Bipolar Syndrome

Bipolar syndrome, more commonly known as bipolar disorder, is a psychological condition that is characterized by chronic mood swings between depression and uncontrollable mania. While bipolar syndrome can be effectively treated with medication and therapy, there is no cure for this condition.

Manic Episode Symptoms

• Symptoms of mania experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder include reduced need for sleep, increased libido, flights of ideas and creativity, the pursuit of reckless activities and extreme irritability.

Depressive Episode Symptoms

• Symptoms of depression associated with bipolar disorder include carbohydrate cravings, anxiety, low self-esteem, oversleeping and weight gain.

Mania Diagnosis

• A manic episode must persist for at least two weeks to be clinically classified, and without treatment some manic episodes can last for up to four months.

Depression Diagnosis

• A depressive episode also needs to last for at least two weeks to be clinically identified, however untreated depressive episodes can last up to 14 months.

Age of Onset

• The traditional age of onset for bipolar disorder has been late adolescence, however over the past ten years a higher incidence of childhood and early-adolescence bipolar syndrome has been noted.

Treatment

• Bipolar syndrome is most often treated with medication. Mood stabilizers like Lithium may be combined with anti-seizure meds like Lamictal to control mood swings. Occasionally anti-psychotic or anti-anxiety medications are prescribed if a patient doesn't respond well to mood stabilizers or anti-seizure pills.