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What’s The Meaning Of Bipolar

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Examples Of Bipolar In A Sentence

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

bipolar BostonGlobe.combipolarchicagotribune.combipolar New York Timesbipolar CBS Newsbipolar USA TODAYbipolar Fox Newsbipolar New York TimesbipolarRolling Stone

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘bipolar.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Bipolar Disorder Vs Manic Depression

A critical point in distinguishing bipolar disorder from major depressive disorder is whether the person has had a manic episode. For someone to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, they must have had a manic episode lasting for at least one week or a hypomanic episode lasting for at least four days.

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Are There Different Types Of Bipolar Disorder

There are a few types of bipolar disorder, including:

Bipolar I disorder: With this type, you have extreme erratic behavior, with manic âupâ periods that last at least a week or are so severe that you need medical care. There are also usually extreme âdownâ periods that last at least 2 weeks.

Bipolar II disorder: With this type, you also have erratic highs and lows, but it isnât as extreme as bipolar I.

Cyclothymic disorder: This type involves periods of manic and depressive behavior that last at least 2 years in adults or 1 year in children and teens. The symptoms arenât as intense as bipolar disorder I or bipolar disorder II.

“Unspecified” or “other specified” bipolar disorder is now used to describe conditions in which a person has only a few of the mood and energy symptoms that define a manic or hypomanic episode, or the symptoms may not last long enough to be considered as clear-cut “episodes.”

Rapid cycling is not a type of bipolar disorder, but a term used to describe the course of illness in people with bipolar I or II disorder. It applies when mood episodes occur four or more times over a 1-year period. Women are more likely to have this type of illness course than men, and it can come and go at any time in the course of bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling is driven largely by depression and carries an increased risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

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Depressive Symptoms In Children

With bipolar disorder, symptoms of depressive episodes in children can include:

  • moping around, acting very sad, or crying frequently
  • sleeping too much or too little
  • having little energy for usual activities or showing no signs of interest in anything
  • complaining about not feeling well, including having frequent headaches or stomachaches
  • feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • eating too little or too much
  • thoughts of death or suicide

What To Expect After Bipolar Disorder Treatment

What should we know about Bipolar Disorder?

Recognizing the symptoms early and treating it promptly is necessary to prevent complications such as suicide, homicide and addictions.

Some lifestyle modifications are important in managing bipolar disorder:

  • Treatment compliance is of utmost importance for the patient as well as the caregivers.
  • Always follow a routine for sleep and meals.
  • Talk to your family and friends and ask for their support.
  • Try connecting with other patients and caregivers through social groups.
  • Talk to a licensed medical practitioner about your symptoms.

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What Do You Do To Keep Well

Keeping well when you have bipolar is an interesting concept. For some it revolves exclusively around manging moods. For others it means fitting life around moods.

For me, and others like me who are deep into a recovery that seems to be holding, its about keeping an eye, and investing in the things that help us all boost our mental health.

For many, if not most people with bipolar, life and keeping well includes taking medication.

Blogger Tanya said:

The thing I most prioritise with keeping myself well is to be strict in taking my medication. Missing doses or tweaking them without professional help can be devastating.

Again, Im going to buck the trend and say I dont take medication routinely. I took lithium for a decade, and then wanted, once I knew myself and had done my research, to try tapering off. That was eight years ago, and Ive managed it. I did it carefully, over two years, with support, whilst learning other techniques.

Cait agrees:

For 13 years, I took medication, but in the past six months, I’ve been trying to cope without it. So I have to be super careful, and alas, super boring. I don’t drink a lot, I have relatively early nights when I can.

Bipolar can also be triggered by trauma, or other life events and sometimes part of therapy is addressing underlying concerns to get someone to a point where they can start to see a life worth living.

Anna said:

Hannah has a rigid menu:

Patterns Of Depression And Mania

If you have bipolar disorder, you may have episodes of depression more regularly than episodes of mania, or vice versa.

Between episodes of depression and mania, you may sometimes have periods where you have a “normal” mood.

The patterns are not always the same and some people may experience:

  • rapid cycling where a person with bipolar disorder repeatedly swings from a high to a low phase quickly without having a “normal” period in between
  • mixed state where a person with bipolar disorder experiences symptoms of depression and mania together for example, overactivity with a depressed mood

If your mood swings last a long time but are not severe enough to be classed as bipolar disorder, you may be diagnosed with a mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia.

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Bipolar Relationships: What To Expect

Ups and downs are natural in any romantic relationship, but when your partner has bipolar disorder it can feel like youre on an emotional rollercoaster. Not knowing what to expect each day is stressful and tiring. Over time, it wears on the relationship.

Understanding why your partner acts out sometimes or becomes withdrawn is the first supportive step you can take in strengthening your relationship. Learn exactly what a bipolar diagnosis means, how it could affect your partners behavior and what you can do to foster a healthy, stable relationship.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

What Is Being Bipolar Like?

In bipolar disorder, the dramatic episodes of high and low moods do not follow a set pattern. Someone may feel the same mood state several times before switching to the opposite mood. These episodes can happen over a period of weeks, months, and sometimes even years.

How severe it gets differs from person to person and can also change over time, becoming more or less severe.

Symptoms of mania :

  • Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement

  • Sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable, angry, and hostile

  • Restlessness

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Poverty Marginal Neighborhoods And Community Violence

Poverty disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. The overall rateof poverty in the United States, 12 percent in 1999, masks great variation.While 8 percent of whites are poor, rates are much higher among racial andethnic minorities: 11 percent of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, 23percent of Hispanic Americans, 24 percent of African Americans, and 26 percentof American Indians and Alaska Natives . Measured another way, the per capita income forracial and ethnic minority groups is much lower than that for whites.

Table 2-2: Per Capita Income by Ethnicity in 1999.

gives Per CapitaIncome averages by ethnicity in 1999.

For centuries, it has been known that people living in poverty, whatever theirrace or ethnicity, have the poorest overall health . It comes as no surprise then that poverty isalso linked to poorer mental health . Studies have consistently shown that people in the loweststrata of income, education, and occupation are about two to three times more likely than those in the highest stratato have a mental disorder . They alsoare more likely to have higher levels of psychological distress .

What Does It Mean If Your Partner Is Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition marked by intense mood changes. People with the illness switch back and forth from mania or hypomania to having episodes of depression.

The lifelong condition tends to run in families, although the cause of bipolar disease is unknown. However, it can often be successfully managed through treatment. There are two primary types of bipolar disorder:

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How Do Doctors Treat It

Although there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment can help stabilize moods and help the person manage and control symptoms. Like other teens with long-lasting medical conditions , teens with bipolar disorder need to work closely with their doctors and other medical professionals to treat it.

This team of medical professionals, together with the teen and family, develop what is called a treatment plan. Teens with bipolar disorder will probably receive medication, such as a mood stabilizer, from a psychiatrist or other medical doctor. A psychologist or other type of counselor will provide counseling or psychotherapy for the teen and his or her family. Doctors will watch the symptoms closely and offer additional treatment advice if necessary.

How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed

bipolar disorder causes

If you or someone you know has symptoms of bipolar disorder, talk to your family doctor or a psychiatrist. They will ask questions about mental illnesses that you, or the person you’re concerned about, have had, and any mental illnesses that run in the family. The person will also get a complete psychiatric evaluation to tell if they have likely bipolar disorder or another mental health condition.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder is all about the person’s symptoms and determining whether they may be the result of another cause . How severe are they? How long have they lasted? How often do they happen?

The most telling symptoms are those that involve highs or lows in mood, along with changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior.

Talking to close friends and family of the person can often help the doctor distinguish bipolar disorder from major depressive disorder or other psychiatric disorders that can involve changes in mood, thinking, and behavior.

If you have just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you might feel frightened. The future may seem terribly uncertain. What will this mean for your life, your family, and your job?

But getting an accurate diagnosis is actually good news. It means you can finally get the treatment you need. People with bipolar disorder usually go about 10 years before being accurately diagnosed.

If you think your child might have bipolar disorder, ask your doctor for a referral to a child psychologist whoâs familiar with bipolar disorder.

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What It’s Like To Have Bipolar By People Who Have Bipolar

Around 1% of us will develop bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions.

The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.

Bipolar disorder has been associated with genius and with creativity. It is certainly true that a number of contemporary high achievers and creatives have spoken of their experiences, and throughout history it is possible to recognise bipolar type traits in the artistic, political and academic spheres. But what is it actually like?

I was diagnosed with bipolar in my late teens, in my first year at university. The diagnosis have shaped my adult identity and experiences.

This week I have been collecting answers to four simple questions from a range of people who have bipolar, to demonstrate the range of experiences out there, and some of the things that help.

Living With Bipolar Disorder

Treatment can help you manage mood episodes and cope with the symptoms they cause.

Creating a care team can help you get the most out of treatment. Your team might involve:

  • your primary doctor
  • a psychiatrist who manages your medications
  • a therapist or counselor who provides talk therapy
  • other professionals or specialists, such as a sleep specialist, acupuncturist, or massage therapist
  • a bipolar disorder support group, or community of other people also living with bipolar disorder

You may need to try a few treatments before you find one that leads to improvement. Some medications work well for some people but not others. In a similar vein, some people find CBT very helpful, while others may see little improvement.

Its always best to be open with your care team about what works and what doesnt. If something doesnt help or makes you feel even worse, dont hold back from letting them know. Your mental health matters, and your care team should always support you in finding the most helpful approach.

A little self-compassion can go a long way, too. Keep in mind that bipolar disorder, like any other mental health condition, didnt happen by choice. Its not caused by anything you did or didnt do.

Its OK to feel frustrated when treatment doesnt seem to work. Try to have patience and treat yourself kindly as you explore new approaches.

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Symptoms In Children And Teens

Symptoms of bipolar disorder usually emerge in early adulthood, though they can occur at any age. Sometimes, they can appear in children.

Signs that a child may have bipolar disorder

  • lose interests in things they used to enjoy
  • think about death or suicide

There are many reasons why children and teens can experience mood changes or moods that seem extreme. The hormonal changes in puberty can lead to fluctuations in mood, and the symptoms of ADHD and other conditions can resemble those of bipolar disorder.

If youre concerned about yourself or a young person, seek medical help early. Whatever the reason for mood changes in a young person, getting a correct diagnosis can help manage the symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

Coping With Bipolar Disorder

What is Schizoaffective Disorder- Is It Worse Than Bipolar Disorder?

Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, but there are ways to help make it easier for yourself, a friend, or a loved one.

  • Get treatment and stick with itrecovery takes time and its not easy. But treatment is the best way to start feeling better.
  • Keep medical and therapy appointments and talk with the provider about treatment options.
  • Take all medicines as directed.
  • Structure activities: keep a routine for eating and sleeping, and make sure to get enough sleep and exercise.
  • Learn to recognize your mood swings and warning signs, such as decreased sleep.
  • Ask for help when trying to stick with your treatment.
  • Be patient improvement takes time. Social support helps.
  • Avoid misuse of alcohol and drugs.

Remember: Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, but long-term, ongoing treatment can help control symptoms and enable you to live a healthy life.

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Manic Symptoms In Children

Symptoms of mania in children can include:

  • acting very silly and feeling overly happy
  • talking fast and rapidly changing subjects
  • having trouble focusing or concentrating
  • doing risky things or experimenting with risky behaviors
  • having a very short temper that leads quickly to outbursts of anger
  • having trouble sleeping and not feeling tired after sleep loss

What Are The Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder can be treated. It’s a long-term condition that needs ongoing care. People who have four or more mood episodes in a year, or who also have drug or alcohol problems, can have forms of the illness that are much harder to treat.

Treatment can make a huge difference. With a combination of things — good medical care, medication, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and the support of friends and family — you can feel better. Bipolar disorder — or manic depression, as it is also still sometimes called — has no known cure. It is a chronic health condition that requires lifetime management. Plenty of people with this condition do well they have families and jobs and live normal lives.

Medication

  • Antidepressant-antipsychotic drugs, a combination of an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer

  • Anti-anxiety medications or sleep medicines, such as sedatives like benzodiazepines

It can take a while to find the right combination for you. You may need to try a few things before you and your doctor figure out what works best. Once you do, itâs important to stay on your medication and talk with your doctor before stopping or changing anything.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with their doctors about medications that are safe to take.

Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is often recommended, too. There are several different types. Options can include:

Other treatment options for bipolar disorder can include:

Lifestyle changes may also help:

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Talk With Your Doctor

If you think that you or a loved one has signs or symptoms of bipolar disorder, your first step should be to talk with your doctor. Only a trained medical professional can diagnose this disorder, and diagnosis is key to getting proper treatment.

Medication, therapy, or other treatment options can help you or your loved one manage symptoms and maximize quality of life.

What Are The Four Types Of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar mod 1a

Despite what many people may think, bipolar disorder is a complex mental illness that is much more than just sporadic bouts of moodiness. Its a condition that affects your brain and mental health. With that in mind, here are the four main types of bipolar disorder:

  • Bipolar I Disorder involves manic episodes that last more than six days or severe mania that requires hospital intervention.
  • Bipolar II Disorder featured both depression and mania, but the ladder is less severe than in bipolar I. Called hypomania, a person with this type may experience major depressive episodes preceding or following a manic episode.
  • Cyclothymic Disorder or cyclothymia includes symptoms of depression and hypomania that can last for two years or more.
  • Unspecified Bipolar Disorder involves symptoms that dont fall into the categories listed above. These symptoms tend to stem from drug or alcohol use .

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