| Bipolar affective disorder is commonly | | | | social classes are just as prone as low |
| known as "manic depression". It can | | | | class individual's. It has been |
| often be characterized by the episodes | | | | determined that the humans will suffer |
| of depression in which one's mood is | | | | from bipolar affective disorder at some |
| abnormally low. If one is experiencing | | | | point in one's life. |
| mania or hypomania their mood is | | | | Stressful events; illness; or a lack of |
| abnormally elevated with a heightened | | | | support can trigger an episode of |
| mental and often physical activity. | | | | bipolar affective disorder. Also you |
| There is often times when an individual | | | | will find that differences in one's |
| will be able to experience normal moods. | | | | genes can make one more vulnerable than |
| This is a very serious condition but it | | | | others to develop bipolar affective |
| can be helped with the proper treatment. | | | | disorder. |
| Bipolar affective disorder may make one | | | | Often an individual may experience one |
| feel down or depressed with normal | | | | or more episodes and never be ill again. |
| everyday life. The depressive moods will | | | | There are others that are persistently |
| worsen , and go on for longer periods of | | | | experiencing the symptoms of depression |
| time making it hard for an individual to | | | | or mania. They are quick to move from |
| deal with their daily life. | | | | one extreme to another. Individual's can |
| Manic depression can vary in time. An | | | | suffer nine or more episodes in one's |
| individual may experience very abnormal | | | | life time. |
| emotions. It has been known that the one | | | | Often treatment is carried out in a |
| suffering loses contact with reality and | | | | hospital. Mood stabilizers such as |
| starts to believe in strange things or | | | | lithium are often used to prevent mania |
| experience poor judgment and behavior | | | | and depression.It is important to treat |
| that is quiet embarrassing. This can be | | | | them when they occur. |
| very harmful and dangerous. | | | | Antidepressant drugs such as Prozac are |
| These episodes may be accompanied by: | | | | often used to treat depressive episodes. |
| Unusual confidence | | | | Neuroleptics are tranquilizers that are |
| Needing less sleep | | | | used to treat the manic depression. |
| More talkative | | | | Family and friends often play an |
| Racing thoughts | | | | important role in helping their loved |
| Distraction | | | | ones in recovering. Often , |
| Unusual restless or active | | | | psychological therapies and cognitive |
| Problems at home; work; or school | | | | behavioral therapy is used. |
| Depressive symptoms | | | | It is very helpful in recognizing the |
| Bipolar affective disorder not only | | | | early signs of this illness and to seek |
| affects men, but it can also affect | | | | immediate treatment. |
| women equally. Even people in higher | | | | |