Bipolar disorder: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Although the word 'bipolar' is increasingly used in the media these days, and is sometimes misused, there is a serious and debilitating pathology behind this term, which affects almost 3% of the population.
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CAUSES AND MECHANISMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder is a multifactorial condition, with a genetic component. Many genes are associated with a very slight increase in the risk of developing the disorder.

 

SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

The symptoms of bipolar disorder alternate between depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic phases. There is not one bipolar disorder, but many. Rather, there is a spectrum of disorders, with symptoms varying in duration and intensity.

At present, bipolar disorder is diagnosed solely on the basis of clinical symptoms.

 

TREATMENTS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER

The cornerstone of treatment for bipolar disorder remains medication, but there are also non-medication solutions that can reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

 

Last updated May 2024.