Bipolar disorder is a serious, life-long mental disorder. It is normal from time to time to have mood swings. Our behavior and emotional health will depend on the external factors we encounter every day. These factors are stress, sleep troubles, traumatic events and so on. However, a normal person will be able to cope without causing any injury to their selves. But people with bipolar disorder it will be a daily struggle. It is hard for them to understand and respond in an appropriate manner.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extremes mood swings. Individuals with this mental illness can be happy one time to extremely sad or worried the next time, then back again. Sometimes they can have normal moods in between. The euphoric or ‘up’ feeling is called mania and the ‘down’ feeling is called depression.
There is no clear cause of bipolar disorder but it can be hereditary. Brain function and structure can also be a factor. This mental disorder can sometimes start in an individual’s late teen or early adult years. Though it’s a lifetime condition, the symptoms can be managed with a proper treatment plan.
Bipolar disorders have several forms:
- Bipolar I disorder – this form will exhibit at least one manic episode followed by a major depression. There are instances that an episode of mania after a major depression can cause psychosis.
- Bipolar II disorder – this type is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder. It is a totally different diagnosis. This type will have longer episodes of major depression have and will never experience a manic episode.
- Cyclothymic disorder – This condition will include periods of mild manic form followed by mild depression. An individual will have at least two years of cyclothymic condition – a year for children or young adults.
- Other types. These are bipolar disorders that are induced by other factors, such as a result because of an existing medical condition like Cushing’s disease or stroke.
Generally, bipolar disorder can start at any age; it is typically diagnosed in teenage years or early adulthood.
If you think you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder you should seek medical assistance. You may also be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits. The SSA considered Bipolar Disorder as a medical condition that would make you eligible for SSDI and SSI. Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a “Listing of Medical Impairments” (known as the blue book) that automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).