Manic-depressive psychosis, better known to psychologists as bipolar or manic-depressive disorder, is a mental illness associated with mood swings. Patients can go through several phases - episodes, some of which are productive and do not interfere with a person's functioning in society, while others can be dangerous either for the patient himself or for others.
What is bipolar disorder
Originally, the term "manic-depressive psychosis" referred to all mood disorders. The concept was introduced at the end of the 19th century and existed until the sixties of the 20th century, when the German scientist, psychiatrist Karl Leonhard created his own nosological classification of psychotic diseases. Leonhard coined the term bipolar disorder and contrasted it with unipolar disorder. In simpler terms, he distinguished patients with major depressive disorder from those with episodes of depression alternating with periods of mania. Psychosis, which is present in one of the names of the disease, is one of its most serious stages.
Bipolar disorder affects about 4% of the world's population.
According to the severity of the course, the disease is divided into bipolar disorder I and II type and cyclotomy disorder. Bipolar I disorder is the most dangerous, depressive periods can interfere with social and personal life, and manic episodes can be dangerous for both the patient and others. Bipolar II disorder is less dangerous, but depressive phases in it are longer, but manic episodes usually take the form of hypomania, a less severe disorder. Cyclotomy disorder is the mildest type of disease.
Often in bipolar disorders, those that are seasonal in nature and disorders with a rapid change in phases, cyclical alternation of episodes are distinguished.
Hypomanic and manic episodes
Hypomania is one of the "mild" phases of bipolar disorder. During it, patients may be only slightly more excitable, but active, energetic and even possibly more successful. Hypomania, like mania, is characterized by increased self-confidence and, to varying degrees, increased self-esteem.
Moving from goipomania to mania, it hurts to feel not just smart and successful, but "bulletproof", infallible, full of brilliant ideas and energy for their implementation. The patient in a manic episode "chokes" in the abundance of his own thoughts, his speech becomes chaotic and spontaneous, the language does not keep up with the words born in the exhausted mind. It is difficult to interrupt the patients, sometimes they begin to speak in rhyme and not only desperately gesticulate, but also dance, without ceasing to broadcast. Insomnia is a characteristic symptom of a manic episode. Patients feel that they have so much energy that 2-3 hours of sleep a day is enough to recuperate.
Other symptoms of the manic phase are:
- increased sex drive;
- relaxed and risky behavior;
- increased irritability;
- unreasonable financial investments, revelry and risky spending;
- craving for alcohol and drugs.
It is difficult for the patient to concentrate, his thoughts jump from one to another. It is in the manic phase that a person can become aggressive and prone to psychosis, up to delusional and hallucogenic disorder. Manic episodes are dangerous not only for the sick, but also for those around them.
Depressive episodes
During the depressive phase, the patient may not get out of bed for days on end, arguing that he has no need to go somewhere, and he has no strength to do so.the activity of a manic episode is replaced by apathy, confidence in one's own exclusiveness - in the conviction of the insignificance and uselessness of one's existence.
The symptoms of a depressive episode are:
- an abnormal decrease or increase in appetite;
- loss of sex drive;
- indecision;
- increased anxiety;
- heightened sense of guilt;
- loss of concentration.
The depressive phase can also become psychotic and be accompanied, in an acute form, by delusions and hallucinations. In a depressive episode, the patient, most often, is dangerous to himself, because he is often visited by thoughts of suicide. which he can implement.
Mixed affective episodes
Mixed episodes are the most dangerous in bipolar disorder. During them, the patient simultaneously exhibits symptoms of both depression and mania. He may burst into tears during his “brilliant” inspirational speech or jump out of bed without reason and indulge in vigorous activity, the patient can simultaneously make grandiose plans and feel like a failure. Panic attacks end in aggression.
In any phase of the disorder, the patient needs the help of qualified doctors.
