Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, causes unusual shifts in mood, concentration, activity, and energy levels. It is a severe mental condition that, if left untreated, can adversely affect relationships, undermine career prospects, and compromise academic performance and eligibility. In some cases, it can lead to suicide.
Episodes of depression or euphoria can be severe but generally have periods of stability in between. Noradrenaline and serotonin are two brain chemical messengers that have been consistently linked to psychiatric mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
The primary cause of the bipolar disorder is unknown; however, several factors can contribute to it, such as:
● Genetics
Bipolar disorder is more prevalent among people who have a first-degree relative, such as an offspring, a sibling, or a parent, with this condition. It is stated that genetic factors are responsible for approximately 80% of the people with bipolar disorder.
○ If a single parent has the disorder, the child is 10% likely to develop it.
○ If both parents have the disorder, there's a 40% chance that their child will develop it.
● Hormonal changes
Hormonal imbalances in our body can trigger bipolar disorder. Changes in the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in the body can lead to bipolar disorder.
● Environmental factors
Mental stress, childhood abuse, neglect, verbal or physical abuse, and any kind of trauma can change brain structure and chemical function, which can lead to bipolar disorder.
● Seasonal factors
Seasonal factors also play a role in the onset of bipolar disorder. Without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels will drop. Low levels of serotonin are linked with a higher risk of depression and psychosis.
● Drug abuse
In a study, it was found that 60% of people with bipolar disorder traits had some history of substance abuse. These include:
● drugs like cocaine, barbiturates, ecstasy, and cannabis
● medicine for hormonal problems like prednisolone or other corticosteroids, and
● very large amounts of caffeine
● Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that can alter your mood. Depression and bipolar disorder symptoms can become more prominent during pregnancy. It is not much of a problem if it is managed properly; however, the risk of depression is more significant if left untreated during pregnancy.
Different types of bipolar disorders involve evident changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of excessive levels of confidence and self-esteem, increased activity and agitation, or energized behavior (manic episodes) to very down, sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (depressive episodes). Following are the different types:
1. Bipolar I disorder (mania and depression)
This consists of at least one manic or mixed episode causing social and occupational impairment, which lasts for seven days with varying degrees of depression, typically lasting at least two weeks. A person usually feels elated, a decreased need for sleep, hypersexual, and/or irritable.
2. Bipolar II disorder (hypomania and depression)
In this, a chronic depressive episode may last for two weeks or more with at least one hypomanic episode, typically lasting for four days.
People usually suffer from low-grade mania, but if not treated, it can lead to full mania. It tends to occur more frequently in women than in men. When it does occur in males, the duration of the hypomanic episode typically equals that of depressive episodes, whereas depression is more common in women.
3. Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP-NOS)
This is diagnosed when a person has symptoms of the illness but does not fall in the criteria of bipolar I or II. These symptoms may not last long enough, or the person faces insufficient symptoms to be diagnosed with bipolar I or II. However, those symptoms need to be out of the normal range of behavior to be diagnosed as BP-NOS.
4. Cyclothymic disorder (hypomania and mild depression)
It is defined by persistent hypomanic and depressive episodes that are not intense enough or long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive disorder. The symptoms usually occur for a minimum of two years in elders and one year in children and teenagers.
To diagnose this condition, a health care provider may:
● Take a detailed history and complete a full physical exam.
● Mood charting — they may ask you to keep a daily record of your moods and sleep patterns.
● Order medical tests to rule out other illnesses.
● Refer you for an evaluation by a mental health professional.
The purpose of treatment is to manage the symptoms as much as possible.
Depending on one's need, treatment may include:
● Medication
Medicines, also known as mood-stabilizing drugs, may be required to balance moods right away.
● Making healthy lifestyle choices, including having a regular sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol and drugs, exercising for at least 15 minutes every day, and minimizing stress.
● Psychological treatment, such as talking with a psychiatrist.
When to see a doctor
People with this illness often don't recognize how much their emotional instability disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Often, they don't get the treatment they need because of the stigma associated with bipolar disorder.
People with bipolar disorder usually enjoy feelings of euphoria. However, this euphoria is always accompanied by an emotional crash that may lead to hopelessness and depression, and in some cases, even suicide.
If you have any episodes of depression or mania, see your physician or mental health professional immediately. Mental conditions don't get better on their own. Companies like https://www.shifa4u.com/ provide online consultation during the pandemic with qualified doctors from all over the world to help people in despair.
Dr Rizwan Uppal, the founder of IDC, believed that proper and timely diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. An all under one roof diagnostic service with the name of Islamabad Diagnostic Center (IDC) Pvt. Ltd was established in the beautiful City of Islamabad more than a decade ago.
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Dr. Essa’s labortary & diagnostic center founded in 1987, has rapidly achived its reputation as one of the leading laboratories in pakistan
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CERTIFIED From ISO and Our organization aspires to achieve commendable standards of performance, giving physicians and patients the personal and professional commitment they expect and deserve.
In 1996, we set out to establish a medical diagnostic center that caters to the needs of patients and diagnosticians alike. Our focus has always been on providing a quality service in a timely manner. We take pride in the fact that years later, today, with a network of collection centers in and out of Lahore, AL-Nasar Lab® & Diagnostic Centre remains the provider of a wide variety of medical services for the most competitive rates in the industry. Our Mission is to provide reliable, timely, high quality, cost-effective and innovative diagnostic services & information to our patients and clients
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The Diagnostic Center. Aznostics private Limited is a company dedicated to providing high quality and ethical radiology and pathology diagnostics services. Established in 2011, it has in a short time developed a reputation for providing excellent consultative and investigative services and has opened satellite branches in Lahore, Gujranwala and Sialkot. We have a full range of radiology and pathology services.
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Lab one was incorporated in the year 2003 by Prof. Dr. Javed Asif and Mr. Mumtaz Khan. Since then Lab One continued to facilitate patient care by providing high quality, cost effective and certified laboratory testing to patients and referring centers all over Pakistan. Lab One is one of the leading state-of the-art laboratory in Lahore and serves a critical role in the health care perpetuity. We offer reliable test and efficient delivery of reports providing quality health care. Lab One aims not to earn but to serve the patients with its best resources and abilities.
