Bipolar 1 Disorder

What is Bipolar 1 Disorder?

Bipolar 1 Disorder is just one of 4 kinds of Bpd (Bipolar 1Bipolar 2Bipolar NOS and Cyclothymic Disorder) or “BD1” is a mental illness also known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression. A manic episode is any abnormally elevated mood that is also accompanied by an abnormal life disrupting behavior. A person that has Bipolar 1 Disorder has at least one manic episode in there life. Also people with Bipolar 1 Disorder most of the time suffer from episodes of depression as well. This is where the term “manic depression” comes from. Because there pattern cycles between mania and depression.

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar 1 Disorder?

The symptoms that most people affect with Bipolar 1 will experience an elevated mood that can be considered “feeling high” followed by a sudden irritability or depression.

During one of these episodes people have abnormal behavior which includes:

  • Increased Energy
  • Inflated Self-Image
  • Hyper sexuality
  • Having sudden Ideas then jumping from one to the next
  • Substance Abuse
  • Excessive Spending

Many people during a manic episode spend money far more then would normally, have sex with people they normally wouldn’t, or purse unrealistic plans. Severe manic episodes a person may become delusional or behave bizarrely and sometimes even lose touch with reality.

If an episode of the mania is left untreated it can last from a few days all the way up to several years, but symptoms more commonly last between a few weeks and a few months. After this mania depression is followed, some times shortly after while other times not until weeks or even months later.

Though a few people have rapid-cycling between mania and depression symptoms sometimes even on the same day, Most people with Bipolar 1 Disorder will experience long periods between episodes.

While much like clinical depression the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder result in a depressed mood, loss of pleasure, low energy, and feeling of worthlessness, and sometimes even thoughts of suicide. These depressive symptoms can be very quick or sometimes last for years at a time.

Who has the highest risk of Bipolar 1 Disorder?

While anyone can develop Bipolar 1 Disorder. The majority are people whom are in there early 20s when the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder first appear. While at the age of 50 almost everyone who has Bipolar 1 Disorder will have it fully developed. People who have immediate family members are at higher risk. Also women have a higher chance then men. About 2.5% of the U.S. population(About Six Million People) has a Bipolar Disorder.

What Treatments are there for Bipolar 1 Disorder?

Bipolar 1 Disorder requires treatment with drugs, such as a mood stabilizer an antidepressant, or a newer antipsychotics.

Bipolar 1 Prevention

Though it is possible to help prevent some of the episodes of mania or depression once it has developed. It is still unknown if a Bipolar Disorder can be prevented in its entirety, because the direct cause of Bipolar Disorder is still not well under stood. But having a regular therapy session with a social worker or psychologist can help stabilize the mood, which leads to less hospitalizations and feeling better overall. Also taking medication on a regular basis will help lead to fewer manic or depressive episodes.


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