Do you sometimes feel like you have so much joy and energy in your body that you could conquer the world? But at the same time, do you feel like you can't do anything and that you're bored with life? It's not normal to have feelings of happiness and sadness like this constantly changing between the sky and the earth. This can be a symptom of a mental illness called bipolar disorder . This is not just sadness or happiness, as many people think. It's a much more serious condition that requires treatment.
What is Bipolar Disorder in simple terms?
Simply put, Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person's mood, energy level, and activity levels fluctuate rapidly between extremes. It was also previously called 'Manic Depression'. It has two main extremes.
1. Mania: This is a state of extreme happiness and energy. You feel like you can do anything.
2. Depression : In this state, the mind feels extremely sad, depressed, and has a feeling of being bored with life.
Although this condition can develop at any age, it most often begins in young adulthood, between the ages of 18 and 25. It also has a genetic influence. This means that if someone in the family has this disease, others are at some risk of developing it too.
The most important thing is that, although this disease cannot be completely cured, it can be managed well enough to prevent the recurrence of these manic and depressive episodes and allow you to live a normal life.
Let's identify the symptoms of the two main cases of this disease.
It's important to be aware of the two main symptoms of this condition, so you can quickly identify if you or someone you know is experiencing one.
| Depressive Phase - The time of the deepest sadness | Manic Phase - A period of heightened happiness and loss of control |
|---|---|
| Being sad all the time, having low self-esteem, and crying all the time. | Unusual, uncontrollable joy or irritability. |
| Feeling lethargic, lacking interest in anything, and extreme fatigue. | Talking non-stop, feeling like thoughts are racing inside your head. |
| Having no interest in doing things you used to enjoy (e.g. watching TV, meeting friends) now. | Thinking unusually highly of oneself, thinking that one has special powers (grandiose thoughts). |
| Insomnia or sleeping too much. | Unusual energy, feeling tired even after working all day, and not getting enough sleep. |
| Changes in appetite (eating a lot at once or not eating at all). | Impulsiveness: acting without considering the consequences. For example, spending large amounts of money at once, engaging in risky ventures, and driving fast. |
| Thoughts of ending your life. | Seeing or hearing things that are not really there (hallucinations), believing false things (delusions). |
| Feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and guilt. | Unusual increase in sexual interest and engagement in risky sexual behavior. |
What are 'Mixed Features'?
Imagine, sometimes both these manic and depressive features can appear at the same time. That is, while the mind feels very energetic and happy, it can also be accompanied by a great deal of sadness and a feeling of being bored with life. This is a very distressing and confusing experience for the patient. We call this 'Mixed Features'.
How is bipolar disorder treated?
There are two main treatments for managing this condition: medication and counseling. The best results are achieved when these two are used together.
1. Medication :
The main type of medication given for this is mood stabilizers . These medications control the two extremes of mania and depression, keeping the mood stable at a normal level. Sometimes, the doctor has to add other medications to these medications to control the manic phase or to help you recover from the depressive phase.
Very important: All of these medications should be taken under the supervision of a psychiatrist. It is never a good idea to start, stop, or change the dosage of medication on your own. Doing so may worsen the condition.
2. Psychotherapy :
Counseling is as important as medication. It involves helping the patient understand their condition, teaching them how to cope with the stresses of daily life, and encouraging them to take their medication correctly.
How does psychological counseling help?
Counseling can be done in different ways.
1. Individual Counseling
This involves a one-on-one conversation between the patient and a counselor or psychiatrist . Here, the patient discusses personal issues, difficulties in accepting the illness, and ways to manage symptoms, and seeks solutions.
2. Family Counseling
Bipolar Disorder affects not only the patient, but also their entire family. In our country's culture, family support is a very valuable thing. In family counseling, the family is taught about this disease. When a symptom is about to appear, the family is also educated on how to recognize it early and how to support the patient.
3. Group Counseling
This is about coming together with a few other people who have similar conditions and sharing their experiences and feelings. It's a great strength when you realize that you're not the only one suffering from a similar problem. You can learn a lot from how others deal with their problems.
Can bipolar disorder be completely cured?
The straight answer to this is "no". Bipolar Disorder is not a completely curable disease. But , don't be afraid of it. With the right treatment, that is, taking the right medication and counseling , this disease can be very successfully controlled and you can definitely live a normal, happy life like everyone else.
Since this is a lifelong condition, it is essential to take your medication as prescribed by your doctor and to attend your appointments on time . If you stop taking your medication, the chances of your condition getting worse are very high. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself and your family and continue with your treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Bipolar Disorder is not just a feeling of sadness or happiness. It is a serious, treatable mental illness that causes mood swings.
- The two main phases of this are mania and depression. Being aware of these symptoms can be very helpful in early detection of the disease.
- Although this disease cannot be completely cured, it can be successfully controlled and a normal life can be led with medication and psychotherapy.
- Never start, stop, or change the dosage of any medication without consulting a doctor. It can be very dangerous.
- Support from family and society is very important for the patient. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, do not scare them, but encourage them to seek medical advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න