Is Bipolar Disorder Gender Specific?

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder because its main characteristics are unusual and often unpredictable shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. These shifts are severe and can seriously impact the patient's everyday life.

Development

• Bipolar disorder is an equal opportunity brain disorder that does not affect one gender more often than the other. It usually manifests between age 15 and 30. Bipolar II, a more rapid cycling form of the disorder, tends to be more common in women.

Causes

• Although no definite cause has been pinpointed in the development of bipolar disorder, a number of factors are believed to be involved. Biochemical changes such as hormonal imbalances, family history and environmental causes may trigger bipolar episodes.

Symptoms

• Mood episodes are severe and intense emotional states that occur in someone with bipolar disorder, regardless of gender. These episodes can be classified as either manic---an overly happy or energetic state---or depressive---a severely negative or low-energy state. These extreme changes can interfere with day-to-day life and prevent the individual from functioning properly in life.

Diagnosis

• Physical tests cannot diagnose bipolar disorder, but they may be ordered in an attempt to rule out any other conditions that may be causing behavioral changes. A complete diagnostic evaluation, including interviews with the patient, her family and friends, provides the doctor with a more complete picture of her mental well-being and offers a better chance at proper diagnosis.

Treatment

• Medications such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants are helpful in controlling the extreme ups and downs that accompany bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy is also important, as it teaches the patient coping behavior and ways to combat his depressive states.