Studies shows that in 60 percent of bipolar disorder cases, the first major depressive or manic episode is preceded by a significant stressor. Moreover, the more a person experiences mood swings, the more he or she is vulnerable to developing future relapses. Not only that, but relapses may diminish the effectiveness of drugs.
While bipolar disorder is not a medical condition that can be self-treated, there are several simple steps you can take to minimize your episodes and effectively manage bipolar disorder on a long-term basis.
Treating bipolar disorder with prescription medications may be a necessary first step to get the symptoms of this disease under control. However, the drugs used for this health problem are indeed strong. For that reason, many people search for gentler, more natural approaches to tempering the episodes to provide some type of relief.
Medical science has yet to uncover a reason why some people develop bipolar disorder. It’s believed, though, that a variety of biological, genetic and environmental factors seem to work together to trigger these episodes.
There are different kinds of emotions that you can feel throughout your life. There are times where you are happy, and there are also times where you will feel depressed about something. This is a normal reaction to the environment. If something pleases you, you will be happy and if something bad happens, you will feel depressed.
Bipolar disorder is a very serious mental illness. People with bipolar disorder experience dramatic mood swings. They experience an overly energetic high as well as a lightening-fast crash to hopeless, depressing lows — and then back again. The high feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.
Unfortunately, bipolar disorder can can be inherited. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.