Living with bipolar disorder is pure confusion. It’s always like, “am I allowed to be upset about this thing or am I being oversensitive?” – healthPlace.com
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition that features extreme changes in mood with fluctuating energy levels.
In Ghana 13% of the adult population suffer some form of mental disorder include bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is common among age 15-25 years and affects the normal activities of patients, their relationships, academic performance as well as careers.
Often misdiagnosed as High fever, Drug intoxication, and severe infections the DSM-5 and ICD-10 outlines various criteria for diagnosis with name ranging from Bipolar to Manic-Depressive Disorder.
Bipolar has no definite cause but is linked with the following:
1. Brain-Chemical imbalances
2. Hormonal factors
3. Environmental factors
4. Genetic factors
Symptoms are characterized by periods of excessive elevated and irritable mood known as the manic state and alternating periods of deep, prolonged depression.
Symptoms seen in manic episodes includes the following :
1. Distractibility.
2.Increased goal focused activities at home or work.
3.Grandiosity.
4.Flight of Ideas/ racing thoughts.
5. Increased excessive pleasurable activities with painful consequences.
6. Sleep disturbances.
7. Talkativeness or pressured speech.
Major Depressive episodes are characterized by:
1. Depressed mood.
2. Diminished interest in all activities.
3. Loss of appetite / weight loss.
4 insomnia / hypersomnia.
5. Psychomotor retardation or agitation.
6. Loss of energy or fatigue.
7. Feeling of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
8. Decreased concentration ability or marked indecisiveness.
9. Suicidal/ homicidal ideation.
Treatment modalities include the following:
1. Medical therapy in the form of hospitalization and drugs.
2. Psychotherapy
3. Cognitive behavioral therapy.
4. Electroconvulsive therapy
5. Regular exercise, healthy meals and a good sleep.
With adequate treatment many people with this condition can have normal work study and productive life.
Source:
Dr. Kwaku Anyimadu
MBChB, UCC.
(kanyimadu@yahoo.com)
References:
