+Bipolar Disorder

A condition in which people alternate between periods of a very good or irritable mood and depression.

TypesSymptoms& Treatment

+Table of Contents

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms

Treatment

References

+Types of Bipolar Disorder

Type I At least one manic episode and periods of major depression Was once called manic depression

Type II Never had full mania Have periods of high energy levels and impulsiveness, not

as extreme as mania (called hypomania) Alternate with periods of depression

+Types of Bipolar Disorder

Cyclothymia Mild form Involves less severe mood swings People alternate between hypomania and mild mild

depression

People with Type II or Cyclothymia may be wrongly diagnosed as having depression.

+Types of Bipolar DisordersReview Questions

Which type has the least amount of mood swings?

Which type has combinations of high energy with impulses

Are they as extreme as mania?

What was Type I known as in the past?

Do people diagnosed as Type I suffer from major depression?

What periods do people with cyclothymia alternate between?

+Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Easily Distraced

Little need for sleep

Poor judgement

Poor temper control

Reckless behavior Binge eating, drinking, and/or

drug use Sex with many partners Spending sprees

Very elevated mood Excess activity Increased energy racing thoughts Talking a lot Very high self-esteem

Very involved in activities

Very upset

Occur with bipolar disorder I. People with Type II have similar symptoms, but less severe.

Manic phases can last from days to months. Their symptoms include:

+Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Daily low mood or sadness

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

Eating problems Loss of appetite and weight loss Overreacting and weight gain

Fatigue or lack of energy

Feeling worthless, hopeless, guilty

Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed

Loss of self esteem

Thoughts of death and suicide

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Pulling away from friends

+Symptoms of Bipolar DisorderReview Questions

How long do manic phases last?

Are the symptoms for people with Type II more severe than mania?

What are 3 symptoms experienced during the depressed phase of both types?

What are 3 examples of reckless behavior seen in mania behavior?

Do the symptoms of mania also occur in those with Type I?

+Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Main goals in treatment are to: Avoid moving from one phase to the other Avoid need for hospital stay Help patient function as well as possible between episodes Prevent self-injury and suicide Make the episodes less severe

Periods of depression of mania return in most even with treatment.

+Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

The following drugs (mood stabilizers) are usually used first: Carbamazepine Lamotrigine Lithium Valproate

Others Include: Antipsychotic drugs and

anti-anxiety drugs Antidepressants

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is used when there’s no response to medication

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) High-frequency magnetic

pulses to target affected areas of brain.

Most often used after ECT Carbamazepine Lamotrigine Lithium Valproate

+Treatments of Bipolar DisorderReview Questions

What drugs are generally used first in treating bipolar disorder?

What are two main goals of treatment?

What does ECT stand for?

What is it used for?

What does TMS stand for?

What is TMS?

When is it usually used?

+Resources

“An Integrated Approach to the Management of Bipolar Disorder: An Alliance of Science and Medicine.” Medscape. 28 July 2003. 7 July 2011 < www.medscape.org/viewarticle/459327_1 >

United States. National Center for Biotechnology, U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed Health. Bipolar Disorder. 29 March 2011. 7 July 2011 < www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pubmedhealth/PMH00019247 >