Mental diseases. Bipolar affective disorder

Under affective disorders ( mood disorders ) is commonly understood as a general group of mental disorders, which are characterized by emotional disorders. According to DSM classification, several diagnoses fall under this condition. The main external manifestations are violations of the emotional state.

The most common disorders that are fixed in this condition are two types of disorders, differing in whether a person has a hypomanic or manic episode. So, depressive disorders are most often associated with a major depressive disorder. It also has the names "clinical depression", as well as "bipolar affective disorder." He was previously called manic-depressive psychosis. It is accompanied by hypomaniacal and manic intermittent periods, which last from two weeks to four or five months, and depressive episodes (their duration reaches six months).

There are cases of intense manifestations of affective disorders in the form of inappropriate emotions. Such occur in the framework of delusional disorder. An example may be fear, anxiety, anger, rage, rapture or even ecstasy. There may be nonsense or catatonic disorders.

Considering the bipolar affective disorder closer, it can be noted that this condition is characterized by repeated (at least two) episodes. They are characterized by mood disorders and activity levels. Some cases are accompanied by a rise in mood, increased mental and physical activity, in others there is a decrease in mood, there is reduced energy and activity right up to depression. Mixed states are not excluded when symptoms of depression are observed simultaneously with mania. For example, the manifestation of anguish with an excitement or anxiety, euphoria amid a retardation, rapid changes in symptoms are possible.

Due to the fact that bipolar affective disorder has a different understanding of boundaries, it is difficult to name the exact number of the spread of this disorder. Statistics vary in the region of one percent.

The causes that cause bipolar affective disorder are not fully determined to the present day. A high proportion of the risk of its occurrence is allocated to heredity. The connection of the disease with several genes (their alleged placement in 4 and 18 chromosomes) is proved. In addition, this mental disorder can be caused by autointoxication (a violation of the endocrine balance, a violation of water-electrolyte metabolism). Stressful situations are assigned a provocative role, triggering an episode of depression or mania. But in itself stress is not the cause of the disease.

Bipolar depression manifests itself in the presence of several bright signs:

- mood is reduced or depressed;

- there is no interest in what previously caused a surge of positive emotions;

- a sharp decline in performance, which is accompanied by increased fatigue;

- there are problems with the ability to focus, attention blurred;

- self-esteem decreases;

- an unreasonable sense of guilt is manifested;

- an influx of pessimistic thoughts and moods;

- there are thoughts of death and suicidal tendencies;

- Sleep disturbances are frequent, appetite is reduced.

There are also a number of other symptoms of the depressive state. More precisely, bipolar affective disorder can be determined by a physician. There are a number of additional ways to help determine the condition of the patient. So, for example, it is considered one of the most well-known and most common ways to detect bipolar disorder, a self-assessment test.

But even with similar signs, it should be understood that depression and bipolar affective disorder are different diseases, and they are treated differently. Self-medication in each case is excluded, mandatory consultation with a doctor is necessary.