Mood Swing Disorders

When a person experiences frequent, uncontrollable "high" moods that are followed by corresponding lows, and those mood changes are frequent, he is often diagnosed as "bipolar." More than 4 percent of Americans have this controllable disorder.

Signs

• During a high or "manic" phase, the patient can exhibit extreme irritability, reckless behavior, high sexual drive, little need for sleep, faster speech patterns and overzealous productivity. A low or "depressed" phase often is manifested in immobility, morose thoughts, lack of desire to perform any task, oversleeping, hypochondria, uncontrolled crying or suicidal thoughts.

Considerations

• While these phases can be stressful, it must be understood this condition is controllable and the patient can lead a relatively normal life. Patience and understanding are the two most important elements in assisting those with mood swing disorders.

Causes

• Though doctors and psychiatrists don't know the exact causes of mood swing disorder, they believe the factors could include neurochemical (dormant neurotransmitters), environmental and genetic. Antidepressants can also trigger the disorder.

Medications

• When someone is diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, he is often initially treated with a mood-stabilizing drug such as Lithium and an antipsychotic medication called Seroquel.

Misconceptions

• Many people relate bipolar patients as violent or evil. But among those who were diagnosed with it are to Abraham Lincoln, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Winston Churchill and Beethoven.