Neurology Problems in Bipolar Disease

About two million U.S. citizens have bipolar disease. According to a a New York Times article, Bipolar Risk Factors, the lifetime prevalence is suspected to be at least 4 percent. People with bipolar may experience medical and neurological difficulties that can complicate the recovery management process.

Circadian Rhythms

• Circadian rhythms regulate the body's waking and sleeping patterns. In bipolar patients, these patterns can be disrupted due to abnormalities in melatonin. When the natural circadian rhythms become unbalanced, bipolar patients can experience severe mood swings and depression.

Amygdala Abnormalities

• Amygdalas are almond-shaped structures deep in the brain which regulate automatic behaviors like physical movements. Studies show that amygdalas are structurally different in bipolar patients. If these structures are not working properly they can produce obsessive behaviors. Because of this phenomena, people with bipolar disorder have high rates of Tourettes Syndrome diagnoses.

Seizure Disorders

• Patients with bipolar are also more prone to having diagnosed with seizure disorders due to neurological imbalances in the brain. For this reason, epilepsy is a common co-occurring diagnosis with bipolar.

Treatment

• A neurologist can detect neurological imbalances in bipolar patients with MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or an EEG (Electroencephalogram). Anticonvulsants like depakote are effective treatments for neurological conditions like seizure disorders in bipolar patients.

Considerations

• It is important for bipolar patients to have medication levels checked by the treating psychiatrist on a regular basis. Improper levels or dosages of a mood stabilizer, (i.e. lithium carbonate) can cause unwanted side effects like toxicity or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).