Bipolar Mood Disorders – Tribune Online

WHAT ARE MOOD DISORDERS?

The daily mood is characterized by normal fluctuations as some days we wake up excited and happy to get out of bed, while some other days we don’t feel so happy. Thus, feeling happy and good can be seen as a positive (+) score above normal, while feeling unhappy as a negative (-) score below normal. So, for example, we can assume that a hypothetical score between +10 and -10 from baseline (zero) is the normal mood range. Of course, even if we experience good news, we would get very excited and happy, but within a few minutes to hours… a few days at the most, we would have calmed down and adjusted to the new reality of the good news we have received . On the other hand, if we get very bad news, someone may get upset and even cry. But again, as time passes, hours to days, the pain eases and we begin to feel better. So essentially spikes (both positive and negative) can occur, but they usually fall back to the normal range within hours to days.

Abnormal mood states or mood disturbances occur when there is a sharp increase or severe decrease in mood, which then lasts for a very long time – in contrast to the usual transient fluctuations of everyday life. So there are two things that distinguish mood disorders: the severity of the symptoms and the length of time such symptoms last.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

This is a common mood disorder affecting 1% of the adult population. It often begins during adolescence, usually between the ages of 15 and 24. It is mainly characterized by mood swings, from a high feeling of being very happy and elated; to a nadir of feeling sad and depressed at different times.

The high periods (mania) are characterized by feeling very elated, happy and good for no specific reason. Other symptoms include feelings of exaggerated importance and an unusually high overestimation of their abilities and powers (greatness). For example, they may become excessively generous, spend lavishly – even when they don’t really have much, engage in risky behaviors such as speeding, and may also exhibit sexual disinhibition. Other features are full of energy, restlessness and decreased need for sleep. They may also have racing thoughts, talk excessively, and be full of new and “brilliant” ideas.

The low periods (depression), on the other hand, are characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue and lack of energy, hopelessness, guilt and concentration problems. They may also be extremely tearful – for no particular reason, may experience decreased appetite and may also become so despondent that they begin harboring suicidal thoughts as a viable option outside of their ‘perceived’ miserable existence.

What Are the Symptoms of Mania and Hypomania?

Hyperactivity and restlessness

Extreme feelings of elation or state of happiness

Racing thoughts and talking really fast

Decreased need for sleep

Exaggerated and unrealistic beliefs about one’s abilities and powers

Symptoms last much longer, which is clearly different from usual behavior patterns.

Social disinhibition and overfamiliarity with strangers.

Excessive spending and excessive generosity.

Symptoms of depression include:

Persistent feelings of sadness and misery

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

Decreased energy and feeling tired all the time

Difficulty paying attention and concentrating on tasks

Sleep disorders (oversleeping or too little sleep)

Loss of appetite

Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.

Other symptoms may include:

Hallucinations (hearing, seeing or otherwise sensing the presence of things that are not really there and cannot be perceived by others).

Delusions (false, unshakable, and strongly held beliefs that resist logical reasoning and cannot be explained by one’s usual cultural or religious practices).

Difficulty communicating due to pressured and excessive speech (mania) or due to slow and very low speech (depression)

Causes

A combination of genetic, psychological, and social factors often work together to manifest the disorder. For example, most people with bipolar disorder usually have a family member with a history of mood disorder. Periods of stress, but also work, financial or family problems can precipitate an episode.

Therapy

Treatment usually requires a combination of medications and the use of psychotherapy. If you suspect that you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, see a psychiatrist for an evaluation and subsequent treatment plan.

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