Bipolar Disorder
The discussion of mental health has always been a sensitive topic. In this month's mental health column, we try to spread awareness regarding bipolar disorder and the impacts it has on people.
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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
By Deenie Bulyalert
By Deenie Bulyalert
Disclaimer: This article discusses mental health topics that could include the mention of self-harm, suicide, and more. The goal of this article is to spread awareness and educate individuals on mental health disorders that could be affecting anyone, even the people in our school. Please proceed with caution.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a “mental disorder [characterized by] unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The National Alliance on Mental Health describes that bipolar disorder can cause “dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly.” Those who have bipolar disorder experience extreme highs and lows. Highs are described as manic episodes and lows are depressive episodes. The reason that these periods of time are called “episodes” is that they often last over a sustained period of time. Manic and depressive episodes could last a few hours or they could last as long as a few months. Less severe manic periods are often described as hypomania. The National Institute of Mental Health goes on to describe the three different types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia. They add that “All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels.”
Bipolar I
Bipolar I
Bipolar I is characterized “by manic episodes that last at least 7 days.” It can also be defined by “manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care.” Bipolar I can also have depressive episodes that occur for at least two weeks. When an individual is diagnosed with Bipolar I, they can also experience bipolar with mixed features, which means they are having episodes with depressive and manic systems that occur at the same time.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II
Due to the majority of individuals who are diagnosed with a Bipolar disorder being classified as severe, Bipolar II is the less common disorder among the two. Bipolar II is “defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of Bipolar I Disorder.”
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
Cyclothymia is the lesser-known disorder among the three. It is characterized through its “periods of hypomanic symptoms.” It is also defined by “periods of depressive symptoms.” These symptoms typically last for a minimum of two years for adults and, in children, one year. Cyclothymia consists of symptoms that “ do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.”
History
History
Healthline published an article that discusses the history of bipolar disorder and how it has become what it is today. It is believed that, in the first century in Greece, Aretaues “began the process of detailing symptoms in the medical field.” He theorized the correlation between mania and depression, but none of his work was acknowledged for centuries. It is noted in the article that “The ancient Greeks and Romans were responsible for the terms 'mania' and 'melancholia,' which are now the modern-day 'manic' and 'depressive.' ” They also found out that lithium salts calmed people who were manic and made those in depressed episodes less depressed. Lithium is now “a common treatment for people with bipolar disorder.”
During the time of Aretaues and Aristotle, those with mental disorders were often executed. “As the study of medicine advanced, strict religious dogma stated that these people were possessed by demons and should therefore be put to death.” This stigma that occurred centuries ago still appears in the lives of those now. Treatment for melancholy was written in a book called The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton in the 17th century. The strategy used music and dance to try to better the symptoms of melancholy or nonspecific depression. Due to differing medical information, the book served mostly as a “literary collection of commentary on depression and a vantage point of the full effects of depression on society.”
Later on, a book called Sepuchretum was published by Theophilus Bonet. It discussed the experience of Bonet and their performance of 3,000 autopsies. Through this, he found a correlation between mania and melancholy and attributed it to a condition previously called “manico-melancholicus.” This was the basis of conditions such as bipolar disorder because it was the first time someone had acknowledged mania and depression as not being separate disorders.
In the third revision of the American Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders (1980), the term bipolar was first published. This addition of bipolar in the revision discouraged the use of maniac as a term to use on patients. The American Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Disorders is “considered the leading manual for mental health professionals.” This manual has symptoms, treatments, and guidelines that help doctors properly care for people who have bipolar disorder. The information on bipolar disorder has evolved tremendously and, although it has evolved, it is a continuously studied condition.
Who does it affect?
Who does it affect?
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states that “approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year” are affected by bipolar disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health discusses how roughly 83% of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder are in severe condition, meaning “people with bipolar disorder had serious impairment, the highest percent serious impairment among mood disorders.”
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Bipolar stands for two poles. It represents the two ‘extremes' of mania and depression that occur during bipolar episodes. The emotions and feelings felt during episodes are on a spectrum. Manic episodes can be extremely high, and depressive episodes can be extremely low. They can also occur during the same time period, interchanging between one another. During manic episodes, there are feelings of being happy, being full of energy, distracted, and easily irritable, according to NHS UK. NHS also describes symptoms of depressive episodes, including suicidal thoughts, melancholy feelings, a lack of energy, feeling empty, distracted, irritable, of having a loss of interest. Overlapping symptoms between depressive and manic episodes also occur, with loss of appetite and lack of sleep being the top symptoms.
As per most mental health disorders, the causes of bipolar disorder are not completely known. MayoClinic says that physical changes in those diagnosed with bipolar disorder appear and the “significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.” Genetics are also factors that could play a role in having bipolar disorder, but they do not entirely explain the cause of it, just that those who have family members who have it are more likely to have it themselves. Risk factors that could play a role in having a bipolar disorder are the previously mentioned first-degree relative with bipolar disorder, high and long periods of stress, along with drug and alcohol abuse being a potential contributor.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness goes through the potential treatments for a person who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy is the number one option for treatment, not only for bipolar disorder but for most other mental disorders, as well. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be beneficial, with the goal of teaching coping mechanisms to combat negative thoughts. Medications like lithium, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and second-generation antipsychotics are also options for those who are looking through treatment options.
Importance of Talking
Importance of Talking
Mental health has always been a topic that has been stigmatized. Whether it be a discussion of more commonly talked about disorders like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, those mental health discussions are attached with negative connotations. The media portrays a lot of mental health disorders through someone acting crazy in a movie, like kidnapping kids, murdering a family member, etc… and those who struggle with disorders like bipolar in real life are not like the advertised version and often act like everyone else.
Through the continuous discussion of mental health disorders, mental health gets less stigmatized and more normalized. With the normalization of mental health, people have an easier time being able to access mental health resources like medication, therapy, etc… They do not have to feel the constant pressure of trying to fit in and they no longer have to ostracize themselves because of fear. Many of those who struggle with mental health disorders have a hard time reaching out to get help, as they do not know how others will react and some do not even know where to find resources.
By talking about mental illnesses more, there will be a higher demand for accessible resources, whether that be through cheaper therapy or medications, more research on other treatments, support groups, and more. Many of those who struggle already feel so alone. Removing that barrier, little by little, just by talking about it, will help so many future generations to not have to suffer alone.
Resources and Videos
Resources and Videos
Grants Pass High School:
Kris Stuart- Mental Health Counselor
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Hotline:
US: Text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a Crisis Counselor
They are there to help. If you need it, please ask. You do not have to fight this battle alone. Be gentle with yourself. You are trying your best and your best will always be enough.
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