Bipolar Disorder: The Causes, Effects and Treatment of Manic Depression

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression, is one of the most fascinating, interesting, and awful mental disorders to observe in people. You can see how the disorder affects the person’s behavior and interactions with people and the outside world. It is a relatively common disorder and it isn’t uncommon to personally know someone that has Bipolar Disorder. Having it means a constant cycle of mania and depression that is seemingly endless in either direction. With the person feeling greater euphoria only to be met with greater depressive states.

The disorder affects 5.7 million Americans, which is about 2.6% of the US population. The disorder can begin during early childhood and can develop throughout the late 40’s and 50’s. Women and men are equally able to obtain the illness. It is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world. People with Bipolar Disorder have a 9.2 year reduction in expected life span, due to suicidal actions. The concern for self-harm is prevalent during the dark depressive states people with Bipolar suffer from. As many as one in five patients with the disorder successfully commit suicide.

While it is believed to be transmitted through heredity and genetics, a few other studies were conducted that had some slight variation in possible causes. One study that was conducted concluded that if one parent has the disorder the child is at a 15-30% risk in also developing the illness. The study also claims that if both parents have Bipolar, the child is at a 50-75% risk of developing the illness. When someone within your nuclear family has Bipolar you are at a tenfold greater risk of also getting the disease. Another study linked obtaining the disease from abnormalities in the structure of brain circuits. Finally a third study concluded that people with Bipolar are often the victim of traumatic and abusive experiences in childhood.

There is no cure available for Bipolar disorder, however it is medically manageable and patients can combat the illness. Medical prescriptions like Fluoxetine, Quetiapine, and Lithobid are some antidepressants that help to ease the symptoms of depression. Psychoeducation and psychotherapy are some great ways to treat the symptoms as well. Talking with other people that have Bipolar can be a great way to combat the illness, knowing that other people are out there and fighting the same battle you are. However if the patient is destructive or simply cannot live on their own while managing it, hospitalization may be required.

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