Bipolar Disorder

About Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 40 million people worldwide according to WHO, with lifetime estimates of around 1 to 2 percent of the population. It is characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania alternating with depression. Type I requires at least one manic episode lasting at least 7 days or requiring hospitalization. Type II involves at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode. Mania involves elevated or irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, rapid speech, grandiosity, impulsivity, and potentially dangerous behaviors. Psychotic symptoms can occur in severe mania. Hypomania is similar but less severe and does not cause significant functional impairment. Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are often severe and carry a substantially elevated suicide risk. The disorder has high heritability, estimated at around 60 to 85 percent. Treatment commonly involves mood stabilizers: lithium the gold standard, reducing both manic and depressive episodes and lowering suicide risk, anticonvulsants valproate, lamotrigine particularly for depression, carbamazepine. Atypical antipsychotics quetiapine, olanzapine, aripiprazole, lurasidone are used for acute mania and maintenance. Antidepressants can trigger manic episodes and are generally used cautiously alongside a mood stabilizer. Crisis support is available through local emergency numbers or crisis lines for anyone at immediate risk.