BIPOL AR

DISORDER

BY: ALEXA JULIAN

WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?
• A brain disorder that causes abnormal changes in mood, functionality, and
vitality
• Bipolar I Disorder: severe manic symptoms lasting at least 7 days,
depressive episodes lasting at least 2 weeks
• Bipolar II Disorder: depressive and hypomanic episodes, but not extreme
manic symptoms of Disorder 1
• Cyclothymic Disorder: periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms
lasting for at least 2 years each, but are not extreme enough to be actual
manic/depressive episodes
• Other Specified/Unspecified Bipolar Related Disorders: bipolar
symptoms that don’t fall into any of the previous categories
• All types are specifically characterized by manic and depressive symptoms
SYMPTOMS
MANIC EPISODES DEPRESSIVE EPISODES
• Feeling extremely elated • Feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety
• Increased energy etc.
• No energy
• Feeling “jumpy”
• Irregular sleeping schedule
• Having trouble sleeping or staying
• Having trouble staying focused
focused
• Being forgetful or distracted
• Talking or doing things very fast
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Being easily bothered
• Feeling exhausted
• Thoughts are scattered
• Suicidal thoughts
• Overestimating your abilities
• Doing hazardous things
CAUSES
• Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause, but have been able to identify certain
factors
• Neurochemical factors: B.D. occurs due to the dysfunction of
neurotransmitters in the brain
– Chemicals include serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline
• Environmental factors: B.D. can lie dormant and be activated by a major
event or be worsened by substance abuse
• Genetic factors: about half the people with B. D. have a mood-related
disorder in their family
– Your risk increases if a parent(s) or twin has B.D.
• Bipolar Disorder can spread through genetics or possibly be
activated/intensified by drugs, but it is not contagious
TREATMENTS
• Medication and psychotherapy
• Medications include: mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics,
antidepressants
• Psychotherapy: a variety of treatment techniques used to help a
person identify and improve upon troubling feelings
– Includes cognitive behavioral therapy and family-focused therapy
• Bipolar Disorder is a manageable condition
– It itself isn’t fatal, but can make you more likely to perform
dangerous actions (suicide)
STATISTICS
• Approximately 5.7 million adult Americans are bipolar
• 6th leading cause of disability in the world
• Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression and
men are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia
• The average lifespan of someone with B.D. is about 9.2 years less
than average
• About 1/3 of young people diagnosed with depression may actually
be experiencing B.D.
SOURCES
• “Bipolar Disorder.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml.
• “Bipolar Disorder Statistics.” Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, DSBA,
secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?pagename=education_statistics_bip
olar_disorder.
• Bressert, S. “Causes of Bipolar Disorder.” Psych Central, 20 Sept. 2017,
psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/bipolar-disorder-causes/.