Bipolar Disorder Introduction to Psychology November 29,2012

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity, and the ability to function on a daily basis. People in general have many different mood swings, but someone who has bipolar disorder has severe mood swings that may cause damage to personal relationships, job performance, and the ability to function in school. Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be difficult and is not easy to spot when it begins (nimh.com, 2009).
There are many different symptoms of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder experience “mood episodes”. There are two types of mood episodes. One type is a manic episode
A cure for bipolar disorder has not yet been found. If someone seeks proper medical attention, they may be able to live a fairly normal life. Medication and therapy can help a person gain control of their symptoms and mood swings. There are several types of medications available, and a person may need to try several before they find one that works for them. The medications available are mood stabilizing drugs that can help control mood swings and behaviors. A therapist may also have a person keep mood charts to document their daily symptoms. The chart would also include any type of life changing event that may show how a person reacts to stressful situations (webmd.com, 2012).
Each patient will react differently to the various treatments for the illness. If a person continues with their individualized treatment plan, the outcome will be more effective. The patient must take medication regularly and continue to see a therapist where they need to speak openly about any problems they may be having and if they have any concerns with their behavior.
Some people believe they can treat the illness with home remedies. Some options for treatment would be supplements, exercise, and diet. There are dietary supplements available that can be taken in place of prescription medication, but may have serious side effects if a person does not consult a doctor before taking them. Some people believe that changing diet habits can also reduce the symptoms of the