We all have our ups and downs, periods when joy and happiness radiate from us and days when we would prefer not to leave our room. In bipolar disorder these ups and downs are much more intense.
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What is BPAD?
Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD, also known as manic-depressive psychosis) is a mental disorder characterised by cyclical, alternating periods of depression and mania.
During the depressive phase, patients lose their previous interests and are unable to experience pleasure. They are unable to focus attention, make the smallest decisions or show initiative. Suicidal thoughts and death wishes are also common, and the possibility of a suicide attempt should not then be underestimated.
In the mania phase, patients are bursting with energy and joy. They need little sleep. They jump from topic to topic in conversation. They have unrealistic visions of wealth, power or ideal love. They flaunt their money, have numerous sexual relationships and initiate grand ventures, which they soon abandon. When it turns out that their exuberant ambitions are not satisfied, persecutory delusions may appear.
Usually, a depressive episode is the first to occur, while a period of mania may not occur until several years later (although mania is more likely to occur first in men than in women). An untreated manic episode lasts about four months, while a depressive episode lasts about six months.
Types of BPAD
Type I affective disorder. This is the classic form of BPAD. Periods are sometimes long and the severity of mania is high.
Type II affective disorder. This form of BPAD has a milder course. Periods of transition from mania to depression are somewhat shorter and the mania itself is much milder than in type one.
Cyclothymia. This is a mild form of BPAD, as both periods of depression and mania are milder than in type one. It also does not usually require drug treatment.
The disease is hereditary. About 50% of BPAD patients have relatives with similar mood disorders. The shared incidence of the disease in monozygotic twins is at 60%, in dizygotic twins about 20%. If both parents have the disease, the likelihood of the child having BPAD is 75%. Families with BPAD also have an increased risk of depression.
Living with bipolar affective disorder
Bipolar disorder affects 4-8 per cent of humanity, it can affect any of us. When we are ill, we can study normally, work, raise a family or bring up children. We can enjoy life. Robin Wiliams, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kurt Cobain or Ernest Hamingway are just some examples of some famous BPAD sufferers who, despite their disorder, were able to make it in their professional lives too.
Of course, life is not always so colourful, the disease sometimes brings with it considerable limitations and requires regular treatment, which is very important. Without appropriate pharmacotherapy, a person can cause a lot of harm to loved ones, the environment and themselves, including suicide attempts. The support and understanding of loved ones and society is also very important.
Unfortunately, in our country mentally ill people are still perceived in a negative way and stereotypes are still circulating about them. This results in people not admitting their illness, not wanting to see a psychiatrist, hiding it from their family and at work.
Statistics
One person in 100 suffers from bipolar dis order in its classic form (type 1 ). Type 2 disorder affects 4% of the population, and if we also include cyclothymia in this statistic, perhaps 8%. Type 1 equally affects both sexes; in type 2, as in unipolar illness (depression), women are twice as likely to be affected. Statistically, it is most common for the first episode of the illness to be diagnosed at the age of 20-30 years, but the first symptoms can appear as early as 10 years earlier, sometimes even in young children, in the form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is thought that 20% of children with this disorder (primary symptoms: inability to focus attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity) will develop one form of bipolar disorder.
Let's remember, in order to live with the awareness of mental illness and not let this awareness weaken us, it is necessary to treat mental illness like any other illness, i.e. treat the symptoms and use the available sources and ways of support.
