Bipolar Disorder Meaning

A person’s mindset, energy level, and power for function can alter as a result of bipolar illness, a brain disorder. Bipolar disorder patients go through strong emotional states known as mood episodes, which often happen over discrete intervals of days to weeks. Manic/hypomanic (an abnormally cheerful or angry mood) or depression are the two classifications for these mood episodes (sad mood). Most bipolar patients also have periods of neutral mood. Bipolar disease sufferers can live full and productive lives if given the right treatment.

Even those who do not have bipolar disorder go through mood swings. These mood swings, meanwhile, usually only last a few hours as opposed to days. Furthermore, unlike during mood episodes, these alterations are typically not accompanied by the significant degree of behavior change or difficulties adjusting to regular activities and social interactions that bipolar illness sufferers exhibit. A person with bipolar disorder may experience difficulties at work or at school, as well as in their relationships with their loved ones.

Three distinct diagnoses fall under the umbrella of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder.

Eighty to ninety percent of those with bipolar disorder have a family member who also has the condition or is depressed. Stress, irregular sleep patterns, narcotics, and alcohol can all cause mood swings in persons who are already vulnerable. Although the exact brain-based origins of bipolar disorder are unknown, dysregulated brain activity is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance. 25 years old on average is the onset age.

Anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are typically present in people with bipolar I disorder (ADHD). Compared to the general population, those with bipolar I disorder have a much-increased risk of suicide.

Bipolar illness patients might experience extreme highs of happiness and vigor as well as extreme lows of melancholy, hopelessness, and sluggishness. Usually, people feel normal in the intervals between those times. Bipolar disorder is so named because the highs and lows can be compared to two “poles” of emotion.

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Do Different Bipolar Disorders Exist?

Bipolar disorder comes in a variety of forms, including:

Bipolar I disorder: With bipolar I disorder, your conduct is incredibly unstable and you experience manic “up” phases that last at least a week or are so severe that you require medical attention. Extreme “down” episodes that last at least two weeks are also typical.

Bipolar II disorder: Although the highs and lows are irregular with bipolar II conditions, they are not as severe as they are with bipolar I.

Cyclothymic Disorder: This type includes manic and depressed episodes that span at least two years in adults or one year in children and adolescents. Compared to bipolar disorder I or II, the symptoms are less severe.

Rapid Cycling: Rapid cycling is a term used to characterize the course of the illness in people with bipolar I or II disorder; it is not a kind of bipolar disorder. It is applicable when there are four or more mood episodes within a year. This sort of illness course affects women more frequently than males, and it can appear and disappear at any point during the course of bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling has a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or actions and is primarily fueled by depression.

Misuse of drugs or alcohol can increase the number of episodes in people with bipolar disorder of any kind. A dual diagnosis, or having both bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, necessitates assistance from a specialist who can handle both problems.

“Unspecified” or “other specified” bipolar disorder: The terms “unspecified” or “other specified” bipolar disorder (previously known as “bipolar disorder not otherwise specified”) are now used to refer to conditions in which a person only exhibits a small number of the mood and energy symptoms that characterize a manic or hypomanic episode, or in which the symptoms may not last long enough to be considered as distinct “episodes.”

Mental Retardation Definition

Having below-average IQ and living skills is what we mean when we talk about people with mental retardation (sometimes called intellectual disability). It is found in both young people and adults whose brains do not mature or operate normally.

Intellectual impairment primarily impacts two domains:

♦ Rational cognition, often known as I.Q. (Intelligence Quotient; a score on a standardized intelligence test),: Thinking, reasoning, learning, making decisions, and solving issues fall under this category. The typical person has an intelligence level of 100. Someone with an intelligence score (IQ) below seventy-five is classified as having an intellectual disability.

♦ Adaptation behaviors are those that are crucial to survival and include things like communicating with others, taking care of oneself, and interacting with others.

Mental retardation typically manifests before the age of 18 years old. A person with an intellectual disability will struggle to learn and accomplish routine tasks, such as getting dressed and brushing their teeth, that are second nature to most individuals. Cerebral palsy and Down syndrome are two examples of intellectual disability.

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Mental Retardation Symptoms

The symptoms of intellectual disability vary according to the severity of the disability. Retardation is classified into four levels:

• Mild Mental Retardation

• Moderate Mental Retardation

• Severe Mental Retardation

• Profound Mental Retardation

Depending on how far along the disability is, different symptoms apply. The typical ones consist of:

• Having problems with reading and writing​

• Being socially immature

• Having a below-average IQ

• Having other conditions including autism, epilepsy, or physical disability

• Being slower in understanding and using language

• Being unable to live independently

• Having impaired motor skills

• Seizures

Other behavioral signs, such as: may also accompany these symptoms.

• Aggression

• Dependency

• Withdrawal from social activities

• Attention-seeking

• Depression

• Impulsiveness

• Getting easily frustrated

• Short attention span​

Physical deformities including a bent spine and distorted facial features do occur occasionally.​​​

Treatment And Services

Depending on the condition, several treatments are used for mental retardation. If the symptoms you or a loved one are experiencing are minor, you might just only a minimal amount of treatment and medicine. Advanced cases necessitate extensive treatment and therapy. Although they can treat symptoms, medications cannot treat the underlying problem. Medication that is frequently administered includes:

• Antidepressants: used to treat depression.

• Anti-anxiety medications: used to treat anxiety disorders, help reduce agitation and manage insomnia.

• Mood-stabilizing medications: commonly used to treat bipolar disorders, which involve alternating between mania and depression.

• Antipsychotic medications: used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.​

• Anti-epileptic drugs to treat seizures

Psychotherapy is an additional choice, which entails meeting with a psychotherapist and going over your condition, moods, feelings, and behaviors. Your therapist will assist you in lowering your stress levels and learning more effective symptom management techniques. Speech therapy, physical therapy, and treatment for substance misuse (such as drug or alcohol addiction) are further forms of therapy.​​

Test And Diagnosis 

Your doctor will evaluate the patient’s intellectual and social abilities to determine if mental retardation is the cause. This assessment involves the following three steps:

• Interviews with parents

• Observations of the child

• Standard tests

Symptoms Of Depression In Women

A mood disorder is a condition that incorporates depression. Anger, unhappiness, or failure feelings that interfere during daily activity are some common descriptions.

As per the WHO website: – Globally, the total number of people with depression was estimated to exceed 300 million in 2015, equivalent to 4.3% of the world’s population. In India, the National Mental Health Survey 2015-16 revealed that nearly 15% of Indian adults need active intervention for one or more mental health issues and one in 20 Indians suffers from depression. It is estimated that in 2012, India had over 258 000 suicides, with the age group of 15-49 years being most affected./span>

Although sadness after a traumatic event in life or grieving following the loss of a beloved one both have specific characteristics in common with depression, these emotions are distinct from each other. While sorrow frequently does not, depression frequently does involve self-hatred or low self-esteem.

Usually, feelings of emotional pain are accompanied by pleasant sensations and happy recollections of the deceased while someone is weeping. Sadness is a continuous sensation in major depressive disorder.

Depression manifests itself differently for each person. Your everyday tasks could be hampered, causing you to lose time and reduce production. Relationships and some long-term medical disorders may also be affected.

Depression can lead to specific conditions, such as:

• asthma
• cardiovascular disease
• arthritis
•  obesity
•  diabetes
•  cancer

This is important to realize that having sadness occasionally is a healthy component of life. Everyone endures unhappy and troubling things in life. But if you frequently feel depressed or hopeless, you may be suffering from depression.

Without the right treatment, depression is regarded as a dangerous medical illness that might worsen.

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• Postpartum Depression, Causes and Treatment
• How to Overcome Rejection?

Who Is Most Prone To Depression?

Nobody is immune to depression, regardless of age, gender, or situation. Depression affects over 16 million Americans each year.

Depression may affect women more frequently than it does males. Additionally, having at least one depressing episode in your life is more likely if you have certain medical conditions or genetics.

Symptoms Of Depression

Depression might be more than simply a continuously depressed or “blue” feeling.

A major depressive episode can manifest in a number of ways. Some influence your body while others influence your mood. Additionally, symptoms might continue or come and go.

Test For Depression

No single test exists to identify depression. However, based on your symptoms and the results of a psychological assessment, your healthcare professional can make a diagnosis.

They typically probe you with a series of inquiries concerning your:

Moods, hunger, sleep habits, level of activity, and thoughts
Your healthcare provider may also perform a physical examination and request blood work because depression has been connected to other health issues. Sometimes depressive symptoms might be brought on by thyroid issues or a vitamin D shortage.

It’s critical to not disregard depressive disorder symptoms. Seek medical assistance if your mood doesn’t get better or grows worse. There is a chance of difficulties with depression, a significant mental health condition.

Complications might include trusted sources:

• self-harm
• drug usage disorder
• suicidal thoughts due to social isolation
• panic disorders
• loss or increase in weight
• relationship difficulties
• a physical hurt

General Symptoms And Signs (Depression Symptoms, Symptoms Of Depression )

The symptoms of depression vary from person to person. The degree, regularity, and duration of symptoms can all vary.

You may have depression if you have experienced some of the warning signs and symptoms listed below nearly every day for at least two weeks:

• feeling depressed, worried, or empty
• feeling useless, cynical, and hopeless
• crying a lot feeling upset, irritated, or furious losing interest in
• activities and pursuits you once found enjoyable
• reduced energy or weariness
• the trouble with concentration, memory, or decision-making
• moving or speaking more slowly, having trouble falling asleep,
• waking up early, or staying up late, and experiencing changes in appetite or weight
• persistent physical discomfort with no apparent cause that does not improve with treatment (headaches, aches or pains, digestive problems, cramps)
• Self-harm, suicide attempts, or death-related ideas

What’s The Frequency Of Depression?

Depression is a widespread condition. Nearly 7% of American citizens, according to healthcare professionals, suffer from depression each year. Over 16% of American adults, or roughly 1 in 6, may experience depression at some point in their lives.

Depression Syndrome: How Is It Identified?

Everybody occasionally experiences sadness or depression. However, the symptoms of clinical depression are more severe and continue for at least two weeks.

Your healthcare professional will question you in order to ascertain whether you suffer from clinical depression. You can offer a family history and answer a questionnaire. In order to determine whether you have any further medical conditions, your doctor may also conduct an examination or request lab testing.

Is It Possible To Stop Depression?

By getting adequate sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet, and engaging in regular self-care practices like yoga, meditation, and exercise, you can help prevent depression.

If you’ve previously struggled with depression, you could be more prone to do so again. Get treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of depression. You can recover more quickly with care.