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Understanding Bipolar Disorder



Bipolar disorder, manic-depressive disorder (also known as manic depression or bipolar affective disorder) is a psychiatric diagnosis  that causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior–from the highs of mania on one extreme(abnormally elevated energy levels), to the lows of depression on the other.

According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the median age for the onset of bipolar disorder is 25 years . However, the disorder can start during childhood and sometimes doesn't show and manifest itself until a person is much older. Bipolar disorder is an equal opportunity disorder that affects people of any walks of life, race, ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds. 

Also according to NIMH, it is an inherited disease. More than two-thirds of people with the disorder have at least one close relative with the illness, the causes of bipolar disorder is not completely understood by doctors or research institute, but it often runs in families and researchers believe there is a genetic component involved.

Types of Bipolar Disorder:
There are several types of bipolar disorder wherein all types involve episodes of depression and mania to a degree. 

Bipolar I - people/persons with bipolar disorder type I have had at least one or more manic episodes with periods of major depression (a depressive or hypomanic episode is not required for diagnosis), but it frequently occurs..

Bipolar II - people/persons with bipolar disorder type II have never experienced full-fledged mania. Instead they experience periods of hypomania (elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness -with moods cycling between high and low over time). These hypomanic periods alternate with episodes of depression. However, a person should take into account that a bipolar II diagnosis is not a guarantee that suffer will not experience in eventuality from such an episode in the future.

Cyclothymic disorder - cyclothymia or better known as cyclothymic disorder is a relatively mild mood disorder i. e. is a history of hypomanic episodes with periods of depression that do not meet a criteria for major depressive moods.. People with cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than in full-blown bipolar disorder.

Mixed bipolar - with mixed bipolar disorder, a person experiences both mania and depression simultaneously or in rapid sequence.

Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder - a person experiences four or more major depressive, manic, hypomanic or mixed episodes occurring in a period of 12 months. It is said that 10%-20 % of people who suffers from bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling.

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