Bipolar Disorder A Mental Illness Caused By A Person s...

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness caused by a chemical imbalance in a person’s brain. Bipolar disorder can causes mood swings that can be both manic and or hypomanic, changes in sleep patterns, energy and overall behavior of a person. An individual’s environment can either hinder or aid in coping with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. A manic episode lasts for at least one week and consist of increased goal-oriented energy, along with overly confident and excited feelings. These feelings may cause reckless or impulsive decisions. Many people experiencing manic episodes are known to have delusions or hallucinations. Manic episodes, mood changes include an overly happy or outgoing mood, a period of feeling ‘high’ and extreme†¦show more content†¦The three types of bipolar disorder are Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymic. Bipolar I is at least one manic episodes that lasted at least seven days, usually requiring immediate hospitalization. The m anic episode may be followed by major depressive or hypomanic episodes. Bipolar II is at least one major depressive episode that last at least two weeks, followed by at least one hypomanic episode lasting at least four days. The erratic mood swings and behavior cause difficulty in areas of a person s life. The Cyclothymic disorder, is when a person has experienced numerous periods of hypomania linked with periods of depressive symptoms, in at least two years. Symptoms appear half the time and will be present for two months. Bipolar disorder is not easily diagnosed and can go without detection for years. Signs of bipolar disorder often appear in mid to late teens or early adult years. Many symptoms such as mood swings can lead to poor performance in a job or school, damaging relationship and even suicide if not treated. When treated with the correct balance of medications and psychotherapy, people with bipolar disorder can control their mood swings and other symptoms. Finding the correct medication is difficult. Many people with bipolar