Bipolar disorder, or manic depression is a common psychological condition creates intense mood swings. People with bipolar disorder experience extreme emotional highs and lows during the course of a few weeks. This mental illness can affect a persons personal and professional life. Many manic-depressive people lose their jobs and important relationships due to the disease.
There have been several advancements in bipolar disorders over the past few decades. Bipolar disorder is often triggered by hormonal changes, trauma or drug and alcohol abuse. Bipolar disorder can also cause drug and alcohol abuse when individuals try to self medicate to ease their depression. People with bipolar disorder usually swing back and forth between manic episodes and depressive episodes.
Manic episodes usually last a few days to a week. Signs that someone is having a manic episode are hyperactive behavior, irritability, sleeplessness, and feelings of euphoria, racing thoughts, increased sex drive, poor judgment and increased energy. After experiencing a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder usually fall into a depressive episode that can last for weeks. Signs of a depressive episode are feelings of sadness, guilt, loss of interest, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, excessive sleeping and suicidal feelings. There have been several advancements in bipolar disorders, but doctors still do not know what causes the condition.
Treatment Advancements in Bipolar Disorder
Several advancements in bipolar disorders have been made in the way of treatment for the condition. Most psychologists suggest therapy of some kind for patients to talk about their feelings. There are also several antidepressant medications available. Many studies have been on the effects of nutrition on mental illness. Studies show that high doses of nutritional supplements such as glyconutrients can help to decrease symptoms of manic depression.
