The key to a successful treatment of a bipolar disorder is the right diagnosis. Diagnosis may not be so easy because its symptoms are episodic. Thus, a comprehensive history is needed. Though it is a psychological illness, an exhaustive medical history and physical exam are also needed to rule out any physical cause of the symptoms of the mood disorder.

A detailed history taking and mental status examination is essential to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. A complete history of both the present and past symptoms must be taken. Generally, depressed patients experience psychomotor retardation and have decreased activity. They have a decreased rate and volume of speech. Some may have delusions and hallucinations. They have a pessimistic view

of themselves and of the world. Majority of them have attempted suicide or contemplated about it. In contrast, manic patients are very euphoric, excited and hyperactive. They are amusing to interview and they may sometimes even appear psychotic. They can have a low frustration tolerance and become very irritable.

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While last January 30 may have come and gone without any fanfare, it marked an anniversary of sorts. It was on that day in 1835 that the first assassination attempt on a United States president occurred. While that in itself may not have been all that noteworthy given later U.S. history, it was memorable all the same Richard Lawrence was born in England in or around the year 1800 (the exact date is lost to history). There is little available information concerning his early life, only that he was a completely unremarkable house painter who became increasingly unstable and unemployable as he grew older. While the prevailing opinion was that he was schizophrenic, later sources

have suggested that his psychiatric problems may have been related to chemical exposure from the toxic paints that he had used as a painter.

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Bipolar depression disorder generally occurs before the age of 30 years and may first develop during adolescence, but most commonly presents its symptoms in the late teens and early 20s. It is a type of mood disorder that exhibits marked changes in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe depression. Bipolar disorder used to be referred to as manic depression.

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologically for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).

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What is Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that manifests itself in a person through ups and downs in moods and energy levels. Many a time, it is confused with depression and sporadic mood swings. However, it must be understood that bipolar disorder is not a state of mind. It is a brain disorder - a mental illness which is long term. Till now, no permanent cure has been found for the same. What is it all about then read on!

Bipolar disorder causes the victims to swing between two entirely different moods. Sometimes, they might be extremely euphoric and excited. Other times, they will be melancholy and dejected. As the word bipolar rightly indicates, there are

two parts - mania and depression. Apart from mood swings, other symptoms include going on a spending spree, reduced need for sleep, increased feeling of sensuality and sexual drive, easy irritability, abysmal faith in oneself and so on. The disorder is fairly entrenched if there is an urge to commit suicide or lack of willingness to live. If you have any friends/relatives who keep talking about their lack of desire to live, then its time to rush them to a doctor.

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There are several symptoms to bipolar disorder that are often attributed to mood swings or disregarded as insignificant. However, manic depression is a severe disorder that can drastically impact a person s life and stability. It can also be very difficult to handle for the loved ones of the person with the illness. People who are close to a person with manic depressive disorder can take the symptoms of the illness personally, when really there are neurons in the person s brain that induce them to act a certain way that is out of their control. It is hard to see that sometimes though, especially when there are emotions involved. It can also be

difficult not to fall into the same mood swings as the patient has. Bipolar marriages, bipolar pregnancies, and bipolar families are all very difficult to deal with. Listed ahead are a few tips indication how you can treat a loved one with the disorder.

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