Bipolar Syndrome, Bipolar Information, Signs of Bipolar and Bipolar Condition

For further information on Bipolar Treatments and Help Visit Bipolar Disorder Uncovered

History of Bipolar

The history of bipolar disorder dates back many centuries although it has only been in fairly recent times that the term ‘bipolar disorder’ has been used.

The documented history of bipolar disorder dates back as far as the time of ancient Greece, over 2000 years ago. Even then the extremes of mood - melancholia (depression) and mania were clearly identified - as remitting fluctuating illnesses.

It was Aretaeus of Cappadocia, a celebrated Greek physician, who first put forward that these extremes of mood were a part of the same illness, but it is not until much later that this view gained momentum.

In Paris during the 18th Century there were significant changes to how people with a mental illness were being cared for. With more compassionate treatment, the importance of observing and documenting illnesses was also emphasized, and the connection between mania and depression was again revived. This only occurred due to detailed clinical records that enabled some important re-connections to be made.

In the 1850’s the French psychiatrist Jean-Pierre Falret noted bipolar disorder as a "folie circulaire" - highlighting the circular nature of bipolar disorder, with changes from mania to depression. "Folie" in French refers to mania, madness, craziness or insanity, with the literal translation being ‘circular insanity’.

Around the same time Jules Baillarger a French neurologist described these extreme mood changes as being merely different phases of the same illness "folli a double forme", translated as ‘dual-form insanity’.

The German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in 1899 first used the term manic depressive illness to describe these phases. However, it wasn’t until much later that another German, Karl Kleist, in 1953 separated out unipolar depression where there are no periods of mania or hypomania, and the term bipolar disorder was born.

For more articles on Bipolar Disorder and for an Online Bipolar Self Help Program visit MoodSwings.

By Sue Lauder
Published: 8/22/2008

For further information on Bipolar Treatments and Help Visit Bipolar Disorder Uncovered 

Encouraging a Family Member with Bipolar to Get Help - Bipolar Beat

Syndicated from the Bipolar Blog Susan Asks… I believe that my sister is bipolar. She has all the symptoms. She is 36 and has two kids.

Depressed? Maybe you have Bipolar Disorder!

Everyday life for most people can be very routine. For most people the day may start by going to work, attend meetings and meet many different people.

 
Bipolar disorder - Can it affect anyone?

Bipolar disorder is a serious yet treatable illness. It is one of the very many mental disorders that is quite common nowadays. It can greatly affect a person’s vocational and social development

Bipolar Disorder Mania

Persons suffering from bipolar need to realize they are not alone. Their condition can be controlled with a proper treatment plan.

Bipolar 2: What Is It and How Can It Be Treated?

Bipolar 2 is a psychiatric disorder just as the more well-known bipolar 1 is, but it differs significantly from bipolar 1.

Technorati Tags: bi polar, bipolar, history, history of bipolar, mental, mental bipolar

For Further Information on Bipolar Treatments and Help Visit Bipolar Disorder Uncovered

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is also called as manic depression or manic-depressive illness. Know about bipolar disorder symptoms.

Bipolar is one of the types of mood disorder associated with brain. It causes unusual shifts in energy, mood and ability of a person. It is also referred to as manic depression. It involves recurrent episodes of depression and mania, which recur across the lifespan.

A person suffering from bipolar disease often experiences mood instability, depression and extreme mood swings. One time, they may feel very sad, worthless, helpless, despairing and hopeless and another time, they may feel like creative, hyperactive and on the top of the world. This disease is named as bipolar disorder because the mood of a person with bipolar disorder alternates between totally different extremities, such as extreme sadness and euphoric happiness. There are two types of bipolar disorder such as Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder. The first type involves episodes of severe mood swings, while the second type is a milder form. Cyclothymia is a mild bipolar disorder.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not known. However, various genetic, biochemical and environmental factors are supposed to be involved in triggering bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder have some physical and chemical changes in the brain. Neurotransmitters, naturally occurring brain chemicals, contribute in developing bipolar disorder. Hormonal imbalance is also responsible for this disorder. This disease may be due to a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are characterized by alternate patterns of depression and mania. The symptoms may vary mild to severe from person to person. There are different symptoms of bipolar disorder in maniac phase and depressive phase.

Manic Phase of Bipolar Disorder

A person in the maniac phase may feel very energetic, creative and hyperactive. Some of the common signs of mania are increased activity and gestures, inflated self-esteem, poor temper control, poor judgment and pressured speech. The major symptoms of manic phase are:

• Extreme optimism
• Agitation
• Euphoria
• Inflated self-esteem
• Rapid speech
• Aggressive behavior
• Racing thoughts
• Risky behavior
• Spending sprees
• Increased physical activity
• Increased sexual drive
• Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
• Decreased need for sleep
• Inability to concentrate
• Tendency to be easily distracted
• Drug abuse

Depressive Phase in Bipolar Disorder

Some people may experience more episodes of depressive phase than maniac phase. Some of the general signs of depression are excessive worry, sadness, crying spells and social withdrawal. Some major symptoms of depressive phase are as follows:

• Hopelessness
• Sadness
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Guilt
• Appetite problems
• Fatigue
• Problems in concentration
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Chronic pain due to unknown reason

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are serious and can affect entire life of a person. Bipolar depression may result in damaged relationships, marital problems, poor performance in school or at job, and even suicide. Hence, it is very essential to seek an appropriate treatment immediately. Bipolar disorder can be diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms. Bipolar disorder treatment focuses on stabilizing mood swings and managing the symptoms. It can be treated with different medications such as lithium, carbamazepine, valproic acid, etc. Various therapies such as psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and group therapy are found to be helpful the people with bipolar disorder.

By Reshma Jirage
Published: 11/13/2008

For Further Information on Bipolar Treatments and Help Visit Bipolar Disorder Uncovered 

 
Bipolar Disorder Support Groups

A person suffering from bipolar mania may find it awfully difficult to cope with the sickness and function in their everyday life including their social relationships.

Bipolar genetic tests

Unlike many tests for other conditions on the market, Psynomics does not claim its bipolar test can predict a person’s risk of developing the disorder later in life.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder. A psychiatric disorder characterized by at least one episode of mania and often involving dramatic "mood swings"

Bipolar at work

The case revolved around my Bipolar and my ability to look my her children due to the nature of my condition.

Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder: Gene Link?

The largest study ever to track bipolar disorder and schizophrenia within families.

Technorati Tags: bi polar, bi polar diagnosis, bipolar tests, condition, diagnosis, disorder, mental, symptoms, symptoms of bi polar