Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is also referred to as manic depression . It is a mood disorder that causes drastic changes in mood , thinking , behavior and energy . Patients will swing from the lows of depression on one extreme to the highs of mania at the other extreme . It is much more than a fleeting good or bad mood . These mood cycles can last for days or weeks or months . In addition , unlike regular mood swings , this affliction causes mood changes that are extremely intense thus interfering with one's ability to function properly . As a result of an intense swing , family life or work performance will suffer tremendously. During the highs of mania , a person might make a rash decision such as quit a job , spend huge amounts on their credit cards , or feel rested after just two hours of sleep . During the lows of depression , that same person can feel too tired to wake up . They may also feel full of hopelessness and start self-loathing over being in debt and unemployed .

The causes of Bipolar disorder are varied and many . Although the actual cause is unknown , there are several factors that are said to cause and trigger bipolar episodes :

• Neurotransmitters : imbalances in chemicals that occur naturally in the brain , also called neurotransmitters , appears to be a trigger of several mood disorders .
• Hormonal instability : an imbalance in hormones may also play a significant role in causing/triggering Bipolar disorder .
• Genetics : Bipolar disorder tends to run in families . Therefore , if one member of a family has the condition , another might have the condition . Genes that are said to cause bipolar disorder are still being studied .

Environmental factors : such as stress , abuse , or other traumatic experiences can also be a trigger. Biological differences : those who have bipolar disorder seem to have physical brain changes . It is not yet known if these changes have any significance but they may finally help to pinpoint the cause. Miscellaneous : other possible causes of bipolar disorder include risk factors like alcohol and drug abuse , periods of severe stress , death of a friend or family member. Research continues to try to find the exact causes of bipolar disorder . At this point in time it seems pretty clear that out of all of the aforementioned causes , an imbalance in neurotransmitters appears to be the leading cause . As such , current treatment measures include medications that enhance those transmitters which are responsible for a person's mood such as dopamine , seratonin and norepinephrine . Medications also aim to stop the breakdown and elimination of these neurotransmitters which in essence ,allows them to do a more efficient job .
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