Bipolar Disorder
A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder isn’t known, but a combination of genetics, environment, and altered brain structure and chemistry may play a role.
Manic episodes may include symptoms such as high energy, reduced need for sleep, and loss of touch with reality.
Depressive episodes may include symptoms such as low energy, low motivation, and loss of interest in daily activities. Mood episodes last days to months at a time and may also be associated with suicidal thoughts.
Treatment is usually lifelong and often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: W023
Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder
US Patients: 3% in lifetime
World Patients: W2%
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset: Age 25
Brain Area: Below (ventral)pfc, less active on left for depression; on the right for mania.
Symptoms: 71% genetic +childhood abuse and stress; substance abuse; impulsive
Progression: 6% suicide, 35% self-harm;4 days down-months/7 days mania
Causes: dopamine higher in manic; lower in depressive; manic, glutamate higher in left pfc in manic
Medications: lithium, anti-psychotics-in-manic phase; mood-stabilizers; only lithium for children
Therapies: Teaching coping strategies for relapses and taking medication consistently
Please see the support materials for Bipolar I and for Bipolar II which follow.
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among psychiatric patients: A cross sectional study at a tertiary healthcare centerby Hussein Alhawari on December 3, 2024
CONCLUSION: Results of the present study revealed a significant prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among patients with psychiatric disorders (30.8 %). Factors significantly associated with a higher prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension included male sex, older age, higher BMI, family history of cardiovascular disease(s), and use of SNRIs.
- Liquid antipsychotics in the management of psychomotor agitation: a focus on promazineby Marta Matrone on December 3, 2024
Psychomotor agitation (PMA) is a prominent clinical issue frequently observed in various psychiatric and neurological conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson disease, dementia and substance use disorder. Characterized by motor restlessness, anxiety and irritability, PMA can rapidly escalate into aggression and violence, necessitating prompt intervention to ensure patient and caregiver safety. The prevalence of PMA in psychiatric emergency settings ranges from 4.3% to...
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in people with bipolar disorder: A multicentre, randomised controlled trialby Imke Hanssen on December 3, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: In these participants with highly recurrent BD, MBCT may be a treatment option in addition to TAU for those who suffer from moderate to severe levels of depression and functional impairment.
- The Role of Extracellular Vesicles and Microparticles in Central Nervous System Disorders: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Potentialby Soroush Najdaghi on December 3, 2024
Microscopic, membranous vesicles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proposed to play a role in the mechanisms underlying central nervous system (CNS) diseases. EVs are secreted by a variety of cells, including myeloid, endothelial, microglial, oligodendroglial, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Body fluids such as plasma, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contain microparticles (MPs). The detection of MPs in CSF may indicate genetic or environmental susceptibility to conditions...