Previously known as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is an illness of the brain that causes unusual shifts in mood, activity levels, and energy levels. It is a disorder that can quickly change a persons everyday life.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health bipolar affective disorder affects 5.7 million American adults and on average a person develops bipolar disorder around the age of 25.
This type of mental illness is a long-term condition that can be controlled by proper medical treatment including medication. It is important to note that most medications however could lead to side-effects and cause further physical and mental problems.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a dangerous drug used for treating bipolar disorder, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. Contact a leading Cincinnati personal injury lawyer at our law firm today for help with your claim. Ph: (877) 288-3241.
Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown and many times the symptoms are confused with other types of illnesses. Due to the large amount of bipolar indicators some medical doctors may incorrectly diagnose individuals, which can further complicate the disorder.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be segmented into two categories, manic and depressive. Some common symptoms of the manic phase include:
- Inflated Self-Esteem
- Poor Judgment
- Being Easily Distracted
- Restlessness
- Inability to Sleep
- Behaving Impulsively
- Long Periods of Overly Outgoing Moods
The symptoms experienced during a depressive phase are nearly the opposite of manic and include:
- Loss of Interest in Activities
- Difficulty Concentrating or Recalling Events, Names, Places, etc.
- Irritability
- Feeling Tired
- Thoughts of Suicide, or Death
Bipolar disorder symptoms can range from severe, to moderate, to normal moods and levels where a person may not exhibit any extreme symptoms. However, during extreme states of manic or depression a person may also experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations.
Anyone who believes they may be suffering from bipolar disorder should seek medical assistance immediately to diagnose and treat their disorder or illness.
Diagnosing this type of disorder can be very difficult and doctors will usually perform a physical examination, run lab tests, and interview a patient to rule out any other causes of the symptoms. The patient may also be referred to a mental health professional that specializes in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.
After a complete diagnostic evaluation if bipolar disorder is diagnosed treatment options will be provided. Bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment as there is no cure for this illness.
Most often a treatment plan will include psychotherapy and medication to control the symptoms. Some common forms of medication might include:
- Mood Stabilizing Prescriptions Lithium, Depakote, Topamax, etc.
- Antipsychotic Medications Zyprexa, Abilify, etc.
- Antidepressants Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, etc.
The type of drugs prescribed can vary from person to person. Unfortunately many of these prescriptions do cause side-effects and some patients may have to switch medications to find the one that suits them best.