by Robert Cooper

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: September 28, 2010

Many people state that "Bipolar Disorder", formerly called "Manic Depression" isn't even a disease just because scientists don't know exactly what causes this disorder which is not only physical, but has certain mental aspects also. Similarly, scientists don't exactly know what causes "Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes" but they know it can be controlled with the proper medicine( chemical therapy ) and exercise ( physical therapy ). The fact is it's still a disease.

Although scientists are not absolute, they believe that "BD" is a result of changes to the brain caused by the chemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters called "dopamine" and"serotonin" are part of normal emotions in the brain. Some causes are thought to be hormonal imbalances which qualify as a chemical imbalance in their own right. Many times people with the same biological family genes have "BD". And last but not least, the environment, high stress, loss of loved one, etc. can trigger "BD" symptoms.

There are many variations of this disease but to describe some of the symptoms: episodes of mania which appears to others as the person is extremely energetic, can't be still, seems like they may have ingested some amphetamines(diet pills). Then that same person can become depressed and reclusive. With some the mania is more extreme and the depression is short lived, but with others the moods are opposite with the depression being dominant. More extreme even still is the bipolar disorder psychosis in which the person experiences hallucinations.

Most patients don't have to be hospitalized and can be treated as an outpatient. And their illness can be subdued with therapy and regular prescriptions, emphasis on the regular. To name a few types, anti-anxiety, sedatives, antidepressants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, and Lithium can all be used to help the patient with "Bipolar Disorder".

I am in my nineth year of recovery now, but when I first became sober I was experiencing Bipolar Tendencies due to the fact that I had been abusing whiskey and cocaine. The doctors said I was doing a good job of adjusting my body chemistry but I was doing it extremely to fast. Dangerously to say the least. Since my body was used to this abuse I was manic. If you stay manic for a while you're going to get lower because your body can't take it. They prescribed Lithium to slow me down and eventually with being sober and the peace of working the twelve steps of sobriety my brain regained some normality. Yes, "Bipolar Disorder" is a disease and by the way, so is "alcoholism".

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