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What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by extreme shifts in mood. Symptoms can include an extremely elevated mood called mania. They can also include episodes of depression. Bipolar disorder is also known as bipolar disease or manic depression. People with bipolar disorder may have trouble managing everyday life tasks at school or work, or maintaining relationships. There’s no cure, but there are many treatment options available that can help to manage the symptoms. Bipolar disorder isn’t a rare brain disorder. In fact, 2.8 percent of U.S. adults — or about 5 million people — have been diagnosed with it. The average age when people with bipolar disorder begin to show symptoms is 25 years old. Depression caused by bipolar disorder lasts at least two weeks. A high (manic) episode can last for several days or weeks. Some people will experience episodes of changes in mood several times a year, while others may experience them only rarely. Here’s what having bipolar disorder feels like for some people. Bipolar disorder symptoms There are three main symptoms that can occur with bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, and depression. While experiencing mania, a person with bipolar disorder may feel an emotional high. They can feel excited, impulsive, euphoric, and full of energy. During manic episodes, they may also engage in behavior such as:


Hypomania is generally associated with bipolar II disorder. It’s similar to mania, but it’s not as severe. Unlike mania, hypomania may not result in any trouble at work, school, or in social relationships. However, people with hypomania still notice changes in their moods. During an episode of depression you may experience:

Although it’s not a rare condition, bipolar disorder can be hard to diagnose because of its varied symptoms. Bipolar disorder symptoms in women Men and women are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in equal numbers. However, the main symptoms of the disorder may be different between the two genders. In many cases, a woman with bipolar disorder may:

  • be diagnosed later in life, in her 20s or 30s

  • have milder episodes of mania

  • experience more depressive episodes than manic episodes

  • have four or more episodes of mania and depression in a year, which is called rapid cycling

  • experience other conditions at the same time, including thyroid disease, obesity, anxiety disorders, and migraines

  • have a higher lifetime risk of

  • alcohol use disorder

Women with bipolar disorder may also relapse more often. This is believed to be caused by hormonal changes related to menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. If you’re a woman and think you may have bipolar disorder, it’s important for you to get the facts. Here’s what you need to know about bipolar disorder in men. Bipolar disorder symptoms in men and women both experience common symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, men may experience symptoms differently than women. Men with bipolar disorder may:

  • be diagnosed earlier in life

  • experience more severe episodes, especially manic episodes

  • have substance abuse issues

  • act out during manic episodes

Men with bipolar disorder are less likely than women to seek medical care on their own. They’re also more likely to die by suicide. Types of bipolar disorder There are three main types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia. Bipolar I Bipolar I is defined by the appearance of at least one manic episode. You may experience hypomanic or major depressive episodes before and after the manic episode. This type of bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. Bipolar II People with this type of bipolar disorder experience one major depressive episode that lasts at least two weeks. They also have at least one hypomanic episode that lasts about four days. This type of bipolar disorder is thought to be more common in women. Cyclothymia People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania and depression. These symptoms are shorter and less severe than the mania and depression caused by bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. Most people with this condition only experience a month or two at a time where their moods are stable. When discussing your diagnosis, your doctor will be able to tell you what kind of bipolar disorder you have. Bipolar disorder in children Diagnosing bipolar disorder in children is controversial. This is large because children don’t always display the same bipolar disorder symptoms as adults. Their moods and behaviors may also not follow the standards doctors use to diagnose the disorder in adults. Many bipolar disorder symptoms that occur in children also overlap with symptoms from a range of other disorders that can occur in children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, in the last few decades, doctors and mental health professionals have come to recognize the condition in children. A diagnosis can help children get treatment, but reaching a diagnosis may take many weeks or months. Your child may need to seek special care from a professional trained to treat children with mental health issues. Like adults, children with bipolar disorder experience episodes of elevated mood. They can appear very happy and show signs of excitable behavior. These periods are then followed by depression. While all children experience mood changes, changes caused by bipolar disorder are very pronounced. They’re also usually more extreme than a child’s typical change in mood. Manic symptoms in children Symptoms of a child’s manic episode caused by bipolar disorder can include:

  • acting very silly and feeling overly happy

  • talking fast and rapidly changing subjects

  • having trouble focusing or concentrating

  • doing risky things or experimenting with risky behaviors

  • having a very short temper that leads quickly to outbursts of anger

  • having trouble sleeping and not feeling tired after sleep loss

Depressive symptoms in children Symptoms of a child’s depressive episode caused by bipolar disorder can include:

  • moping around or acting very sad

  • sleeping too much or too little

  • having little energy for normal activities or showing no signs of interest in anything

  • complaining about not feeling well, including having frequent headaches or stomachaches

  • experiencing feelings of worthlessness or guilt

  • eating too little or too much

  • thinking about death and possibly suicide

Other possible diagnoses Some of the behavior issues you may witness in your child could be the result of another condition. ADHD and other behavior disorders can occur in children with bipolar disorder. Work with your child’s doctor to document your child’s unusual behaviors, which will help lead to a diagnosis. Finding the correct diagnosis can help your child’s doctor determine treatments that can help your child live a healthy life. Bipolar disorder in teens Angst-filled behavior is nothing new to the average parent of a teenager. The shifts in hormones, plus the life changes that come with puberty, can make even the most well-behaved teen seem a little upset or overly emotional from time to time. However, some teenage changes in mood may be the result of a more serious condition, such as bipolar disorder. A bipolar disorder diagnosis is most common during the late teens and early adult years. For teenagers, the more common symptoms of a manic episode include:

  • being very happy

  • “acting out” or misbehaving

  • taking part in risky behaviors

  • abusing substances

  • thinking about sex more than usual

  • becoming overly sexual or sexually active

  • having trouble sleeping but not showing signs of fatigue or being tired

  • having a very short temper

  • having trouble staying focused, or being easily distracted

For teenagers, the more common symptoms of a depressive episode include:

  • sleeping a lot or too little

  • eating too much or too little

  • feeling very sad and showing little excitability

  • withdrawing from activities and friends

  • thinking about death and suicide

Diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder can help teens live healthy life. Learn more @ www.healthline.com




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The Netflix docuseries (Un)Well explores the growth and increasing mainstream appeal of the multi-trillion dollar wellness industry and investigates some of the increasingly popular products and practices being adopted by people looking to live happier, healthier lives.

Among the facets of wellness being put under the microscope in the series is aromatherapy.

While once considered the purview of hippies, or simply a decor item for your bathroom, essential oils actually represent a business valued at more than $17 million.

Aromatherapy uses oils from plants, usually through massage or inhaling, to promote relaxation or treat illnesses: but do the claims that aromatherapy can help to ease your anxiety have any scientific basis?

As psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks explains in the video below, essential oils contain volatile organic compounds (simply meaning they can vaporize and become a gas) that exert a pharmacological effect when they penetrate the body, either through the skin or your olfactory nerve.

Inhaling essential oils do cause a reaction in the brain, and there is evidence to back up the assertion that certain oils can have a calming effect; Marks cites a 2005 study that found that test subjects who were exposed to lavender oil experienced an increase in deep, slow-wave sleep.

This is because our sense of smell is controlled by the olfactory nerve, which connects to the temporal lobe in the brain. The temporal lobe contains the hippocampus and the amygdala. The hippocampus plays a role in the memory of past experiences, and the amygdala is the emotional center of the brain.

"By inhaling these molecules, you send them directly to the emotional part of the brain," says Marks. "This is why inhaling gases and fumes is a big deal; there's a direct pathway from your nose to your brain. Inhaling things is a faster route to affecting your brain than eating something because when you eat it it has to be digested before it enters your bloodstream."

Popular methods of inhaling essential oils to help get a good night's sleep include putting a few drops on a cotton ball, or under a pillow. Marks advises against putting undiluted oils directly on the skin, as some people might have an adverse reaction. When massaging the oil into the skin, she recommends mixing a few drops of the essential oil into a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil, or alternatively, mixing a few drops into bathwater.


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Writer's pictureLeafMade Co.

Lemons contain a large amount of vitamin C, the amazing bitter yet sweet taste gives your body the nutrients it needs. Lemon water is a great way to start your morning diet and give the body the hydration it needs. Add some lemon slices to your water and drink while on the go! Lemons have been proven to support your heart, prevent kidney stones, protect your body against anemia and reduce the risk of cancer It Can Improve Digestive Health Being properly hydrated is essential for keeping your digestive system healthy. Dehydration can cause constipation, a common problem in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Adequate fluid intake is essential for keeping stools soft and preventing constipation. Drinking honey lemon water may help ease constipation by hydrating your body. Flavored beverages like honey lemon water can be especially helpful for hydrating children who do not like to drink plain water. Some research suggests that raw honey may have a beneficial effect on the friendly gut bacteria that help keep your digestive system healthy and in balance. For example, one study found that mice who were supplemented with raw honey had increased amounts of the beneficial bacteria Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, Popular Health Claims That Are Not Backed by Science While drinking honey lemon water may provide a few benefits, many claims about this drink have no scientific evidence to back them. Flushes out toxins: No scientific evidence supports using honey lemon water to rid the body of toxins. Your body effectively detoxifies itself using the skin, intestines, kidneys, liver, and respiratory and immune systems. Improves acne: Honey is beneficial when applied directly to the skin, but there is no evidence that drinking honey lemon water can help prevent or treat acne. In fact, added sugar intake from honey can make acne worse. Melts fat: The popular claim that honey lemon water “melts fat” is false. The best way to lose excess body fat is by eating a healthy, well-rounded diet and increasing the number of calories that you burn. Boosts cognitive performance: Some people claim that drinking honey lemon water can improve memory or boost brain function. However, there is no scientific evidence to back such claims. -Healthline



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