All rights reserved.
allaboutyou-online-therapy
These definitions are not intended to diagnose. If you feel that you
may suffer from bipolar contact allaboutyou-online-therapy via
live chat or email for further information and assistance.
What Is Bipolar Disorder? *
Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depressive disorder or manic depression. It's a
serious mental illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and
careers, and even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) – from mania to
depression. Between these mood swings, a person with bipolar disorder may experience
normal moods.
Bipolar Disorder Therapy
Along with medication, ongoing psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, is an important part of
treatment for bipolar disorder. During therapy, you can discuss feelings, thoughts, and
behaviors that cause you problems. Talk therapy can help you understand and ultimately
master any problems that hurt your ability to function well in life. It also helps you stay on
your medication -- and helps you deal with effects of bipolar disorder on your social and
work life. It can help you maintain a positive self-image.
Types of psychotherapy used to treat bipolar disorder include:
Behavioral therapy. This focuses on behaviors that decrease stress.
Cognitive therapy. This type of approach involves learning to identify and modify the
patterns of thinking that accompany mood shifts.
Interpersonal therapy. This involves relationships and aims to reduce strains that the
illness may place upon them.
Social rhythm therapy. This helps you develop and maintain daily routines.
Bipolar is a complex illness. There are many different symptoms and several different types
of bipolar disorder. The primary symptoms of the disorder are dramatic and unpredictable
mood swings. The various types of bipolar disorder range from mild to severe.
Symptoms **
Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.
Mania Symptoms
Mania symptoms may include excessive happiness, excitement, irritability, restlessness,
increased energy, less need for sleep, racing thoughts, high sex drive, and a tendency to make
grand and unattainable plans.
Depression Symptoms
Depression symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of energy,
uncontrollable crying, change in appetite causing weight loss or gain, increased need for
sleep, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Types of Bipolar **
Bipolar Types
There are several types of bipolar disorder; all involve episodes of depression and mania to a
degree. They include bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, mixed bipolar, and rapid-
cycling bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I
A person affected by bipolar I disorder has had at least one manic episode in his or her life. A
manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood, accompanied by abnormal behavior
that disrupts life.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over
time. However, in bipolar II disorder, the "up" moods never reach full-on mania.
Rapid Cycling
In rapid cycling, a person with bipolar disorder experiences four or more episodes of mania
or depression in one year. About 10% to 20% of people with bipolar disorder have rapid
cycling.
Mixed Bipolar
In most forms of bipolar disorder, moods alternate between elevated and depressed over
time. But with mixed bipolar disorder, a person experiences both mania and depression
simultaneously or in rapid sequence.
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder) is a relatively mild mood disorder. People with
cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than in full-blown bipolar disorder.
*WebMD
** Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
home
may suffer from bipolar contact allaboutyou-online-therapy via
live chat or email for further information and assistance.
What Is Bipolar Disorder? *
Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depressive disorder or manic depression. It's a
serious mental illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and
careers, and even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) – from mania to
depression. Between these mood swings, a person with bipolar disorder may experience
normal moods.
Bipolar Disorder Therapy
Along with medication, ongoing psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, is an important part of
treatment for bipolar disorder. During therapy, you can discuss feelings, thoughts, and
behaviors that cause you problems. Talk therapy can help you understand and ultimately
master any problems that hurt your ability to function well in life. It also helps you stay on
your medication -- and helps you deal with effects of bipolar disorder on your social and
work life. It can help you maintain a positive self-image.
Types of psychotherapy used to treat bipolar disorder include:
Behavioral therapy. This focuses on behaviors that decrease stress.
Cognitive therapy. This type of approach involves learning to identify and modify the
patterns of thinking that accompany mood shifts.
Interpersonal therapy. This involves relationships and aims to reduce strains that the
illness may place upon them.
Social rhythm therapy. This helps you develop and maintain daily routines.
Bipolar is a complex illness. There are many different symptoms and several different types
of bipolar disorder. The primary symptoms of the disorder are dramatic and unpredictable
mood swings. The various types of bipolar disorder range from mild to severe.
Symptoms **
Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.
Mania Symptoms
Mania symptoms may include excessive happiness, excitement, irritability, restlessness,
increased energy, less need for sleep, racing thoughts, high sex drive, and a tendency to make
grand and unattainable plans.
Depression Symptoms
Depression symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of energy,
uncontrollable crying, change in appetite causing weight loss or gain, increased need for
sleep, difficulty making decisions, and thoughts of death or suicide.
Types of Bipolar **
Bipolar Types
There are several types of bipolar disorder; all involve episodes of depression and mania to a
degree. They include bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, mixed bipolar, and rapid-
cycling bipolar disorder.
Bipolar I
A person affected by bipolar I disorder has had at least one manic episode in his or her life. A
manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood, accompanied by abnormal behavior
that disrupts life.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over
time. However, in bipolar II disorder, the "up" moods never reach full-on mania.
Rapid Cycling
In rapid cycling, a person with bipolar disorder experiences four or more episodes of mania
or depression in one year. About 10% to 20% of people with bipolar disorder have rapid
cycling.
Mixed Bipolar
In most forms of bipolar disorder, moods alternate between elevated and depressed over
time. But with mixed bipolar disorder, a person experiences both mania and depression
simultaneously or in rapid sequence.
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymia (cyclothymic disorder) is a relatively mild mood disorder. People with
cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than in full-blown bipolar disorder.
*WebMD
** Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
home
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Follow me on twitter.com/StenetFrost for online hours and tidbits on how to live your life the way you see yourself living it! |