“You’re so bipolar!” My siblings
would throw around that phrase when we had unexplainable mood swings. Never did
we give a thought of what it really meant or that one of us would someday be
diagnosed with it. I always knew my
brother was a little “crazy”. He would
get so hyper and run around sometimes and then be blissful and then just angry
and antisocial. Bipolar has three main
subcategories: type I, type II, & cyclothymia. Type I, previously known as manic depression,
is basically one manic episiode (at least) and periods of major
depression. Type II is hypomania (not full
mania but bursts of energy and impulsiveness) and episodes of depression. Cyclothymia is less mood swings, but is
similar to type II. There are several
symptoms like being easily distracted or poor judgment. Each person varies with their symptoms and
sometimes can even be diagnosed as depressed instead of bipolar. The hyperlink above on bipolar gives detailed
symptoms as well as treatment and mood stabilizers that are usually used. Bipolar is an actual disorder and not
something that should be taken lightly.
I’ve always wondered what causes
it, how can a doctor be sure that someone really has a bipolar disorder and
what part does genetics play? (Click genetics to access the article) The Scripps Research Institute has found
variations in genes that increase the risks of bipolar disorder. Those genes appear to be associated with a
biochemical pathway know as cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling
system. About 29 genes determine if
someone’s risk is higher than another persons.
This disorder is 5 to 6 more likely to happen in someone
that has a sibling or family member with bipolar so I find it interesting that
testing one’s genes can tell a person’s possible story before they even live it
(so to speak just because someone has a higher risk doesn’t necessarily mean
they’ll get it). The video below is of
girl explaining what it’s like to live with the disorder. She goes into what it is, how it feels, and
types of treatment she’s tried. Hearing
her personal struggle and how treatments are different in everyone makes it
feel more real and easy to relate to.
Finding the right “concoction” is important and does make a difference
on how a person reacts from day to day. I also found it really cool that psych central
has a screening quiz so the link on the bottom of the video.
