2023-09-22 10:00:19
It is estimated that between 1 and 2.5% of the French population suffer from this psychiatric illness but the figure would be underestimated…
What is bipolar disorder?
Previously referred to as manic-depressive psychosis or manic depression, “Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness responsible for mood disturbances, most often with alternating states of exaltation and depression.1.
In people suffering from this serious mood disorder, states of elation and depression are interspersed with periods – more or less long – during which the mood is stable.
Phases of exaltation during which patients are very agitated, even euphoric and elated. They tend to take on a lot: make projects, big expenses, etc. and can also be particularly irritable.
- THE depressive episodes
Phases during which the mood is at half mast. Feeling great sadness and weariness, patients tend to withdraw into themselves and can develop suicidal thoughts.
There are 3 forms of bipolar disorder:
- bipolar disorder type I: refers to presence of at least one manic or mixed episode;
- bipolar II disorders, when there is one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania;
- unspecified bipolar disorder.
In addition, symptoms vary from person to person, making it difficult to draw up an exhaustive list. According to the High Authority of Health (HAS)2THE symptoms of bipolar disorder are the following :
- hypomanic (similar symptoms, but less intense than during a so-called “manic” episode);
- manic without psychotic symptoms;
- maniacs with psychotic symptoms;
- mild or moderate depression;
- severe depressives without psychotic symptoms;
- severe depressives with psychotic symptoms;
- mixed (combined mania and depression) without psychotic symptoms;
- mixed with psychotic symptoms.
Bipolarity: causes and origins
It is not yet clear what causes the appearance of serious mood disorders. Several factors are suspected, both genetic (heredity, etc.) and environmental (traumatic shock, etc.). What we know is that, in the brains of sick people, there are neurotransmitter abnormalities …and that manic episodes are associated with an abnormally high level of norepinephrine.
Who can suffer from bipolar disorder?
In general, the disease appears mainly in the later years of adolescence and in young adults, between 15 and 25 years old1. We would observe a prevalence among young women. It therefore takes hold over the long term, in 90% of cases. Bipolar disorder can also appear in people over 60 or even 70 years old.1. Still poorly diagnosed, 10 years often pass between the onset of the disease and the initiation of treatment.
Are bipolar disorders dangerous for your health?
A recently recognized psychiatric illness, bipolar disorder nevertheless has serious consequences. These can range from difficulties in social, professional or effective life to suicide attempts. 1 in 2 patients will make at least one suicide attempt in their life and 15% will die by suicide4. In France, it is estimated that between 1 and 2.5% of the population is affected by this disorder, but this figure would be underestimated. The World Health Organization (WHO) has even classified bipolar disorder among the 10 most disabling pathologies, in 7e position.
Furthermore, although we do not know exactly why, bipolar disorders induce increased cardiovascular riskmetabolic and hormonal diseases.
The life expectancy of patients with bipolar disorder is 10 to 11 years lower on average than the life expectancy of the rest of the population.3.
What treatment(s) to treat bipolar disorder?
There are solutions to alleviate mood disorders, mainly by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Good reflexes to adopt:
When these actions are not enough to calm bipolar disorders, we can also resort to medical treatments involving several health professionals (doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, etc.) as well as medications to alleviate the symptoms during depressive episodes as well as medications to stabilize mood and, in fact, prevent relapses. Cognitive and behavioral therapy may be beneficial. In the event of an extreme crisis, faced with suicidal thoughts, a emergency hospitalization may be necessary.
1.Understanding bipolar disorder, ameli.fr
2. Bipolar disorders, High Authority of Health (HAS).
3. Integrated Neurobiology of Bipolar Disorder. Vladimir Maletic, Charles Raison Front Psychiatry. 2014; 5: 98. Published online 2014 August 25.
4. Bipolar disorders: diagnose earlier to reduce the risk of suicide, High Authority for Health (HAS).
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