This information is not intended to diagnose or treat bipolar disorders, but to provide a better understanding of this condition as well as information on new effective treatments. However, if you recognize any of these symptoms, you should consult with your physician when considering treatment.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because of extreme swings in mood, thought and behavior. Bipolar is different than major depression in that it is marked by episodes of euphoria or mania. These episodes commonly last from hours to days, but can also last for months.

Bipolar Disorder afflicts 2 million adults, and possibly another 1 million plus children. It usually starts in adolescence, with males first experiencing a manic episode and females experiencing a depressive one.

There are two types of bipolar illnesses, bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 is more severe than bipolar 2, and is marked by one or more manic swings followed by one or more major depressive episodes. Bipolar 2 generally starts with one or more depressive episodes, followed by a milder (hypomanic) episode.

Bipolar Symptoms

The depressive symptoms are similar to major depression. Mania symptoms may include some of the following:

Heightened mood
Excited behavior, increased energy or activity
Aggressive behavior and/or irritability
Lack of desire for sleep
Impulsiveness or poor judgment, reckless behavior
Racing speech, thoughts, etc.
Overly optimistic, egoistic, delusions of grandeur
Hallucinations (extreme mania)

Bipolar Disease
“I have been diagnosed recently with manic depression (bipolar disorder), but I really think it should be called ‘Bipolar Disease,’ because it’s something I’ll struggle with my whole life. I think I was a bipolar child too, because I would go off in uncontrollable fits & cause a lot of damage. Afterwards, I would feel terrible guilt for what ‘happened,’ but I would still think, ‘That’s not me.’
I started losing friends and then I didn’t get new ones because I knew they would leave… It has affected my schooling and career choices… Now I think my bipolar disease is under control, and for the first time, I don’t feel ‘drugged up’ with medications anymore. I’m still on some [medications] and light therapy has helped a great deal to keep me out of my depression swings.”

Bipolar Disorders in Children

Bipolar disorders generally develop during adolescence, although symptoms can appear earlier. Symptoms may be different in children than in adults. When manic, children tend to become aggressive, irritable or prone to destructive outbursts. In a depressive episode, they may also complain of tiredness, headaches, stomachaches, become emotional and may feel persecuted, rejected or a failure.

Bipolar Treatment
Bipolar Medicines
Bipolar medications are generally divided into two categories: Mood stabilizers and anti depressants. The following bipolar medicines are described as well as other effective supplemental therapies.

Mood Stabilizers

Researchers have noticed the similarity between people who suffer from temporal lobe seizures and bipolar I. During a seizure, the temporal lobe’s neurons fire wildly, causing many similar reactions that bipolar I patients experience during manic episodes. These anti-seizure medications (Lithium, Tegretol, Depakote, etc.) work effectively as mood stabilizers.

SSRI’s

Most anti-depressants are categorized as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors because they act to keep serotonin in the synaptic system longer, thus helping the brain to function properly. SSRI’s are used to combat the depressive cycles in bipolar depression. Depression sufferers are believed to have low levels of serotonin.

Light Therapy

The medical journal The Lancet reports that the lack of bright light like sunlight may be a cause of depression. Bright light produces serotonin in our brains, and scientists believe that low levels of serotonin contribute to depression. As light produces serotonin, our natural balance returns, and we’re productive again. Clinical studies at Yale, UCSD and others, have shown dramatic results using bright environmental light (10,000 lux intensity).

Light does what anti-depressants can’t

The discovery that light produces serotonin is significant, because it may be the only way to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Pharmaceutical companies have never been able to replicate this process. Anti-depressant medications are designed to keep serotonin in the system, but they cannot produce it. For those who already have low levels of serotonin, SSRI’s are not as effective as they otherwise might be. This is why light may be a beneficial supplement. Recent studies suggest depression may be more effectively treated with light and medication rather than medication alone.

Light Therapy Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
Specialized bright light is known as an effective antidepressant. Because most bipolar patients suffer from depressive episodes during the winter and in overcast conditions, researchers feel that light therapy should be an obvious choice for manic depression. Several studies have demonstrated the success of light therapy in averting depressive episodes in manic depression. In January 2004, the Cochrane Medical Review recommended light therapy for treating Bipolar Disorders.

Light appears to be successful for two reasons: First, bipolar patients suffer from low serotonin levels during depressive lows, and second, they are also supersensitive to melatonin fluctuations. Since light effectively regulates melatonin and serotonin, bipolar patients respond almost immediately.

Light Therapy & Bipolar Children
Because light therapy poses no long-term negative side effects, it is also recommended for children. One of the more accurate works on childhood bipolar disorder, The Bipolar Child, recommends light therapy as a first line treatment.

Cautions With Light Therapy and Bipolar Disorder
Researchers have noted that manic depression sufferers (bipolar 1) should be on an effective mood stabilizer before using light therapy. Because light produces serotonin, it may precipitate a manic reaction. Light has been found to be safe when used for less than an hour at a time, but physician supervision is always recommended.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids (DHA and EPA) are fish oil compounds. Researchers discovered the anti-depressant effect of fish oil by studying the low depression rates of populations that consumed large amounts of fish. One Harvard study demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids were helpful in stabilizing bipolar depression.

How it works

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to work by nourishing the brain’s nerve cell membranes, which are made up mostly of DHE fatty acids. Depressed people have low DHE levels. Fish oil also lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and aids in building dense bones.

Caution: Higher levels of these oils may also produce free radicals. One should consider taking vitamins C and E as natural anti oxidants. Fish oil may also interfere with anti-clotting medications, so consult your doctor.

Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Bipolar/ Seasonal Affective Disorder
Excerpts Regarding Bipolar Disorders
Diagnosis and Epidemiology.