Bipolar Disorder, which in the past was called Manic Depressive Disorder, is a mood disorder in which the sufferer can have a variety of symptoms that can be brief or go on for weeks or longer. These can be characterized by moods of elation and/or moods of depression as well.
Elated moods present symptoms in which the person experiences a great deal of energy more than the ordinary increase that we can all experience in times of excitement or physical activity. There sense of self-worth can be excessive and the mood euphoric and this can lead to a person doing things that are risky or even dangerous such as gambling with money that the family cannot afford to lose, excessive spending sprees and foolish business investments or getting involved in high risk behaviors such as having excessive sexual escapades.
Depressed moods can go on for just a short amount of time, last weeks or longer. They can be mild depressions or quite intense and even debilitating causing lethargy, lack of zest in life, hopeless feelings and even wishes to die.
There can also be a mix of these two moods in which there is an alternating between elation and depression. This is called mood lability.
As these types of symptoms can result in serious consequences, it is important for the affected person or family to seek help. weekly Psychotherapy in combination with medications have shown good results.
If you are interested to know more about this disorder or would like to seek treatment, please contact Mr. Abbott. He would be happy to discuss the problem with you.
