Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder involves having mood swings and repeated depression episodes. This order has affected up to 4million people. People with bipolar disorder have been observed to have a decrease in their brain activity. They usually have maniac episodes.

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental illness that comprises of psychotic symptoms. This means the persons imagination can be out of this world.

People that have either illnesses are at a very high risk of committing suicide, over-using drugs and alcohol or other mental issues.

Causes of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Just like most mental disorders, neither schizophrenia nor bipolar is passed down genetically. They are usually caused by either environmental, genetic or psychological factors.

These illnesses share some risk genes but also have unique risk factors. Stress has been found to be one of the things that contributes to mental conditions.

Types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder has many types but the most common ones are bipolar I and II disorder. Depending on the type and duration of the illness, the patient may experience problems like studying well, functioning at work, or in communities? They may have psychotic symptoms like hallucinating and delusions – it may be so severe they would be hospitalized. Being diagnosed with bipolar I would be if the patient has suffered at least 1 maniac episode and doesn’t need to have a depression history.

Bipolar II is diagnosed when the person has had at least one major depression or hypomania episode.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

• Elevated or irritable mood.
• Racing thoughts.
• Pressured speech
• Decreased need for sleep.
• False beliefs of failures.
• Repeatedly changing topics that aren’t even related.
• Restlessness.
• Impulsivity/poor judgment

Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia

• Delusions
• Hallucinating
• Not talking much
• Catatonia
• Disorganized behaviour

Tests done to diagnose bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

There is no test yet to find out if a person has bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Doctors usually find this out by gathering information on family and mental health.

Treatments/medications for bipolar and schizophrenia

• Olanzapine
• Risperdal
• Seroquel
• Ziprasid
• Aripiprazole
• Paliperidone
• Asenapine
• Iloperidone

The medications below are more likely to cause muscular side effects.

• Haloperidol
• Chlorpromazine
• Thioridazine

Prognosis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

They tend to have mood swings 60% of the time but can get help through psychotherapy.