There may be occasions when we feel happy for no apparent reason and want to sing and dance for joy. There are also times when all of us feel melancholic or sad. Mood swings are present in a lot of people but they do not happen everyday and not without reason. But in cases where people are ecstatic one moment then all of sudden fall into the depths of depression, then there is the possibility that they may be suffering from bipolar disease with bipolar symptoms present. There are false myths about bipolar disease and bipolar symptoms harbored by most people and that is why the truth about bipolar disorder must be known.
What Bipolar Disorder Really Is
Bipolar disorder is also popularly known as manic depression. As the name indicates, the symptoms of this disorder are characterized with periods of euphoria or mania alternating with periods of depression. These periods are not just fleeting phases. They last for hours, days and months. Moreover these radical mood changes also hamper the ability of the individual to lead a normal day to day life.
A burst of energy may be felt by the patient in the mania phase and he may paint, quit his job, sing and dance or even shop like a madman. Feelings of euphoria for no apparent reason are the characteristics of the mania phase.
Alternatively, symptoms of low or no energy is what can be experienced by patients in the depression phase. Symptoms also include being very lethargic for no reason, being completely depressed and wallowing about everything.
Bipolar Disorder has become a common affliction these days with 3% of the adult population in the US affected. Even though the disease has been linked to genetics and family history, researchers are striving to ascertain the actual causes.
Bipolar disorder symptoms are known to eventuate in the late teenage and early adult years and most people initially look at bipolar symptoms in teens as typical adolescent behavior. When this happens, people tend to take no notice of them making the symptoms worse. From this we can clearly see that an early prognosis of the disease is needed to allow for any possibility of a normal life for the patient.
People suffering from bipolar disease and the bipolar symptoms were often referred to as “mad” in the early days. Another perception was that they were possessed by evil spirits. However, many of these myths have been shattered with the advancement of technology.
Here are some old myths about bipolar disorder which were prevalent till recently:
Having Bipolar Disorder doesn’t give you the opportunity for a normal life – With the increasing number of bipolar disorder sufferers around the world having children, a great family and a perfectly normal life, we can clearly see that this statement is false. A capability to cope and manage the symptoms and a good support system is all that is required.
Sufferers of bipolar disorder cycle between mania and depression – Even though there is an occurrence of both these episodes, depression phases happen more frequently than mania. Mania is hardly noticeable most of the time because it is so mild. There can also be cases where no symptoms are experienced by patients for a long period of time.
Medicines and therapy can be used to treat bipolar disease and bipolar symptoms. But even with these conventional cures, the unconditional love and support of loved ones is very important in ensuring a normal life for someone suffering from the disease.
