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Dr Sacrifice Chirisa Mental Health Issues
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities.

When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behaviour and the ability to think clearly.

Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, one can manage their mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan.

In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychotherapy. There are several types of bipolar and related disorders. They may include mania or hypomania and depression. Symptoms can cause unpredictable changes in mood and behaviour, resulting in significant distress and difficulty in life.

Bipolar disorder: At least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. Bipolar II disorder: At least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never had a manic episode.

Cyclothymic disorder: At least two years of many periods of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms. Other types: These include those induced by drugs of abuse or alcohol or due to a medical condition, such as Cushing’s disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke.

Bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar disorder, but a separate diagnosis. While the manic episodes of bipolar(i) disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment.

Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, typically it is diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and symptoms may vary over time.

Mania and hypomania are two distinct types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Mania is more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties.

Mania may also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalisation. Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:

Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired Increased activity, energy or agitation Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria) Decreased need for sleep like not sleeping for many night and still not tired

Unusual talkativeness Racing thoughts

Destructibility

Poor decision like making for example, going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks or making foolish investments. A major depressive episode includes symptoms that are severe enough to cause noticeable difficulty in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships. An episode includes five or more of these symptoms:

Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful and irritability Marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all or almost all activities Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain increase in appetite Either insomnia (lack of sleep) or sleeping too much Either restlessness or slowed behaviour

Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide

Now if left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life, such as: Problems related to drug and alcohol use Suicide or suicide attempts

Legal or financial problems Damaged relationships Poor work or school performance It is vital to have anyone with the above symptoms treated.