What is Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that manifests itself in a person through ups and downs in moods and energy levels. Many a time, it is confused with depression and sporadic mood swings. However, it must be understood that bipolar disorder is not a state of mind. It is a brain disorder - a mental illness which is long term. Till now, no permanent cure has been found for the same. What is it all about then read on!

Bipolar disorder causes the victims to swing between two entirely different moods. Sometimes, they might be extremely euphoric and excited. Other times, they will be melancholy and dejected. As the word bipolar rightly indicates, there are

two parts - mania and depression. Apart from mood swings, other symptoms include going on a spending spree, reduced need for sleep, increased feeling of sensuality and sexual drive, easy irritability, abysmal faith in oneself and so on. The disorder is fairly entrenched if there is an urge to commit suicide or lack of willingness to live. If you have any friends/relatives who keep talking about their lack of desire to live, then its time to rush them to a doctor.

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First - What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is the mental disorder in which the person suffering goes in extreme mood swings. So while he or she may be feeling depression at one moment they will feel mania or extreme sense of pleasure and heightened activity the other. This is a quite dangerous situation as the suicidal rates are almost double than that of normal depression and research also suggests that people suffering from this kind of disorder face worse depression than the people who suffer only depression.

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Seroquel is an anti-psychotic medication available only by prescription. Seroquel is the trade-name for the generic drug Quetiapine Fumarate.

Seroquel is used in the treatment of schizophrenia to control delusions, hallucinations, thought problems and difficulties connecting with reality. Seroquel may also be prescribed on a short-term basis for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder.

Seroquel dosage amounts vary depending on the patient’s condition and response to medication. Some patients find a relatively low dose to be effective, while others will require a much higher dose. To find the appropriate dosage for an individual, the prescribing doctor will start with a low dose and increase gradually until the desired result is achieved.

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Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder, or unipolar depression when compared to bipolar disorder) is a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual’s social functioning and/or activities of daily living. Depression affects people differently. Some feel down for extended periods of time; for others the feelings of depression come and go. Depression is a mood disorder that causes you to feel sad or hopeless for an extended period of time. More than just a bout of “the blues” or temporary feelings of grief or low energy. Many people identify the feeling of being clinically depressed as “feeling sad for no reason”, or “having no motivation to

do anything.” One suffering from depression may feel tired, sad, irritable, lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic.

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The key to a successful treatment of a bipolar disorder is the right diagnosis. Diagnosis may not be so easy because its symptoms are episodic. Thus, a comprehensive history is needed. Though it is a psychological illness, an exhaustive medical history and physical exam are also needed to rule out any physical cause of the symptoms of the mood disorder.

A detailed history taking and mental status examination is essential to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. A complete history of both the present and past symptoms must be taken. Generally, depressed patients experience psychomotor retardation and have decreased activity. They have a decreased rate and volume of speech. Some may have delusions and hallucinations. They have a pessimistic view

of themselves and of the world. Majority of them have attempted suicide or contemplated about it. In contrast, manic patients are very euphoric, excited and hyperactive. They are amusing to interview and they may sometimes even appear psychotic. They can have a low frustration tolerance and become very irritable.

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