Dealing with Bipolar Disorder
Steps you can take to manage your bipolar disorder

This condition, also called manic-depressive illness, may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. In short, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and if you have a parent who has bipolar disorder, you have a greater chance of having it. Both men and women can have bipolar disorder, and people of all ages can have it.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

People suffering from bipolar disorder may feel full of energy and very happy sometimes. The person might be energetic to the extreme, unable to rest or react normally. This state of excitement is called mania. On the flip side, this same person might feel sad and depressed, not wanting to do anything when he or she feels this way. This state is called depression. People with bipolar disorder can quickly go from mania to depression and back again.

Typical signs of mania include feeling very irritable or angry, thinking and talking so fast that other people can't follow your thoughts, not sleeping at all, feeling very powerful and important, having trouble concentrating, spending too much money, abusing alcohol and drugs, and/or having sex without being careful to prevent pregnancy or disease

Typical signs of depression include feeling no interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy, including sex, feeling sad or numb, crying easily or for no reason, feeling slowed down, or feeling restless and irritable, feeling worthless or guilty, experiencing changes in appetite; unintended change in weight, having trouble recalling things, concentrating or making decisions, experiencing headaches, backaches or digestive problems, having problems sleeping, or wanting to sleep all of the time, feeling tired all of the time, and having thoughts about death and suicide

Bipolar disorder treatment options

Bipolar disorder can be treated by your family doctor, although often your doctor will encourage you to go see a psychiatrist as well. Seeing different medical professionals will help you control your mood swings and manage bipolar disorder. Medicines treat bipolar disorder and stop the mood swings. Mood stabilizers even out the highs and lows in your mood. Antidepressant medicines, on the other hand, help reduce symptoms of depression.
Medications your doctors prescribe may not work right away. Be patient with your new medication, and you will soon notice a difference in your mood after a few weeks.
Although medication plays a large part in managing bipolar disorder, counseling can also help you cope with stress, family concerns and relationship problems. Medication and counseling work best in conjunction with one another.

You can take control of bipolar disorder by sticking to a regular schedule and routine, sleeping and waking at the same time every day. Eating meals at regular times helps too. You should avoid allergy medications and caffeinated drinks.