BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER What is it? BPAD is a mood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of depressed or elevated mood and associated symptoms. How common is it? One out of every hundred person suffers from BPAD. It can affect anyone irrespective of gender, race, religion, social class and country. What are the common symptoms? BPAD is an episodic illness; people have periods of abnormal behavior and in between these, they are normal. There are 2 phases of illness – depression and mania. Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness irrespective of situation, tiredness and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities, tension, disturbances in sleep and appetite. In extreme cases, they may think of killing themselves. Mania: Extreme happiness, irritability, increased energy and speech, excessive spending, decreased need for sleep, increased self-esteem, increased activity. Sometimes there may be a combination of both symptoms in the same episode. What are the causes of BPAD? Current theories suggest that BPAD is caused by a combination of biological, social and psychological
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BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER
What is it?
BPAD is a mood disorder characterized
by recurrent episodes of depressed or
elevated mood and associated symptoms.
How common is it?
One out of every hundred person suffers from BPAD.
It can affect anyone irrespective of gender, race,
religion, social class and country.
What are the common symptoms?
BPAD is an episodic illness; people have periods of
abnormal behavior and in between these, they are
normal. There are 2 phases of illness – depression
and mania.
Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness
irrespective of situation, tiredness and loss of
interest in usually enjoyable activities, tension,
disturbances in sleep and appetite. In extreme cases,
they may think of killing themselves.
Mania: Extreme happiness, irritability, increased
energy and speech, excessive spending, decreased
need for sleep, increased self-esteem, increased
activity.
Sometimes there may be a combination of both
symptoms in the same episode.
What are the causes of BPAD?
Current theories suggest that BPAD
is caused by a combination of
biological, social and psychological
factors. Predisposing genes and stress can result in
imbalance of chemicals in brain and these in turn
result in mood episode.
What are the treatments available?
Effective treatments are available to treat an
episode and also prevent further occurrence.
Medications: Effective medications called mood
stabilizers are given to reduce the symptoms and to
prevent further episodes.
Electro convulsive therapy: This is a highly effective
and safe treatment for severe cases when other
interventions are not effective.
Counseling - Psychotherapy: To help patient cope
with the stress, identify triggers of episodes,
regularize activities and address other life situations
What is the course and outcome of BPAD?
Bipolar disorder generally begins in adolescence and
adulthood. If untreated, there will be progressive
worsening of illness as age advances. The recurrences
can effectively be prevented with adherence to
medication.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE MENTAL HEALTH AND
NEURO SCIENCES
Consultation Liaison Psychiatry
NIMHANS CENTRE FOR WELLBEING
1/B, 9th main, 1st phase, 1st stage, BTM Layout,
Bangalore–76,
Phone– 080 26685948/ 9480829670,
Email– [email protected]
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