Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar Disorder

Female: Most people with bipolar disorder can successfully balance their moods with medication, but how do you know that it is bipolar disorder?

Male: Although bipolar disorder cannot be identified physiologically, for example for a blood test or a brain scan, diagnosis of the disorder can be made on the basis of a person’s symptoms, the course of the illness and the available family history. When someone has bipolar disorder, the person has dramatic swings from periods of phonetic activity or manic moods to hopeless, depressive moods. The first step in diagnosing bipolar disorder is identifying those two mood states. The manic episode is diagnosed if an elevated mood of course with three or more other symptoms for one week or longer. Or you get extremely irritable mood of course with four or more manic symptoms. Symptoms of mania include increased energy, euphoria, extreme irritability, racing thoughts, rapid speech and loose sexual behavior. Other common symptoms of mania include a limited need for sleep, spending sprees in unrealistic belief in one’s abilities, poor judgment and drug abuse. A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more symptoms occur nearly everyday for period of two weeks. Symptoms of depression include a lasting sad mood, feelings of hopelessness, guilt or helplessness and decrease interest in pleasure. Other symptoms can include decrease energy, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbance, the change in appetite or unintended weight fluctuations. When a person exhibits alternating signs of mania and depression, the person may have bipolar disorder.

Medication is the most critical element in a new treatment plan with bipolar disorder. While therapy can be helpful in conjunction with medication, it is rarely sufficient on its own. Most patients even those with severe forms can achieve substantial stabilization with mood swings with proper treatment. Medications prescribed for bipolar disorder are almost always mood stabilizers like lithium, the first mood stabilizer approved by the FDA. Doctors also prescribe a variety of anticonvulsant drugs like Depakote and Tegretol which sometimes have mood stabilizing effects. Medication is the key component to the treatment of bipolar disorder. But treatment can be enhanced when psychosocial treatments are used simultaneously. Bipolar disorder is a complex illness. For proper diagnosis and treatment, see a mental health professional.

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