It is thought that Bipolar runs in families, and is passed on through genetics, since two thirds of people with manic-depressive illness have at least one relative that suffers from the disorder or with serious depression. One theory on the cause of Bipolar suggests that the illness is initially triggered by a certain stressful event in ones life. Since each episode causes changes in the brain, with each episode the likelihood of another one occurring greatly increases. Faulty nerve transmission also may be a cause of Bipolar, Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate may be involved. .
What Bipolar Disorder Is.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is a mood disorder, and is much less common as depression, although it involves depression. Bipolar disorder involves major ups and downs, meaning that a person with bipolar will go through a phase of severe depression, and then a phase of mania (the opposite of depression) with periods of normal moods in between. .
People who suffer from bipolar live extremely distressing and disruptive lives. Bipolar is the third most common mood disorder next to depression and dysthymic disorder. The consequences of this disorder are extreme; the disease can lead to divorce, unemployment, and alcohol and drug abuse. The patient, the doctor, or family and friends unfortunately do not usually recognize when someone is suffering from Bipolar. .
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Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder.
Mania :.
v Feeling extremely happy or irritable.
v Inflated self esteem.
v Not needing as much sleep as usual.
v Talkativeness.
v Being more active then usual.
v Racing thoughts.
v Difficulty concentrating.
v Being easily distracted by sights and sounds.
v Acting impulsively.
v Doing reckless things.
Depression:.
v Slowed thoughts and speech due to low energy.
v Difficulty concentrating.
v Difficulty making decisions and remembering normal things.