Doesn't your mind stop at one place? Let's learn about (Bipolar Disorder)

Do you sometimes feel so happy and energetic that you can conquer the world? But other days you feel so sad and helpless that you can't even get out of bed? It's not normal for your emotions to suddenly go up and down like this. This can be a symptom of a mental condition called ` bipolar disorder` . Let's talk about this simply and calmly today.

What exactly is 'Bipolar Disorder'?

Simply put, Bipolar Disorder is a condition in which a person's mood, energy level, and activity levels fluctuate abnormally between two extremes. Like a clock's hands swinging rapidly from one side to the other. These two extremes are what we call manic episodes and depressive episodes .

• Mania: This is a period of extreme happiness, energy, and activity. During this time, a person feels like they can do anything. This state can last for at least a week.
• Depression : This is a period of extreme sadness, sadness, and a complete loss of energy. During this period, there is a feeling of disappointment in life and a lack of interest in doing anything. This state can last for at least two weeks at a time.

Let's clearly distinguish the symptoms of these two cases.

Sometimes both manic and depressive symptoms can occur at the same time. This means that a person may feel high energy while also feeling overwhelming sadness. We call this an 'episode with mixed features' .

Another thing is ' rapid cycling' . This doesn't mean feeling sad one moment and happy the next. It's a pattern of four or more episodes of mania, depression, or mixed mood in a year.

Why does something like this happen?

Although the exact cause of bipolar disorder is still unknown, scientists have confirmed that it has a genetic link . This means that it can also affect families. Research has found that this condition is caused by abnormalities in the functioning of certain brain circuits. Environmental factors also affect this.

The main influencing factors are:

• Severe stress
• Alcohol or drug use
• Insufficient sleep

Who is most at risk for this condition?

Bipolar Disorder is a condition that can affect both men and women, regardless of race or social class. However, there are some subtle differences .

• Women can experience both 'rapid cycling' and depressive episodes. Often, this condition first appears as a depressive episode for a woman.
• For men, this condition may first appear as a manic episode.
• Although this disease can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen around the age of 25 .

Is this a hereditary disease?

Yes, there is a genetic predisposition to this. That is, if someone in the family has bipolar disorder or depression, there is a certain risk that others will also develop it.

• If one parent has this condition, there is a 10%-25% risk of a child developing it.
• If both parents have it, the risk increases to 10%-50% .
• If a non-identical twin has it, the other twin has a 10%-25% risk of developing it.

But the most important thing to understand here is that this is not something that is determined by genes alone . This is very clear from research done on identical twins. Even if their genes are 100% identical, if one twin has Bipolar Disorder, the other twin has a 40%-70% chance of developing it. If genes alone were the culprit, it should be 100%, right?

This means that in addition to genetic predisposition, environmental and lifestyle factors also play a role . Scientists believe that it is not a single gene, but a combination of several genes and environmental factors.

Do our lifestyle habits affect this?

Absolutely yes. Certain habits can worsen the condition of someone with Bipolar Disorder.

• Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep is a major cause of a manic episode.
• Alcohol and drugs: Research shows that about 50% of people with bipolar disorder are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Some use them to cope with their sadness, while others use them to cope with their manic episodes. Both of these things can make the situation worse.
• Certain medications: In particular, antidepressants can cause manic episodes if used alone, that is, without other medications prescribed by your doctor. Therefore, it is very important to take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Does stress increase risk?

Think about it, some people develop allergies to pollen. But not everyone develops allergies to pollen. Only those who are predisposed to it develop them. Stress is the same.

Stress does not cause bipolar disorder. However, if someone has a genetic predisposition to it, severe stress can trigger the condition.

For example:

• Starting a new job or losing a job.
• Getting married.
• Death of a family member.
• Situations of intense pressure, such as exams.

Therefore, knowing good ways to manage the stresses of life is very important to control this situation.

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