Also called manic
depression, Bipolar Disorder is a
mental illness under the Affective
Disorders classification. It is
caused by problematic
psychophysiology and can be treated
first with psychotropic medication.
This disorder is often misdiagnosed
because bipolar patients may be
primarily depressed, manic, rapid
cycling or in remission. Manic
states may be accompanied by rapid
speaking, insomnia, flight of ideas,
tremendous energy, poor impulse
control and poor judgment.
Read more about
bipolar disorder here.
Bipolar II Disorder is a variation of bipolar disorder defined by at
least one “hypomanic” episode, which has fewer symptoms than that noted in a
full manic episode and tends to be less intense, prolonged, or severe. If left
untreated, bipolar or bipolar II disorder can sometimes be accompanied by
hallucinations and other signs of psychosis.
In addition to medication, psychotherapy and family therapy are often
recommended to provide monitoring of behavior, compliance with medication,
family support, better understanding of the problem, and more willingness to
face it appropriately.
An excellent book on bipolar disorder is An Unquiet Mind, by Dr. Kay
Jamison, who is an esteemed psychologist under ongoing care for this condition.
