Bipolar Disorder - What You Need to Know About This Illness

Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder may experience depressive episodes. That person will feel worthless, helpless, have low levels of energy, is tired all the time and a lack of interest in some of the activities that were enjoyable before. They won\'t be able to eat or even sleep. Worst of all, that person may even contemplate committing suicide or has done it unsuccessfully several times.

Unlike a manic episode, a person with depressive episodes of bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed if he or she shows 5 or more of the symptoms mentioned daily over a 2 week period or longer.

In terms of gender, bipolar disorder is equal between men and women but females tend to switch moods more quickly. In fact, women will have more periods of depression than men.

Bipolar disorder is not recognized as an illness, which is why a lot of patients are often misdiagnosed. The doctor may think that the patient is suffering from either schizophrenia or some other severe mental illness. Similar to diabetes and heart disease, the good news is that it can be treated.

For this to work, doctors will use a combination of medications, psychotherapy and if things are severe, ECT or electro convulsive therapy. This will make it possible for the sufferer to achieve a comfortable balance of moods and thus reduce the risk of suicide.

You shouldn\'t expect the drugs or the therapy to work overnight. They usually take effect after a few weeks and with the support of family and friends, you will be able to take control of your life once again. It may even help to join a support group as you are not the only one who is experiencing this disorder.

In short, bipolar disorder can make the person go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Doctors do not yet know the exact cause so it is impossible at this time to prevent it. There is also no cure at the moment because more research needs to be done.