"At times, being bipolar can be an all-consuming challenge, requiring a lot of stamina and even more courage, so if you're living with this illness and functioning at all, it's something to be proud of, not ashamed of," wrote Carrie Fisher in his book "Wishful Drinking."
One can imagine how difficult mental health could be with severe mood swings with highs and lows of emotions.This condition affects not only an individual's mood and energy levels but also competence and functionality. In this blog, let's understand what bipolar disorder is, its symptoms, its treatment, and what medications help control this condition.
In simple words, bipolar disorder can be described as a condition of severe mood swings. The highs of manic episodes and lows of depression indicate the types of bipolar disorder.Bipolar disorder in Hindi is called "DwidhruviVikaar."
According to the World Health Organization's survey in 2019, around 40 million people around the world suffer from bipolar disorder.
It is a chronic psychological issue that is graded under ICD-10 code F31 and contains several subtypes of the disorder depending on mood swing patterns and severity.The main three types of bipolar disorder are:
Bipolar 1 Disorder, in which the high of emotional episodes or manic periods stretches around 7 days and needs hospitalization.
Bipolar 2 Disorder, where the periods of mood swings are less than the previous state.
Cyclothymic Disorder involves periods of changing moods from hypomanic to mild depression.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder differ for each individual. The most common manic symptoms are:
The lows or depressive symptoms include:
In ayurveda, the symptoms of bipolar disorder resemble that of Unmada, which impairs Manas, Smriti, Shila, Samjnajnana, Bhakti, Cheshta, and Acara.
A person with bipolar goes through severe changes in mood and energy, whichdisturb his thoughts and behavior. During the highs of manic episodes, he may be ambitious, optimistic, and ready to take high risks. Whereas, in the low phase of the depressive state, he may feel worthless, sad, and hopeless. Studying these patterns and behaviorsis necessary for proper treatment and support.
Bipolar disorder treatment combines medication and psychotherapy.
The medications to treatbipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, antidepressants, and a combination of anti-psychotic and antidepressant medications. These medicines help control manic bouts and depressive spells. The medicines for bipolar mood disorder have to be combined in such a way that depressive episodes may not convert into manic periods.
Psychotherapy includes:
Ayurveda offers natural therapies and medications for the treatment of bipolar disorder. In ayurvedic medicines herbs play a crucial and effective part. A few of the herbs used in the treatment of bipolar disorder are:
Brahmi: The cognitive function-enhancing and calming properties of Brahmi make it an invaluable herb for several mental health issues medicines.
Ashwagandha: It has stress and anxiety-reducing qualities.
Jatamansi: This herb is known as a natural mood stabilizer against stress and anxiety.
Vacha: Like Brahmi, Vacha also has calming attributes and manages stress and irritation.
Shankhapushpi: This herb helps in boosting memory and has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Here, we recommend Ayurvedic Manas Raj Vati and Oil. It is a combination of Brahmi, Sarpagandha, Vacha, Arjun, and Jyotishmathi. Manas Raj vati helps with depression, irritability, hormonal imbalance, fear, stress, and sleep deprivation. It is an herbal medicine, has no side effects, and is suitable for all ages.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that can be managed with medications and therapies. Lifestyle changes certainly help. For proper management of any health condition, understanding and awareness are essential, and the same is true for bipolar disorder.
Awareness of this mental health condition, its symptoms, and timely treatment can help an individual lead his life normally without any complications and have the same opinion as that of Vincent Van Gogh, "Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony, and music in me."
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