Cause Of Bipolar Disorder

Understanding the Cause of Bipolar Disorder

The cause of bipolar disorder is not completely understood, however there are various theories. One potential risk factor is genetics. If there are members of your family that suffer from bipolar disorder, you have a higher chance of also suffering from it. Another theory is that this disorder can sometimes be related to thyroid levels. Then there's the theory that bipolar disorder is caused by brain chemistry and/or structure. Regardless of why bipolar disorder happens, it's important to seek prompt treatment if you suspect this disorder in yourself or a family member.

A person suffering from bipolar disorder will experience alternating episodes of depression and mania. Some sufferers may experience hypomania, which is a milder variation. There may be a period of normal behavior in between these two polarities. The duration of episodes can vary widely. For example, an episode can last a few days, several weeks, or several months. Episodes may be mild, moderate or severe.

During your initial consultation, medical tests may be recommended to rule out other diseases or disorders. As mentioned before, abnormal thyroid levels can cause bipolar symptoms. Certain deficiencies, neurological conditions and hormone imbalances may also be to blame. Once these factors are eliminated, bipolar will be diagnosed based on a series of psychological tests. You will be asked to describe your symptoms in detail. When do they occur? For how long? How severe are they? Have you noticed any particular triggers? These are all important questions that will need to be answered. Your family history may also be examined, as genetics may also play a role. You may also be asked about your lifestyle, such as whether or not you smoke, drink or use drugs.

Treatment will depend on not only the cause of bipolar disorder, but the type and the severity. Types of bipolar disorder include Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder and Unspecified Bipolar Disorder. Most of the time, treatment includes medication and regular therapy sessions. Examples of medications commonly prescribed for this disorder include mood stabilizers like Lithium, antidepressants like Prozac and antipsychotics like Abilify. The particular medication or medications that you are prescribed will depend on the type of bipolar disorder you have, the severity and duration of your symptoms, and what your doctor feels will work best for you.

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Bipolar Disorder News:

Children Of Older Fathers More Likely To Have Bipolar Disorder, New Report Finds (Science Daily)
Older age among fathers may be associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring, according to a new report...

Bipolar disorder more likely in children of older fathers - Healthcare Republic

Bipolar disorder more likely in children of older fathers
Healthcare Republic - Sep 5, 2008
Children of older fathers are almost one and a half times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than children of younger men, Swedish research suggests. .

Add-On Therapy Improves Depressive Symptoms In Bipolar Disorder
Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments. Because individuals with both depression and bipolar disorder experience a glutathione deficiency, ...

New Data Highlight Benefit Of SEROQUEL Monotherapy For Long-Term Treatment Of Bipolar Disorder (Medical News Today)
Results presented at the 21st European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) congress in Barcelona, Spain have demonstrated the efficacy of SEROQUEL (quetiapine fumarate) monotherapy for maintenance treatment in patients with bipolar disorder...

Find the lowest prices on Bipolar Disorder for Dummies only at eBay
Bipolar Disorder affects many more people than just the 2.5 million Americans who suffer from the disease. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder also affects spouses, partners, family members, ...

Early intervention in bipolar disorder, Part I & Part 2
In a companion paper, we discussed methodological issues pertaining to early intervention in bipolar disorder (BPD), reviewed clinical studies that focus on high-risk subjects as well as first-episode patients, and reviewed findings ...

Bipolar: Overdiagnosed or Epidemic? (The Herald Democrat)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, has entries for seven different types of bipolar disorder. Each lists different qualifications for diagnosis; each defines the most recent episodes to determine the ultimate type. No type of bipolar is curable...

Older dads beget more bipolar kids (Philly.com)
A warning for the older man who seeks fatherhood: the child may be more likely to develop bipolar disorder when grown up. Researchers analyzed the records of 13,428 patients in Sweden who had the severe mood disorder, comparing each case with five control patients who did not have the disease...

New Study Finds That Add-On Therapy Improves Depressive Symptoms In Bipolar Disorder (Medical News Today)
Lingering depression is a serious and common problem in bipolar disorder, and does not resolve well with existing treatments...

Kid bipolar disorder linked to older dads (UPI)
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Fathers who are older may be associated with an increased risk for their offspring to have bipolar disorder, Swedish researchers said...

Bipolar Disorder - GlobalTV

Bipolar Disorder
GlobalTV, Canada - Sep 3, 2008
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depressive disorder) is a mood disorder that consists of periods of extremely elevated mood (mania), extremely low .

Healthy Difference on 'Today's THV at 5': Bipolar Disorder (KTHV Little Rock)
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings, from deep depression to manic highs. It affects more than 5 million Americans. Children born to older fathers face a greater chance of developing bipolar disorder. That's according to one of the largest studies linking mental illness with older parents...

Special Report - Bipolar Disorder In Kids
Health Information on Bipolar Disorder,diagnosed,diagnosis,help,assisted,depression,depressive disorder,depression,suppressed,Medication,drugs,mood change,mood changes/swing,early,early stage,onset of,onset,Disorder,mood disorder,manic ...

Bipolar disorder: What you need to know - Food Consumer

Bipolar disorder: What you need to know
Food Consumer, IL - Sep 3, 2008
By NIH Older men may be at risk of having children with bipolar disorder, according to a study published in the Sep. 2008 issue of Archives of General .

Rhythms of body clock 'linked to human mood disorder' - Hindu

Rhythms of body clock 'linked to human mood disorder'
Hindu, India - Sep 5, 2008
According to them, mood disorders such as bipolar disorder have long been linked to sleep problems, suggesting that the circadian system plays a role in .

Sleep trouble linked to bipolar disorder - Times of India

Sleep trouble linked to bipolar disorder
Times of India, India - Sep 4, 2008
His research has linked the body clock and certain psychological responses, including the capacity to trigger relapses in patients with bipolar disorder. .

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