Have you ever encountered someone who has mood swings, their emotions going up and down, sometimes good, sometimes bad… Don’t think this is normal. And if that person… is someone close or an acquaintance, you should suggest or find a way for them to see a doctor because their symptoms may indicate a condition called “Bipolar Disorder”, also well known as “Bipolar Disease”.

“Bipolar”… this familiar disease

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by extreme mood changes alternating between periods of abnormally elevated or irritable mood (Mania) and periods of abnormally depressed mood (Depression). Each mood phase can last for weeks or months, with possible normal mood periods in between.

Is this what is called “Bipolar”?

Bipolar patients experience mood swings that alternate regardless of any situation as follows:

Periods of abnormally elevated or irritable mood

Often think they are important and have increased self-confidence
Sleep much less than usual without feeling tired or needing more sleep
Think quickly, talk fast, and talk more than usual
Engage in many activities during that time
Poor judgment and high risk of mistakes, such as overspending or lack of sexual restraint
Respond quickly and intensely to stimuli, easily irritated, easily angered without reason

Periods of abnormally depressed mood

Feel depressed, withdrawn, easily saddened, and cry easily
Have sleep problems, insomnia, or oversleeping
Have eating problems, eating too much or too little
Decreased concentration and inability to remember things
Worry about surroundings and have a pessimistic outlook
Feel bored, discouraged, hopeless, and lose interest in activities
Feel disappointed, unhappy, and have recurring thoughts of death

What causes “Bipolar”?

There are several factors that contribute to “Bipolar Disorder”

Neurotransmitter abnormalities in the brain
Including adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine, which cause dysfunction in brain areas related to mood regulation
Genetics
People with family members who have this disorder or other mood disorders have a higher chance of developing bipolar disorder than the general population
Environment
Childhood upbringing or life crises faced by the patient, such as disappointment, grief, illness, or accumulated stress, all affect mental health

How is “Bipolar” treated?

Although “Bipolar Disorder” cannot be completely cured, it can be treated symptomatically and controlled to minimize its impact on the patient.

Medication
Medications are used to adjust neurotransmitters in the brain back to normal, stabilizing mood and improving daily functioning. Even if symptoms improve, patients must not stop medication on their own and must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and attend regular follow-ups. If patients are concerned about side effects, they can consult their doctor for personalized medication adjustments.
Psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) uses electrical currents to stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain to function normally. It is suitable for patients with severe symptoms who need urgent treatment to calm their condition.

We can never know who among the people passing by is currently ill… It is clear that besides abnormal brain chemicals being a major cause of the disorder, close people and acquaintances also play a role in improving or worsening their mental state.

Choose your words carefully, be kind, and protect each other’s feelings… so that no “one” has to suffer from “Bipolar”