Bipolar Disorder: 10 characteristics and curiosities you didn’t know about

Science reveals several lesser-known aspects of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is one of the best known psychological disorders. However, the little or no information that some people have had access to means that they do not really know what bipolar disorder is or have a misconception about its characteristics.

For example, there is the myth that bipolar has to do with displaying multiple personalities over time, constantly changing tastes and hobbies, or generally having chaotic behavior. Of course, the concept of bipolar disorder has nothing to do with this ambiguous conception of this mental disorder.

That is why, in today's article we have set out to draw up a list of 10 points characteristic of this pathology that, in general, people do not know or confuse.

What is Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, as mentioned above, is one of the most well-known mental disorders in the population (if only because of the name), and is a pathology that affects how an individual feels, thinks and acts.. Its characteristic feature is the exaggerated changes in mood, as, generally, a person goes through a manic and a depressive phase. These changes occur in a cyclical manner, passing through stages of mania y depression to the point of leaving the person partially incapacitated for certain things and/or with a seriously compromised quality of life.

Bipolar disorder is a serious disorder, which has nothing to do with simple emotional ups and downs, as is often heard. The cycles of this pathology can last days, weeks or months, and seriously damage the health, work and personal relationships of the person who suffers from it.

Bipolar Disorder is a serious psychopathology.

Due to its severity, this pathology can rarely be treated without medication, as it is necessary to stabilize the patient's mood. The treatment is usually characterized by the administration of Lithiumalthough other drugs may be used for treatment, such as valproatevalproate, carbamazepine carbamazepine or olanzapine.

In the mania phase, the person is able to get into debt, quit his job, feel very energetic and sleep only two hours a day.. The same person, during the depressive phase, may feel so bad that he/she cannot even get out of bed. There are several types of bipolar disorder, and its milder form is called cyclothymia.

• You can read more about cyclothymia if you visit our post: "Cyclothymia: the mild version of bipolar disorder".

10 characteristics you don't know about Bipolar Disorder

That said, there are certain beliefs about this disorder that are not true and that, in order for you to better understand this pathology, you can find in the following list.

1. Bipolar disorder is not emotional instability.

It is possible that some time, before a fight with your partner, he/she has told you that "you are a little bipolar" because you have changed your mood suddenly. Well, you should know that this behavior is quite common, especially in relationships. In these situations, emotions run high and, since no one is perfect, you may react impulsively.

It can also happen that you are in a period of your life when everything changes very quickly and you don't really know what you want. So it is important not to confuse instability with instability. it is important not to confuse emotional instability with bipolar disorder, because the latter is a real disorder.because the latter is a really serious disorder that should be treated as soon as possible.

2. The disorder may or may not be genetic... or not.

When a family member has bipolar disorder, there is a greater likelihood that another chances are greater that another family member will also have it.. However, several studies carried out on identical twins have shown that if one of them suffers from bipolar disorder, the other does not necessarily suffer from it as well. Both men and women can suffer from this psychopathology, which is commonly diagnosed around the age of 20.

As is almost always the case with mental health disorders, not all causes are environmental, not all causes are genetic, and even if we focus on the genetic component of bipolarity, we cannot find a single gene that is responsible for this phenomenon. There are several genes that, working together, raise or lower the likelihood of having bipolar disorder. Perhaps, in the future, knowing these genetic elements will make it possible to offer more effective treatments.

3. Different substances can cause this disorder to develop

The previous point shows the importance of genetic factors as one of the causes of bipolar disorder. But environmental factors, such as the use of psychoactive and pharmacological substances can cause this disorder to develop.. Among the use of medications and drugs that can cause bipolar disorder are:

• Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines, or marijuana.
• Thyroid medications and corticosteroids.

4. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to suffer from other illnesses

Thyroid problems, headaches, migraines, diabetes, heart problems and obesity are some of the negative consequences associated with bipolar disorder. Diseases that, in addition to the symptoms of mania and depression characteristic of this disorder, can increase the patient's suffering.

However, it is not clear whether these health problems are a consequence of the same genetic variations that favor the onset of bipolarity, or whether they are a consequence of the lifestyle of the average person with bipolar disorder. It is quite possible that it is due to a combination of both factors.

5. There are different variations of bipolar disorder

There are different types of bipolar disorder. They are as follows:

• CyclothymiaCyclothymia: The least severe version of this disorder. Its symptoms persist for at least two years, and it is characterized by mild phases of depression and hypomania.
• Bipolar Disorder Type IIt is characterized by the presence of episodes of mania or mixed. It is not essential that the subject suffers depressive episodes, although approximately 90% of the cases the patient goes through both phases.
• Type II Bipolar DisorderThis type of bipolar disorder is defined by the existence of depressive episodes and hypomania (less severe).
• Unspecified bipolar disorderThis is characterized by disorders with bipolar features that do not meet the criteria for either Type I or II bipolar disorder, such as recurrent hypomanic episodes without intercurrent depressive symptoms or a manic or mixed episode superimposed on a delusional disorder, residual schizophrenia, or an unspecified psychotic disorder.

There is also a subtype of rapid cycling (or rapid cycling) bipolar (or rapid-cycling) bipolar disorder, in which individuals have four or more episodes of major depression, hypomania, mania, or mixed states within a one-year period.

6. Manic and depressive states can occur simultaneously

The states of mania and depression can occur simultaneously, which is called a "mixed episode".It is not necessary for them to occur separately for a diagnosis to be made. For example, a person can have episodes of tears and sadness during a manic phase.

7. A person with bipolar disorder can be happy

Bipolar disorder is a serious pathology, and the person who suffers from it may see his or her quality of life diminished as a result. But in spite of this, thanks to the right treatment, it is possible to live a full and happy life, it is possible to live a full and happy life.. The administration of mood stabilizers and a control of the individual's lifestyle can significantly help his or her general well-being.

8. Bipolar disorder is not dissociative identity disorder (or multiple personality disorder).

These two disorders can be confused by the element of "different personalities". But what characterizes dissociative dissociative personality identity disorder is that two or more different identities or personalities is that there are two or more different identities or personalities in the person suffering from this pathology.

You can learn more about this disorder in our article: "Dissociative Personality Identity Disorder (DPID)".

9. Bipolar disorder can seriously worsen if left untreated.

It may sometimes be the individual himself who seeks help, but it can be difficult for him to carry out the it can be difficult for them to carry out the pharmacological treatment during the manic phase, as they tend to feel full of energy.The patient tends to feel full of energy. The patient is usually hospitalized when he/she is in the acute phase to keep him/her under control. If the person with bipolar disorder is not treated, his symptoms will worsen.

10. Celebrities who have suffered from bipolar disorder

Celebrities are not exempt from suffering from this disorder. De hecho, son varias las celebridades han hecho pública su bipolaridad. Por ejemplo, Catherine Zeta Jones, Demi Lovato, Jim Carrey o Macy Gray.

Referencias bibliográficas:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-R. Washington, D.C., American Psychiatric Association.
• Altshuler, L., L. Kiriakos, et al. (2001). The impact of Antidepressant discontinuation versus antidepressant continuation on 1-year risk for relapse of bipolar depression: a retrospective chart review. J Clin Psychiatry 62(8): 612-6.
• Mondimore, F. M. (1999). Bipolar disorder: a guide for patients and families. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Torrey, E. F. and Knable, M. B. (2002). Surviving manic depression : a manual on bipolar disorder for patients, families, and providers*.* New York, Basic Books.