I. What is bipolar disorder
It is a kind of mood disorder. Patients show high and low moods, different from the emotional ups and downs of ordinary people. When the disease is severe, it can make the patient have difficulties in family, work, study or social aspects, and even cause suicide.
Second, what are the causes
There is no single cause. Family health history, brain chemistry plays an important role in constituting the disease. Individual personality and mental stress may also trigger the disease.
Third, what are the symptoms
Patients can have extreme changes in mood, which can range from high mood to low mood, with a period of normalcy between episodes. Patients may experience the following changes.
High mood (can be only partially symptomatic).
Very good mood, increased activity
High energy, thinking too much and too fast
Talking more, or faster, than usual
Sleeping less without feeling tired
Poor judgment, reduced self-control, and a penchant for spending money
Exaggerating your abilities, etc.
Depressed mood (can be only partially symptomatic).
Feeling sad, crying for no clear reason
Feeling despair or emptiness
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Loss of previous enjoyment
Decreased energy or feeling tired
Sleeping too much or not enough
Eating more or less than before
Even want to commit suicide
IV. What treatments are available
Standard treatment can produce a good response. Since relapses often occur, treatment must be ongoing. There should be a mixture of medication (emotional stabilizers, etc.) and psychotherapy (learning to control stress, etc.). Sometimes it is necessary to change and adjust the treatment (type and dosage of medication.)
Also, support from family, friends, psychotherapy and self-help groups is helpful.