Bipolar I is a psychological condition that used to be called manic depression. Bipolar I is a type of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by an abnormal presence of euphoria and episodes of depression.
The main symptom of Bipolar I is that the person has experienced a manic or mixed episode. An episode of mania causes irritability or euphoria, poor judgment, difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, hyper-sexuality, impulsivity, an inflated self-esteem, and insomnia. Mania can cause the person to talk or move excessively.
Episodes of mania can cause hallucinations and delusions. Unlike the seemingly random hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions from mania are related to the inflated self-esteem and grandiosity that mania causes. The person may have a delusional belief that they are invincible or have superpowers.
A mixed episode is considered a combination of symptoms of mania as well as symptoms of depression. The person having a mixed episode may fluctuate from feeling hopeless and depressed to feelings of self-importance and euphoria. The switching between the two can be very frustrating for the individual.
Bipolar I disorder differs from the other mood disorders by the presence of a manic or mixed episode. If a person who has clinical depression or Bipolar II disorder has a manic or mixed episode, the diagnosis should be changed to Bipolar I.
Mood stabilizers are a type of medication that is often used to treat bipolar disorder. Cognitive therapy is often an important component in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The symptoms can cause problems in the persons relationships, therefore, family therapy is often included in the treatment for bipolar disorder.
Sometimes, people close to those with bipolar disorder become frustrated with the symptoms and expect the person with bipolar disorder to stop the symptoms. The individual with bipolar disorder cannot will the symptoms away just like someone with heart disease cannot make the condition go away.
For some people, the Bipolar I disorder causes very few problems while for others it may cause a daily struggle. A person with Bipolar I disorder may have different levels of severity in their lifetime. One episode may be severe while a previous one may have been mild.
Even if the person is taking their medication and actively participating in therapy, there may be a relapse of symptoms. If the symptoms return or worsen, the person should notify their mental health professionals.