Mental illnesses have been more of a focus in medicine in the last decade because of the increased number of diagnosis. Bipolar otherwise known as manic-depressive disorder is one of the mental illnesses that have been a part of this. The average onset age is twenty years old. There have been instances juvenile bipolar too. Research is beginning to look at the effect of bipolar on children.
Bipolar is a disorder characterized by a manic and depressive state. Manic stage symptoms include higher self-esteem, little need for sleep, constant talking, racing thoughts, easily distracted, psychomotor agitation, and pursuit of pleasure with a high danger risk. Some of the depressive state symptoms are lack of interest, changes in appetite, changes in sleep habits, lack of energy, feelings of self-doubt, cognitive difficulties, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
It is a multifactorial disorder that includes inflammation, dopamine excitotoxicity, glutamate excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. When the brain becomes inflamed, a cytokine pathway is initiated. These cytokines activate certain receptors, which increase the number of reactive oxidative species (ROS). These ROS are toxic to the brain and can cause dysfunction. Glutamate excitotxoicty causes a similar problem that leads to ROS being released. An increase in dopamine causes the manic state. This also leads to oxidative stress from ROS. These are just a few of the possible routes that can cause bipolar.
The most popular drug to treat the symptoms of bipolar is lithium. It reduces the oxidative stress caused by the pathways discussed above. It is a favorite because it can treat the manic and depressive symptoms. Patients with bipolar can be given valproate too, which also reduces oxidative stress. Many scientists are researching the mechanism of the drugs, since we don’t know the exact cause of bipolar.
I have a personal connection to bipolar disorder. One of my relatives has it. She had to drop out of school because she couldn’t handle it on her own. I’ve witnessed both parts of her illness. During the manic stage, she becomes very active. She will deep clean her house or go on biking and hiking trips. The depressive state is the worst. She sleeps at weird hours of the day. She becomes very quiet and stays indoors all day. It’s like she loses hope. It’s very difficult to watch someone you love suffer. Mental illness research needs to continue and expand because it affects so many people.
Sources:
https://moodle.cord.edu/pluginfile.php/390935/mod_resource/content/2/bipolar.pdf
http://neurochemistry2014.pbworks.com/w/page/88342886/Pathways%20underlying%20neuroprogression%20in%20bipolar%20disorders%20and%20neurotrophic%20factors
http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/560302
A Look into Bipolar
