Bipolar Mood Disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, including the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. It is characterized by intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods known as “mood episodes.”
Symptoms and Behavior Change
There are two primary episodes a person may experience:
- Manic Episode
- Mood change symptoms include
- A long period of feeling overly happy or outgoing
- An extremely irritable mood or feeling “wired”
- Behavior change symptoms include:
- Racing thoughts or speech
- Being easily distracted
- Increasing goal-oriented activities, such as taking on new projects
- Being restless
- Having an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities
- Sleeping little
- Taking part in high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees as well as impulsive sex or business investments
- Mood change symptoms include
- Depressive Episode
- Mood change symptoms include:
- A long period of feeling worried or empty
- Loss of interest in activities one once enjoyed
- Behavior change symptoms include:
- Feeling tired
- Having problems concentrating or making decisions
- Being restless or irritable
- Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
- Thinking of death or attempting suicide
- Mood change symptoms include:
Some people may experience a combination of these symptoms, which leads to a mixed state episode. For most people, these symptoms are severe, disruptive which can lead to damaged relationships with friends and family, poor job or school performance, as well as suicide.
After proper diagnosis, most treatment will include a combination of psychotherapy with medication.
- Psychotherapy treatment may include any combination of:
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Family Focused Therapy
- Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy
- Psycho Education
Medication is required, typically the first choice in medication will be some type of mood-stabilizing prescription, but doctors may also recommend antidepressants or atypical antipsychotic medications.
These options offer a full understanding of this condition, coping methods, including interaction tips for both the effected person and his or her family.
Don’t Wait to Get Treatment
Bipolar mood disorder is a lifelong illness. Without treatment most people will experience symptoms that continually worsen and occur more frequently.
If you or someone you know could benefit from treatment for this debilitating condition, call our office at 561-496-1094 or contact us online today.
