This site is for educational purposes only and is not to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.

Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Disorder has the following symptoms according to most doctors:

 

     Depressive episodes with periods in which mood and energy are excessively elevated.  In fact, these 'highs' usually come out of the blue.  This elevated phase is often called Mania.  When someone with Bipolar Disorder is in this elevated phase, they usually have abnormal optimism where they are overactive with an enormous amount of energy that they never had before.

 

     Other symptoms may include racing thoughts, extreme talkativeness and a decreased need for sleep.  In fact, many times the sufferer may go days without sleep and still have lots of energy.

 

     Because this elevated phase is the product of an imbalance in the brain chemistry, Scientists now believe that people suffering from Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depressive Disorder can be successfully treated about 80% of the time with certain types of medication.

 

     Those most at risk of developing Bipolar Disorder are individuals with family members who have the illness. Bipolar disorder is thought to result from chemical imbalances in the brain, caused by a defective gene or genes. The good news is that there is hope for it's sufferers.  As mentioned above, those with Bipolar Disorder can be successfully treated. 

 

     According to research, Bipolar Disorder is known to afflict about 1.2% of the U.S. population.  That number is misleading because researchers claim that almost 75% of cases go untreated or are misdiagnosed.

    

      

 

    

 

    

     Fortunately, great strides have been made in treating this illness.  In most cases, the symptoms can be controlled effectively by medication and other therapies.  

     The most common way of treating those with Bipolar Disorder is by using a combination of a mood-stabilizing drug and psychotherapy.  The main mood-stabilizing drugs used for the treatment of bipolar disorder include Lithium Carbonate, Depakote and Tegretol.  Lithium carbonate has always been the principal drug used in treating bipolar disorder.  It is highly effective in reducing mania, and may also prevent recurrence of depression.  There are many forms or psychotherapy, such as;  cognitive, behavioral, or psychodynamic; individual, family or group.  Any of these forms of therapy can be effective in treating those with Bipolar Disorder. 

     For severely manic or depressed patients or for those who don't respond to medication, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is sometimes used.  ECT acts quickly, so it is often used to help patients who are considered to be at high risk for committing suicide.

     If you suffer from Bipolar Disorder, it's important to have your Doctor monitor your treatment closely because many of the drugs can be toxic.  Because people react differently to medication and the fact that it's impossible to predict how your body will respond, your Doctor may need to experiment with several different types of medications when first beginning your treatment.

      

     If your spouse or family member suffers from Bipolar Disorder, it's extremely important that you be involved with any treatment they may be given.  You may have to monitor them particularly when they are in a manic phase.  Help them avoid taking in caffeine, such as; coffee, tea, sodas and chocolate.  Alcohol should also be avoided.  When a person is in the manic phase it's important that they be seen by their Doctor, so you may have to make the call since most sufferers tend to resist treatment during this phase. 

     Bipolar Disorder is a very serious condition but scientists now believe that it can be successfully treated about 80 percent of the time with balance-restoring medications and therapy.   So when diagnosed early, and treated appropriately, many sufferers and their families can live infinitely more stable lives.