4. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is one of the most common types of mental health conditions in the world. It affects about 1% of the population, but it appears that this rate may be higher because many cases go undiagnosed.
Bipolar disorder can be difficult for a person to manage on their own. They may have trouble with remembering to take medications or sticking to their treatment plan, so there will need to be treated with medication and psychotherapy (“talk therapy”). Medications are used for symptom management, while psychotherapy helps people understand what triggers their bipolar episodes and how they might prevent future episodes from happening or at least lessen their intensity.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder are often divided into two categories: manic and depressive.
During a manic episode the person will experience:
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- Unusually high levels of energy
- Increased talking, racing thoughts, or increased sexual behaviour
- Unusually high levels of activity or agitation.
During a depressive episode the person will experience:
- Persistent sadness and worry
- Loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable or interesting to them
- Difficulty concentrating for extended periods of time.