Causes & Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a condition in the brain that causes the person to go in and out of manic phases, as well as phases of depression. It usually starts when the person is young but becomes more noticeable as the person ages.

Possible Causes

• There is not one known cause for this condition. An interesting Danish study showed that people of lower financial means as well as children of parents from a higher class were more susceptible to bipolar disorder. There may also be a genetic link, with some patients having evidence of a strong family history. Other explanations include inequality of hormones in the patient's body and certain changes in the brain and its neurotransmitters.

Partners

• Conditions that do seem to go hand-in-hand with bipolar disorder are addictions to alcohol and drugs. The patient with bipolar disorder may self-soothe by turning to either one. Post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also appear to have close affiliations with being bipolar, due to certain similar symptoms including lack of focus or explosive episodes. It also seems there is also a connection between being bipolar and certain diseases, such as being overweight, disease of the heart and thyroid, and being diabetic.

Diagnosis

• The first person the patient usually sees is a family doctor, who may, upon performing certain tests such as lab work or an MRI or CT scan of the brain and examining the patient, recommend the patient see a psychologist or psychiatrist for further testing. From there, the psychiatrist or psychologist may discuss the patient's history with him and even talk to close friends and family who are around the patient more and know the patient very well.

Medicines

• Anti-seizure or "anticonvulsant" medicines are used most of the time to treat bipolar disorder, because not only do they help with seizures, but they help to settle the mood, which is what the patient needs. Some of these medications include phenobarbital, clonazepam, Valium and Depakote. Lithium is also sometimes used, since it also has a calming effect. Some other medicines that might be used are antidepressants, such as Prozac; neuroleptics; as well as antipsychotics, such as Haldol or Seroquel. If the patient has problems sleeping, medications may be given to help with this also.

Psychiatry

• It is important also for the patient to continue to see a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, for the help he needs in dealing with this disorder. It's important for him to learn how to live with this, and it's vital that his family is included. Treatments may need to be changed at various times, depending on the patient's condition and moods, so it's so important that he have regular visits.

One Last Treatment

• One last treatment that has kind of a bad reputation from years past, but is making great strides today, is electroconvulsive therapy. It is basically used as a last resort. Sometimes when other treatments do not work, this does help the patient.