Can Bipolar Disorder Be Cured

New Variants New Models

To explore the molecular and behavioral effects of the AKAP11 gene variants uncovered in the study, the team is now creating cellular and animal models carrying an altered form of the gene. It will be the first time scientists employ research models harboring the same variants found to clearly increase risk in humans.

The researchers are also exploring whether AKAP-11 or one of its molecular partners could serve as a biomarker for the condition, to aid in diagnosis or help ensure that future clinical trials include patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular therapy.

The team aims to uncover more genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder.

Ideally, wed like to find risk variants across the whole genome, which will give us the very best chance of coming up with treatments for everyone, said Hyman. This is a first, and we’re hoping we’re going to find many more genetic factors. It’s going to take a lot of exome sequencing, but it is very exciting.

Duncan Palmer, a postdoctoral fellow in Neales lab, is first author of the paper.

This study was funded by the Stanley Family Foundation, Kent and Elizabeth Dauten, The Dalio Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.

What Is Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by mood and energy lability. People may shift from feeling very depressed to tremendously elated. During extreme mood episodes, cognitive distortions are common and may change how a person with bipolar disorder thinks.

Depressive episodes may lead people to experience:1, 2

While in a bipolar state of mania, people may:3, 4

• View themselves in a grandiose manner
• They think they have extraordinary abilities and great ideas
• Racing thoughts and pressured speech
• Sometimes experience bipolar psychosis with abnormal thinking and perception of reality

Bipolar disorder is cyclical in nature. These cycling episodes may vary in intensity and severity of symptoms between people and within the same person. Even more, some may experience rapid cycling bipolar disorder, which can significantly impact peoples ability to function in their daily life, make decisions, complete daily tasks, and interact with others if proper treatment isnt taken.

Low Amounts Of Grey Matter In People With Bipolar Disorder

While this loss of grey matter is concerning, researchers also found in those same brain scans that those who were treating their bipolar disorder with lithium had more grey matter than those who were on other types of bipolar medication. It is believed this is due to the impact lithium has on tissue growth in the brain.

So yes, bipolar disorder can cause brain damage, and this has been proven through research using brain imaging. However, there is also compelling evidence that lithium isnt the only effective treatment for the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It may also help with the decrease of grey matter deterioration, leading to decreased brain damage.

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Conditions That Can Co

Many people with bipolar disorder also have other mental disorders or conditions such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , misuse of drugs or alcohol, or eating disorders. Sometimes people who have severe manic or depressive episodes also have symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to match the persons extreme mood. For example, someone having psychotic symptoms during a depressive episode may falsely believe they are financially ruined, while someone having psychotic symptoms during a manic episode may falsely believe they are famous or have special powers.

Looking at symptoms over the course of the illness and the persons family history can help determine whether a person has bipolar disorder along with another disorder.

Relief Of Symptoms With Medication

Medication is almost always recommended as part of the treatment plan for those who have bipolar disorder, in order to stabilize mood swings. Medications that may be recommended include:

• Mood stabilizers
• Second-generation antipsychotics
• Antidepressants

It may take some time to find the medication that is most effective for you. Side effects have to be taken into consideration along with how well you respond to the medication. Once your symptoms improve, you may be tempted to discontinue taking your medications, but its very important not to do this. Suddenly stopping bipolar medications can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including a rebound of your bipolar symptoms.

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Can Psychotherapy Cure Bipolar Disorder

For most people with bipolar disorder, psychotherapy works along with medication to help to relieve symptoms of this condition. The use of medication alone may lead to high rates of recurrence and difficulty controlling residual symptoms.

• Evidence shows that the combination of psychotherapy with medication has advantages over using just medication for system management and preventing risk of relapse. Different approaches to psychotherapy, which may include individual and group therapy, can help you change your behavior and make your life more manageable.
• Talk therapy can help you deal with problems that hurt your ability to function well in your daily life. It can also help you to stay on your medication. While psychotherapy can greatly improve the symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is not a cure.

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What Are Symptoms Of Bipolar Depression

Symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder may consist of the following:

• Depressed mood and low self-esteem
• Excessive crying spells

• Grandiose thoughts
• Unusual energy less need for sleep
• Impulsiveness, a reckless pursuit of gratification — shopping sprees, impetuous travel, more and sometimes promiscuous sex, high-risk business investments, fast driving
• Hallucinations and or delusions

Preventing Bipolar Disorder Episodes

First, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutrient-dense diet of lean proteins, vegetables, and fresh fruits, regular exercise, and enough sleep can help stabilize moods.

Second, it is important to identify early warning signs of an episode and take action to prevent it from escalating.

Finally, it is important to seek professional help to manage your bipolar disorder. A mental health professional can provide guidance and support.

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How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed In Children

To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your child must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania .

To diagnose bipolar disorder, your childs healthcare provider may use many tools, including:

• A physical examination.
• A thorough medical history, which will include asking about your childs symptoms, lifetime history, experiences and family history.
• Medical tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that could be causing your childs symptoms.
• A mental health evaluation. Your childs provider may perform the evaluation, or they may refer your child to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, to get one.

Providers can often diagnose bipolar disorder in children more accurately when they ask the children, their teachers and their caregivers to fill out questionnaires that ask about mood, energy levels and other factors.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder may overlap with symptoms of other disorders that are common in children and teens, including:

• Because of this, diagnosing bipolar disorder in children can be complicated and requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a trained, experienced mental health professional.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder And Bipolar Mania

Bipolar disorder symptoms differ from one individual to the next. Although no single pattern of symptoms is present in every individual, there are distinct episodes that can occur.Symptoms fall between two mood states bipolar mania and bipolar depression. When you are depressed, you may feel hopeless, sad, and worthless. During periods of mania, you can feel elated, euphoric, and full of energy.

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Are Online Tests Accurate

An online test may be able to help a person determine whether they are likely to have bipolar disorder. Some online mental health tests may help people better understand their feelings and state of mind.

However, online tests cannot provide a diagnosis that can lead to effective treatment, such as medication, unless they are part of a treatment or screening process administered by a mental health professional.

According to , there are several potential benefits of self-administered mental health tests. These include the following:

• They give similar results compared with identical questionnaires an interviewer administers.
• People may answer more truthfully than they would in a social setting.
• They may help screen for mental health conditions in different settings.
• They are fast and easy to use.

The research concerns standardized diagnostic tools, such as the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Screening Scales , which are intended for use by trained interviewers.

General online tests, which may not be standardized or associated with trained mental health professionals, may not be accurate.

Their reliability could rely on several factors, including:

What To Do When A Mood Episode Derails Your Process

Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness and thus will be a long-term journey. You will likely cope with it throughout your life, which is normal. The cyclical nature of the disorder suggests that symptoms will ebb and flow, and treatment may need to be readjusted depending on what current symptoms are presenting.

What worked once may not be so effective anymore, and you may need to change your treatment when you experience setbacks. With any unusual shifts in your mood, energy, or sleep patterns, it will be essential to have regular consultations with your treatment team. So finding a therapist and a psychiatrist you feel comfortable with and can trust is crucial in finding stability again.

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Strengthen Your Support Network

Surrounding yourself with social support is extremely important. Connectedness is a source of resilience and enhances your ability to cope with the diagnosis and learn how to manage it. You may choose to disclose your diagnosis to only a few trusted sources, and thats okay! It is comforting to know you have people who can help you in your journey with the disorder. Support groups are a great way to find others on a similar path if you struggle to find a support network.

How Bipolar Disorder Affects The Brain

Bipolar disorder can cause changes in the brain, specifically in the following areas:

• Prefrontal cortex: The prefrontal cortex is responsible for our cognitive control functions like paying attention, controlling impulses, problem-solving, and comprehension. Studies have found subjects with bipolar disorder to have decreased grey matter in the prefrontal cortex and an overall decreased prefrontal cortical volume.
• Subcortical structures: The subcortical areas of the brain are where our brain processes its more primitive functions, like hormone production, emotion, and memory. Those with bipolar disorder may experience dysfunction in their subcortical structures, leading to challenges in regulating mood.
• Medial temporal structures: Medial temporal structures are prone to decreased grey or white matter in those living with bipolar disorder. In turn, this can lead to memory disruption.

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Examples Of Online Tests

A person can access tests that psychiatrists and mental health professionals have developed, which may help them self-assess for bipolar disorder.

However, online tests are not diagnostic tools. A person cannot use the results of such tests to obtain prescriptions or receive other forms of treatment without an official diagnosis from a mental health professional.

An example of a legitimate test is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire . This test may help a mental health professional determine whether a person requires a comprehensive evaluation for bipolar disorder.

Using the MDQ as a self-assessment may help a person decide whether to seek professional help and an official diagnosis.

• speak with the person about their symptoms and medical history
• order tests to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as hyperthyroidism
• review medications to ensure they are not a potential cause of symptoms

Once they have ruled out other symptom causes, a doctor may refer the person to a mental health professional.

To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, a person must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania.

Mental health professionals use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revisionto determine the type and severity of bipolar disorder a person may have.

Lithium’s Effect On Grey Matter

Some bipolar medication can support the increase of grey matter thickness. Lithium is often prescribed to those living with this mood disorder, and it has been found to increase grey matter thickness throughout the impacted areas of the brain. This means lithium doesn’t only have the capacity to decrease symptoms, it can also target the root cause of many bipolar symptoms. While this is promising, not all bipolar medication has this effect.

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Impulsive Actions Or Psychosis

When someone is currently experiencing a manic episode, they are more at risk of engaging in harmful behavior, including:

• excessive drinking

Untreated bipolar disorder can also lead to increased suicidal thoughts especially during a depressive phase.

A estimates that 25%60% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once in their lives. Between 4% and 19% die by suicide.

Psychotherapy For Bipolar Disorder

Several types of therapy can help treat bipolar disorder:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns.
• Interpersonal therapy focuses on helping people develop healthier relationships.
• Family-focused therapy helps educate and support the families of people with bipolar disorder.

Read more about therapy for bipolar disorder.

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How To Cope With Bipolar Disorder

No matter how down or out of control you feel, its important to remember that youre not powerless when it comes to bipolar disorder. Beyond the treatment you get from your doctor or therapist, there are many things you can do for yourself to reduce your symptoms and stay on track.

Living well with bipolar disorder requires certain adjustments. Like diabetics who take insulin or recovering alcoholics who avoid drinking, if you have bipolar disorder, it’s important to make healthy choices for yourself. Making these healthy choices will help you keep your symptoms under control, minimize mood episodes, and take control of your life.

Managing bipolar disorder starts with proper treatment, including medication and therapy. But there is so much more you can do to help yourself on a day-to-day basis. These tips can help you influence the course of your illness, enabling you to take greater control over your symptoms, to stay well longer, and to quickly rebound from any mood episode or relapse.

How Does Bipolar Disorder Affect Children

Bipolar disorder is different in children and teenagers than in adults. Adults with bipolar disorder often have clear episodes of mania or depression that last a week or longer. In children and teens, the phases may be less clear, and changes from one episode to the other may happen faster. For example, a child may exhibit periods of giddiness and silliness, anger outbursts, and unprovoked crying all in one day.

Bipolar disorder is different from the typical mood swings and ups and downs every child and teenager goes through. The mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme, often unprovoked, and also involve:

• Changes in sleep patterns.
• Changes in energy level.
• Issues with focus and the ability to think clearly.
• Bipolar disorder symptoms can make it hard for your child to perform well in school or to get along with friends and family members. Some children and teens with bipolar disorder may try to hurt themselves or attempt suicide.

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Natural Remedies For Treating Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves extreme shifts in mood, energy, and levels of activity. Medications can help people manage symptoms, but these can have adverse effects. A number of natural remedies may also help.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimate that around 2.6 percent of people in the United States have bipolar disorder, and nearly 83 percent of cases are severe. On average, it starts when a person is 25 years old.

A person with bipolar disorder experiences times of severe depression and times of mania, or high mood. The risks during a low mood include an inability to function at work and in other areas of life.

During mania, the person may be at risk of making reckless decisions. If the mood becomes too high or low, psychosis can develop.

There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but treatment enables people to manage it. Some lifestyle adaptations can also help, alongside the medication.

Medication For Bipolar Disorder

Common medications for treating bipolar disorder include:

• mood stabilizers
• antidepressants

While antidepressants may be recommended for treatment, it is a controversial method.

One concern about using antidepressants to treat bipolar disorder is that they can cause manic episodes. Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of manic and depressive episodes.

In some cases, it may also help people with bipolar disorder function more effectively in their daily lives.

Sometimes people with bipolar disorder may need to try several medications before they find the most effective one. Never stop taking your medications without first talking with your doctor.

Stopping medication abruptly can cause symptoms to increase in severity.

Read more about bipolar disorder medications.

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