Nature of Bipolar Disorder

Many people are still confused on what to believe about the nature and diagnosis of the disease. One classic myth states that bipolar manic depressive disorder is a single identifiable disorder. Actually, bipolar is categorized as a class of mood disorder where a person suffers episodes of depression and mania or mixed states. In between episodes, a bipolar patient may not show any symptoms.

Another belief states that this mental condition cannot be diagnosed in its early stages. That is not exactly true. While there are no physical tests involved in diagnosing bipolar disorder, more accurate diagnosis is performed using psychiatric laboratory tests and psychiatric rating scales, which involve the patient's medical and psychiatric history and notes of observable behavior.

While most bipolar patients are adults, it was somehow generalized that children do not get bipolar. Actually, infants can show signs of the disease at a very early age. Although the symptoms on both children and adults are often mistaken as part of growing up or growing old, severe mood changes needs to be taken seriously. A complete physical examination and psychological evaluation must be in order.

Lastly, many believe that bipolar manic depressive disorder is a rare condition. The “Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation” estimate at least three quarters of a million of American Children and teens is suffering from the disease. According to WebMD.com, about 5.7 million American adults are suffering from this mental condition.  A lot of people believe that this condition is just another name for mood swing, the mood swings of bipolar patient is more severe, lasting and may interfere with normal activities.

On Treatment

Many believe that depression is just a state of mind and it does not really require all those pills and therapy. They believe that by thinking positively, bipolar episodes will just go away. Bipolar manic depressive disorder is as real as diabetes or cancer, which needs immediate treatment. It requires more than "snapping out of it" to feel better.

People are normally anxious about taking medications. Among bipolar patients, the fear that medications can cause side effects, addiction and change of one's personality is prevalent. Actually, doctors prescribe medications with specific instructions and dosages to their use. This way, they will never become addictive. Medications helps keep mood episodes stable and even, not cloud a person's judgment. To some, this disease can be a lifetime battle. Hence the myth that people with bipolar will never get better. A patient who is correctly diagnosed and treated enjoys greater chances of living a stable, normal and healthy life.

Reminder

One must remember that bipolar manic depressive disorder symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are different from patient to patient. The disease looks very different to different people. Some people are prone to mania, some to depression. Some immediately react positively to medications, some do not. Hence, it is never safe to generalize opinions about this condition. Seeking truth in every bipolar myth is the key to fully understanding the demands and calls of this preventable, treatable and manageable mental health condition.