Bipolar I is a psychological condition that used to be called manic depression. Bipolar I is a type of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abnormal presence of euphoria and episodes of depression.
Bipolar I disorder causes the individual to have a manic or mixed episode. A manic episode causes inflated self-importance, euphoria, racing thoughts, irritability, poor judgment, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and impulsivity. Mania often causes the person to talk more or faster than usual.
Episodes of mania can cause hallucinations and delusions. Unlike the seemingly random hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions from mania are related to the inflated self-esteem and grandiosity that mania causes. The person may have a delusional belief that they are invincible or have superpowers.
Mixed episodes are combinations of mania and depression. A person may literally feel depressed, helpless, and hopeless one minute, and practically invincible the next. The switching between depressed and manic symptoms during a mixed episode may occur over minutes, hours, or days.
Experiencing a manic or mixed episode is what separates Bipolar I disorder from the other types of bipolar disorder. If a person with Bipolar II has their first mixed or manic episode, their diagnosis is likely to be changed to Bipolar I.
Treatment for Bipolar I disorder often includes both medication and cognitive therapy. Mood-stabilizing medications such as Depakote are often used to help even out the persons mood and prevent manic episodes.
Sometimes, people close to those with bipolar disorder become frustrated with the symptoms and expect the person with bipolar disorder to stop the symptoms. The individual with bipolar disorder cannot will the symptoms away just like someone with heart disease cannot make the condition go away.
For some people, the Bipolar I disorder causes very few problems while for others it may cause a daily struggle. A person with Bipolar I disorder may have different levels of severity in their lifetime. One episode may be severe while a previous one may have been mild.
Even if the person is taking their medication and actively participating in therapy, there may be a relapse of symptoms. If the symptoms return or worsen, the person should notify their mental health professionals.
Bipolar I disorder causes the individual to have a manic or mixed episode. A manic episode causes inflated self-importance, euphoria, racing thoughts, irritability, poor judgment, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, and impulsivity. Mania often causes the person to talk more or faster than usual.
Episodes of mania can cause hallucinations and delusions. Unlike the seemingly random hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions from mania are related to the inflated self-esteem and grandiosity that mania causes. The person may have a delusional belief that they are invincible or have superpowers.
Mixed episodes are combinations of mania and depression. A person may literally feel depressed, helpless, and hopeless one minute, and practically invincible the next. The switching between depressed and manic symptoms during a mixed episode may occur over minutes, hours, or days.
Experiencing a manic or mixed episode is what separates Bipolar I disorder from the other types of bipolar disorder. If a person with Bipolar II has their first mixed or manic episode, their diagnosis is likely to be changed to Bipolar I.
Treatment for Bipolar I disorder often includes both medication and cognitive therapy. Mood-stabilizing medications such as Depakote are often used to help even out the persons mood and prevent manic episodes.
Sometimes, people close to those with bipolar disorder become frustrated with the symptoms and expect the person with bipolar disorder to stop the symptoms. The individual with bipolar disorder cannot will the symptoms away just like someone with heart disease cannot make the condition go away.
For some people, the Bipolar I disorder causes very few problems while for others it may cause a daily struggle. A person with Bipolar I disorder may have different levels of severity in their lifetime. One episode may be severe while a previous one may have been mild.
Even if the person is taking their medication and actively participating in therapy, there may be a relapse of symptoms. If the symptoms return or worsen, the person should notify their mental health professionals.
About the Author:
Sheila Wilson explains what are the common cognitive therapy for bipolar disorder and how to spot bipolar disorder in children in the early days. For details please visit her website to read on further.
