people who develop it come from a family where another member has it so the familial link has been established. But family history or a genetic predisposition towards the disorder are not the only factors that gives rise to it. This is a most definitely baffling disorder to diagnose.
Presently there are 5.7 million adults in the United States who are living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder affects both males and females and it does not discriminate according to race, ethnic group, geographical location or socioeconomic class. The disorder most often develops when a person is in their late teens to early twenties. In fact, it is theorized that over half of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder develop it before they reach the age of 25. Children can also develop bipolar disorder although it is less common for it to appear at this time in a person's life. However there have been cases where bipolar disorder has been diagnosed in children who are as young as six years of age.
Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for depression. Depression can be sneaky in that it can sometimes obscure other elements that point to a bipolar diagnosis. If substance abuse is added to the picture then it can become even murkier and may remain undiagnosed for a lengthy period of time.
A diagnosis for an individual who exhibits the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, which include cycles of elation and depressive mood swings, is relatively easy to make because it follows a pattern. However not all patients show symptoms that are as clear cut. For example, there are patients who do suffer from bipolar disorder but their symptoms are anything but classic. Mania mood swings can be mild episodes that do not really seem to point to a problem and sometimes can be attributed to circumstances or a person's unique personality. - 30309
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Bipolar depression, also known as manic depressive disorder, is a serious form of depression that can't be ignored. Manic depressive psychosis can affect all aspects of a person's life, from their job to their relationships.
