Bipolar affects how many people

It is important to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder as early as possible to help people avoid or reduce relapses and rehospitalizations. Several promising, large-scale studies suggest early intervention may forestall the worst long-term outcomes of this devastating brain disorder. Individuals experiencing mania often lack self-awareness and do not recognize that they are ill, a clinical symptom called anosognosia. They may require treatment in the hospital to prevent self-destructive, impulsive, or aggressive behavior.

Hospital stays can be as brief as two weeks and as long as six months. The most important types of medication used to control the symptoms of bipolar disorder are mood stabilizers and antidepressants. Symptoms of bipolar disorder Although no single pattern of symptoms fits every individual with bipolar disorder, there are four distinct types of mood episodes that can occur over the course of the illness Mania often begin with a pleasurable sense of heightened energy, creativity, and social ease — feelings that without proper medical treatment can quickly escalate out of control into a full-blown manic episode.

Treating bipolar disorder Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it is a highly treatable disease. Mood stabilizers, the mainstay of long-term preventive treatment for both mania and depression, are used to improve symptoms during acute manic, hypomanic, and mixed episodes; they also may reduce symptoms of depression. The most widely used mood stabilizers include lithium Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate, and other brands , valproate used as divalproex or Depakote , and carbamazepine Tegretol.

About one in three people will be completely free of symptoms by taking mood-stabilizing medications for life. In conjunction with the mood stabilizers, antianxiety medications such as lorazepam Ativan and clonazepam Klonopin and antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol Haldol and perphenazine Trilafon are used for insomnia, agitation, or other symptoms, during a manic phase.

Most experts consider the following two types of antidepressants to be the most effective for bipolar patients: bupropion Wellbutrin or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine Prozac ; fluvoxamine Luvox ; paroxetine Paxil , and sertraline Zoloft. There are many other choices if these do not work, or if they cause unpleasant side effects, including: mirtazapine Remeron , monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenelzine Nardil and tranylcypromine Parnate ; nefazodone Serzone ; tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline Elavil , desipramine Norpramin, Pertofrane , imipramine Tofranil , nortriptyline Pamelor ; and venlafaxine Effexor.

A medical professional will diagnose bipolar disorder using criteria set out in the DSM The National Institue of Mental Health NIMH explain that in order to receive a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, a person must have had symptoms for at least 7 days , or less if symptoms were severe enough to need hospitalization.

They may also have had a depressive episode lasting at least 2 weeks. To receive a diagnosis of bipolar II, a person will have experienced at least one cycle of hypomania and depression.

A doctor may carry out a physical examination and some diagnostic tests, including blood and urine tests, to help rule out other causes. It can be challenging for a doctor to diagnose bipolar disorder, as people are more likely to seek help with a low mood than a high mood.

As a result, it can be hard for them to distinguish it from depression. If the person has psychosis, a doctor may misdiagnose their condition as schizophrenia. Some antidepressants can trigger mania in susceptible people. A person who receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder has a lifelong diagnosis.

They may enjoy long periods of stability, but they will always live with the condition. Learn more here about bipolar disorder versus schizophrenia. The goal is to help the person function effectively in daily life. It can take time to get a correct diagnosis and find a suitable treatment, as individuals react differently, and symptoms vary widely.

Here, get some tips on how to cope. Drug treatments can help stabilize mood and manage symptoms. A doctor will often prescribe a combination of:. The doctor may need to adjust the medication over time. Some drugs have side effects, and they can affect individuals differently.

If an individual has concerns about their drug treatment, they should talk to their doctor. Through cognitive-behavior therapy CBT and other approaches, the individual can learn to:.

These steps can help a person maintain positive relationships at home and work. For children and teens with bipolar disorder, a doctor may recommend family therapy. Find out more about treatments for bipolar depression.

Some people may need to spend time in the hospital if there is a risk of them harming themselves or others. Some people use supplements, but it is essential to discuss this with a doctor first. Some alternative remedies can interact with the drugs used for bipolar disorder. They may make symptoms worse. Get some tips here on taking care of a parent with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder appears to result from a combination of factors. Genetic factors : Bipolar disorder is more common in those who have a family member with the condition. A number of genetic features may be involved. Contribute to Mental Health Research. These shifts in mood and energy levels are more severe than the normal ups and downs that are experienced by everyone. Statistics NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States.

Help for Mental Illnesses If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Clinical Trials If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials. Stakeholder Engagement Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.

Education and Awareness Use these free mental health education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about topics like eating disorders, autism awareness, and suicide prevention.

Application Process Explore the NIMH grant application process, including how to write your grant, how to submit your grant, and how the review process works. Small Business Research Learn about funding opportunities for small businesses.

Meetings and Events Details about upcoming events — including meetings, conferences, workshops, lectures, webinars, and chats — sponsored by the NIMH.

Multimedia NIMH videos and podcasts featuring science news, lecture series, meetings, seminars, and special events. Press Resources Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources.

Innovation Speaker Series NIMH hosts an annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery. Gordon, M.