{"id":1898,"date":"2020-03-30T19:02:47","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T19:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nolfinal.wpengine.com\/?page_id=1898"},"modified":"2024-02-02T15:09:28","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T20:09:28","slug":"bipolar-disorder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nickortizlaw.com\/practice-areas\/long-term-disability-insurance-erisa-lawyer\/medical-conditions\/bipolar-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipolar Disorder and Long Term Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bipolar disorder, as the name of the condition suggests, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. An individual with bipolar disorder experiences cyclical periods of extreme euphoria and activity (mania), which are then typically followed by periods of extreme depression. It is sometimes called manic-depressive syndrome or manic depression because of the mood changes alternating between depressive and manic periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are different from the normal ups and downs we all experience. Bipolar swings are much more severe ups and downs. Bipolar disorder often results in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and may even result in suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bipolar disorder typically develops in an individual\u2019s late teens or early adult years. Approximately half of all cases start before age 25. Bipolar disorder is not easy to identify when symptoms begin. In fact, the symptoms may seem like separate issues that are not recognized as pieces of a larger problem. Some individuals suffer for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated. Bipolar disorder is not a short-term illness. It must often be carefully managed throughout a patient\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diagnosis and Classifications of Bipolar Disorder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other doctors diagnose bipolar disorder using guidelines from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the patient\u2019s symptoms must be a major change from his or her normal mood or behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Bipolar I Disorder\u00a0<\/strong>is defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person requires immediate hospital care. Depressive episodes usually occur as well, typically lasting at least two (2) weeks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Bipolar II Disorder\u00a0<\/strong>is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)<\/strong> is diagnosed when symptoms of the illness exist but do not meet the diagnostic criteria for either Bipolar I or Bipolar II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person\u2019s normal range of behavior.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia\u00a0<\/strong>is a mild form of bipolar disorder. People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania as well as mild depression for at least two years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A severe form of the disorder is called\u00a0Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder<\/strong>. Rapid cycling occurs when the patient has four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed states, all within one year. Rapid cycling appears to be more common in those who have their first bipolar episode at a younger age. One study found that people with rapid cycling had their first bipolar episode about four years earlier, typically during the mid-to late-teen years, than those without rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling affects women more than men. Rapid cycling can come and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When establishing a diagnosis, a doctor or other health care provider should conduct an interview, a physical examination, and lab tests. Although bipolar disorder cannot currently be identified through a blood test or a brain scan, these tests can help rule out other factors that may contribute to mood problems, such as a thyroid condition, stroke<\/a>, or brain tumor. If other conditions or illnesses do not cause the mood problems, your health care provider may conduct a mental health evaluation or refer you to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The doctor or mental health professional should obtain information from you regarding any family history of bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses and get a complete history of symptoms. The doctor or mental health professional should also talk to your spouse or other close relatives about your symptoms and family medical history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Patients with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek medical assistance when they are depressed than when they are in a mania or hypomania state. For this reason, a careful medical history is required to be sure that bipolar disorder is not mistakenly diagnosed as major depression. Unlike those with bipolar disorder, people who have depression only (also called unipolar depression) do not experience mania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bipolar disorder can worsen over time if left undiagnosed and\/or untreated. Episodes may become more severe or more frequent over time without proper treatment. Also, delays in obtaining the correct diagnosis and treatment can cause personal, social, and work-related problems. Proper diagnosis and treatment help those with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. In most cases, medical treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of bipolar episodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unfortunately, substance abuse is very common among those with bipolar disorder. The reason for this link is unclear. It appears that some people with bipolar disorder may try to \u201cself-medicate\u201d and treat their symptoms with drugs or alcohol. However, such substance abuse may only trigger or prolong bipolar symptoms, and behavioral control problems during a manic phase can result in a person drinking too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those subject to bipolar disorder may suffer other mental conditions as well.\u00a0 Anxiety disorders<\/a>, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)<\/a> and social phobia, are sometimes diagnosed at the same time as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is also co-diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has some symptoms that are the same as bipolar disorder, such as restlessness and being easily distracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Those with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for obesity<\/a>, heart disease<\/a>, migraine headaches<\/a>, diabetes<\/a>, thyroid disease, and other physical illnesses. These illnesses may cause or exacerbate the symptoms of mania or depression. They may also be the result of treatment for bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Individuals with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called \u201cmood episodes.\u201d One state of mind is called a manic episode and usually involves being overly joyful or overexcited. The other state of mind is a depressive episode, which makes the individual extremely sad or hopeless. Sometimes, a mood episode called \u201cmixed state\u201d may involve symptoms of both mania and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some individuals with bipolar disorder may also be explosive and irritable during a mood episode. Extreme energy, activity, sleep, and behavior changes often accompany these mood changes. Someone with bipolar disorder can experience long-lasting periods of unstable moods rather than shorter episodes of depression or mania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It would not be unusual for an individual experiencing an episode of bipolar disorder to experience several manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for a week or longer. Sometimes, symptoms are so severe that the individual cannot function normally at work, school, or home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Specific symptoms of mania may include:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n