WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression is a psychological condition that involves severe mood
swings accompanied by changes in emotions, thoughts, behaviours, physical health and functioning. The mood swings are
more extreme and more prolonged than the everyday ups and downs that we all experience. Emotions may vary from depression
and hopelessness through to feeling overly elated ('high') or irritable. People usually go through periods of normal
mood in between times.
THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM
About 1% of the population has a bipolar disorder. Men and women are equally likely to be affected.
Typically, the first episode of depression or mania occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood. Bipolar disorder
is highly likely to recure and 80% of people with a bipolar disorder will experience at least one further epidsode of mania
or depression.
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
There is no one reason why a person develops a bipolar disorder. There is evidence that bipolar disorders can
run in families. The current thinking is that genes are probably a more important vulnerability factor for the development
of bipolar disorder than upbringing and childhood experiences. A wide range of factors may be important in bringing
on an episode of bipolar disorder varying from stressful life events, excess alcohol consumption, lack of sleep to physical
ill-health.
Although the causes of bipolar disorder are not yet known, the effects of repeated episodes of the disorder
are well described. An untreated manic episode can have particularly negative consequences for the person with bipolar
disorder and for their family. Disinhibition, excessive spending or other inappropriate behaviours can lead to a variety
of social and psychological problems. Alternatively, when a person experiences a severe depressive episode they can
feel so hopeless that they no longer feel life is worth living and may try to harm themselves. Lastly, people with bipolar
disorder may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to control their mood swings.
TREATMENT
The aims of treatment are to reduce the symptoms of depression or mania, to prevent or reduce the frequency
of future episodes, and to help the individual come to terms with having bipolar disorder.
Most people will require medication at some stage, but supportive counselling and/or specific psychological
treatments, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, can play an important role.
If a person experiences an episode of mania or severe depression they may need to be admitted to hospital
to allow more intensive treatment and support to be offered, or to help avoid actions that are dangerous or regrettable.
People with less severe depressive or hypomanic episodes can usually be offered additional treatment and support in the community.
MEDICATION
Longer-term treatment: Individuals with a bipolar disorder will virtually always be offered a prescription
for a mood stabilizer to try to reduce the severity or frequency of mood swings. Disadvantages of mood stabilizers are
that they need to be taken for many years to show any effect, a regular blood test is required, and there can be side-effects.
On balance, research shows that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
Shorter-term treatment: it is usual to offer additional medication (called major tranquillizers) to
people experiencing an acute manic episode. This medication is prescribed to try to reduce physical and mental agitation
and to improve sleep. These drugs are usually withdrawn once the mood stabilizing medication starts to help.
Anti-depressant medication may be used if an individual experiences an acute depressive episode. These
drugs are rarely used alone in a person with a bipolar disorder.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES
Most individuals with bipolar disorder and their families welcome the opportunity to talk about the impact
of the disorder on their lives and to get help in coming to terms with the problems they experience. Counselling can
be useful in offering support and helping people to adjust to what has happened. There is now some research that shows
that cognitive behaviour therapy and some other psychological treatments (such as family therapy) can be particulalry beneficial.
Cognitive behaviour therapy provides a framework for understanding bipolar disorder and the impact it has had on the individual.
They can explore new ways of dealing with problems and coping with stress and depression. Other possible interventions
are briefly noted below.
Becoming an Expert on Bipolar Disorders: It is important for the sufferer to become as knowledgeable as
possible about bipolar disorders, including understanding the signs and symptoms; the treatments available and the side-effects
of different prescribed medications. This information will allow greater collaboration with mental health professionals
and opportunities to influence treatment.
Developing Regular Patterns of Activity: Disrupted sleep patterns can trigger further episodes of mania
or depression. It has been found that maintaining fairly regular paterns of eating, sleeping and activity can reduce
the frequnecy and the severity of mood shifts. Keeping a record of moods, activities, and sleep patterns and then planning
a balanced schedule that avoids 'overdoing it' has proved beneficial for many individuals.
Reducing Stress and Avoiding Stimulants: It is important to understand what types of events and experiences
have proved stressful to an individual in the past. It may be possible to avoid some stressors (e.g. life events such
as moving house or job). Learning strategies to cope with mood shifts so as to avoid overuse of alcohol, caffeine and
other drugs is particularly important.
Recognising and Managing Early Warning Signs: It is usually possible to identify about three symptoms of
depression and three of mania that warn an individual with bipolar disorder that they may be about to experience a further
episode. It may be possible to develop and plan to prevent a full blown manic or depressive swing by taking action when
the first symptoms of relapse occur. This plan may include several key people such as the sufferer, mental health professionals
and family members.
(Source: www.babcp.org.uk/publications/leaflet1.htm)
