Bipolar Affective disorder
What is Bipolar affective disorder- involves severe mood swings, which takes the form of depression or mania may last for several months. Bipolar disorder typically consists of three states, a high state- called mania, a low state- called depression, a well state, during which the person feels normal and functions well.
Symptoms of Mania
- Extreme happiness for an extended period of time.
- An abnormally increased level of irritability.
- Overconfidence or an extremely inflated self esteem
- Increased talkativeness
- Decrease amount of sleep
- Risky behaviour, such as spending sprees and impulsive sex
- Racing thoughts, jumping quickly from one idea to another
- Distractibility
- Agitation or ‘jumpiness’
Treatment for Bipolar disorder
- Medication such as mood stabilizers, benzodiazepine and second-generation antipsychotics can be used to treat bipolar disorder.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a popular psychotherapy used as an intervention treatment of bipolar disorder. This therapy focuses on understanding the illness, learning how to cope with changing pattern of thinking.