Bipolar Disorder: beyond the ups and downs

People who suffer from bipolar disorder know from experience the "ups" and "downs"; the ups are periods of mania, and the lows are periods of depression. These swings can be severe, and can vary drastically from extreme energy to complete emptiness. However, with the proper treatment, symptoms of bipolar disorder can be controlled.

One of the most worrisome facts about bipolar disorder is that, for most people, it takes about 10 years from the onset of bipolar disorder until it’s correctly diagnosed. Meanwhile, they have a very difficult life.

Although currently there is no cure for bipolar disorder, in the strict sense of the term, it is possible to keep it fully asymptomatic in a large percentage of cases; in other cases, the treatment lessens it enough so as to lead an almost normal life, but with some relapses from time to time. However, some patients suffer a severe form of the illness that makes a normal life impossible, and renders them unable to work.

This disorder affects women and men alike. The causes are unknown, but hereditary and psychological factors may play a key role in its development.

People who have family members that suffer from depression or bipolar disorder are at a higher risk. The illness itself has no other known risk factors, but lack of sleep may predispose a person to the recurrence of the symptoms.

When the patient does not correctly follow treatment, consumes drugs, and does not accept the existence of the disorder, the prognosis is much worse. People with this disorder have learned to take advantage of the illness through developing the shades of creativity and leadership that can accompany it.