Bipolar Syndrome Treatment Guide

Bipolar Disorder Genetic?

Stefanie Madyco — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:12:42 +0000

If you have a history of bipolar syndrome in your family, you are probably curious to know if the bipolar disorder genetics will be relayed to you or your child. Or perhaps you have a parent who has this, and you have yet to show symptoms, and wonder what your chances are of obtaining the genetics of bipolar disorder from your parent. The facts about bipolar disorder and genetics are that it is true that it is carried in the genes. While the exact bipolar disorder genetic cause still remains unknown, what is known is that persons with family history have a much more likely chance of inheriting the disorder.
The amount of members in your family that have the disorder normally determine the chances you will have of inheriting bipolar disorder. Having one parent that is diagnosed puts your risks of inheritance at about 5-15 percent. You can also look at it as a 85-95 percent chance that you will not inherit bipolar syndrome. In some few cases where both parents have the illness, it raises the risks to about almost 4 times. If you are not sure of your parents medical history, but you have a brother or sister that has been diagnosed, your risks are about 20 percent. The general population that have no report of bipolar in their families genetic history are reported to only have about a 1 percent risk. This illness does not affect men or women either more greatly, as it affects them equally. Most all the sufferers report that they also have at least one member in the family who also has these bipolar symptoms.

Knowing all this information does not necessarily mean you are predisposed and definitely going to carry bipolar genetic disorder. For the illness to progress, it generally needs to agitated by some known contributors, which include the environmental effects of stress, exposure or addiction to drugs, alchol addiction, exposure to infections, and over stimulation. Basically saying that bipolar is usually triggered by these effects, and can be taken control of by not being subject to these kinds of environments. There is also genetic testing for bipolar disorder being done on this subject, and some institutions are reporting that they will soon be able to do a screening to determine if you do in fact carry the gene.

This illness usually appears during the teenage years, but has also been know not to appear until some are in their twenties. It has been know for symptoms to appear as young as five years old. After being diagnosed, it will be life-long battle because bipolar has no cure. While there is no precise distinguishing factor that will determine the genetic causes of bipolar disorder, studies have shown that it is most relative to persons who carry the gene in their family.

Symptoms Of Being Bipolar

Stefanie Madyco — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:10:13 +0000

The symptoms of being bipolar range widely, but there are common things to look for when looking to be diagnosed. There are two basic parts to being bipolar, one being the manic phase, and one being the depressed phase. In patients, they will experience ’bouts’ of these episodes. The episodes will vary in length, but each can be expected to last weeks and sometimes months. It is important to seek the proper treatment even if one is feeling ‘normal’. Bipolar episodes can come on abruptly or can start coming on with ease. Keeping on your prescribed medication can transition these better and sometimes even halt them from happening. It is important to know that bipolar is a two part disorder, and the sufferer will have either the symptoms of mania or depressive, usually only one at a time. Symptoms of being bipolar should be looked at as a two part list, to determine which phase the sufferer is in.

Some Symptoms of Bipolar Mania:

Constant Irritability
Racing Talking / Jabbering
Believes They Can Do Anything/ High Self Esteem
High Energy on Little Sleep
Having Impulsive Behavior
Not Thinking Through Decisions Rationally

Symptoms of Manic Depressive:

Inability To Concentrate
Depressed Behavior
Lack Of Energy
Fatigue / Constantly Sleeping
Low Self Confidence
Not interested in their normal activities
Seem Distant From Everyone
Suicidal Feelings

Common Bipolar Mood Stabilizers

Stefanie Madyco — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:53:42 +0000

When looking into bipolar treatment, more than likely you will be introduced to an array of bipolar drug combinations. Bipolar mood stabilizers are used to lessen the effects of the two basic parts of bipolar syndrome- The mania and the depression. These can help a person to feel more balanced since this disorder causes such extreme mood swings. Mood stabilizers are not perfect, and generally help the mania more than the depression. They are beneficial to lessen the frequency that one may have episodes. Anticonvulsants or Antipsychotics may also be introduced as they have shown their ability to stabilize moods. These types of bipolar medication are being used more frequently now than in prior years. Taking these medications require continuous supervision from a physician; as they often can have several side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, weight gain, fainting and seizures, among others. These may also not be safe during pregnancy, as birth defects have been reported. You doctor can make the best determination for you.

List of mood stabilizers:

Most commonly used bipolar mood stabilizers:

Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
Tegretol (Carbamazepine)
Topamax (Topiramate)
Neurontin (Gabapentin)
Depakote (Divalproex)
Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
Seroquel (Quetiapine)
Zyprexa (Olanzapine)
Symbyax (Olanzapine/fluoxetine combination)
Risperdal (Risperidone)
Clozari (Clozapine)
Abilify (Aripiprazole)