What are the signs and symptoms of depressive bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These mood swings include:

1. Manic Episodes:

• Extreme happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
• Irritability, anger, fits of rage, and hostile behavior
• Restlessness and agitation
• Rapid speech
• Poor concentration and judgment
• Increased energy
• Less need for sleep
• Unusually high sex drive
• Setting unrealistic goals
• Paranoia

2. Depressive Episodes:

• Sadness and crying
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt
• Loss of energy

Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities

• Trouble concentrating and making decisions
• Irritability
• Change in appetite
• Weight loss/gain
• Suicidal thoughts and attempts

These above-mentioned extreme mood swings episodes are also called symptoms of bipolar disorder, there are also causes of bipolar disorder, these include:

Causes of Bipolar Disorder: 

• Genetics: Often reported in families of affected individuals.
• Brain structure: Abnormal brain structure and function.
• Seasonal depression and certain other mental illnesses such as anxiety disorder.
• Risk factors: Family history, stress, drug or alcohol abuse, or certain other abuse addictions.

Complications: Untreated bipolar disorder can lead to:

• Damaged and strained relationships
• Poor performance at school or work
• Addictive habits
• Financial difficulties
• Suicidal thoughts and attempts, in some cases criminal attempts

Treatment: Remember that timely treatment is essential, and following a prescribed treatment plan can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you are someone you know is experiencing symptoms, seek professional help.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder: Here are some steps taken for diagnosing bipolar disorder:

1. Physical exam: A doctor performs a physical and may order lab tests to rule out other medical conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

2. Psychological Evaluation: This includes; assessment of symptoms, where the doctor asks about your symptoms, mood changes, and behavior. and also compare it with DSM-5 criteria.

3. Medical History: The doctor reviews your medical history, including any family history of bipolar disorder.

4. Duration and Severity: Diagnosis considers the severity, length, and frequency of your symptoms throughout your life.

Bipolar disorder can be managed through a combination of medications and psychotherapy

Here are the primary treatment options:

1. Medications:

   Mood stabilizers, examples include lithium, valproic acid, and carbamazepine.

Antipsychotics are used to control manic symptoms. Aripiprazole, olanzapine, and quetiapine are common choices in this case.

Antidepressants: controversial but sometimes used in combination with mood stabilizers.

2. Psychotherapy: These include;

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps manage symptoms and improve coping strategies.
• International and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT): Focuses on maintaining daily routines and sleep patterns.
• Family-Focused Therapy: Involves family members to improve communication and support.

3. Education and Support Groups: Learning about bipolar disorder and connecting with others who share similar experiences can be beneficial.

Remember, early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial for managing bipolar disorder effectively.

What is Hormonal Function:

A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

• a synthetic substance with an effect similar to an animal or plant hormone.
• a person’s sex hormones are held to influence behavior or mood.

There are 50 different types of hormones affecting your body’s systems. Endocrinologist Divya Yogi-Morren, MD, discusses the seven hormones you should know about, how to tell if you have a hormonal imbalance, and what to do about it. These types of hormones play a very important role in the proper functioning of the body.

Hormones are chemical substances that your body makes in organs called glands. While there are glands throughout your body, the pituitary gland at the base of your brain is the master gland. It’s responsible for making hormones that tell the other glands what hormones they should make, explains Dr. Yogi-Morren. For example, your pituitary gland makes:

• Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), stimulates your adrenal gland to produce the hormone cortisol.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulate your gonads (ovaries and testes) to make the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone.
• Growth hormone stimulates your liver to make the hormone insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), stimulates your thyroid to make the thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.

Seven types of hormones, what they do- and what you do if you have a hormonal imbalance:

When you have a hormonal imbalance, the gland makes your hormones produce too much or not enough of that specific hormone. Dr. Yogi-Morren lists seven hormones that have VIP status in our bodies, what these hormones do, and signs your body isn’t making the right amount. These are as,

1. Cortisol: Cortisol is a stress hormone. Cortisol levels increase in response to stress, and it’s not just medical but also psychological stress. Psychological stress can increase cortisol as well, says Dr. Yogi-Morren.

Cortisol is a hormone jack-of-all-trades. It:

• Helps with blood pressure maintenance, sleep-wake cycles, and blood sugar regulation.
• Helps you have good energy levels.
• Regulates how your body uses fats, proteins, and carbs.

A good night’s sleep is important for cortisol regulation, she adds, Cortisol is the get-up-and-go hormone, and there’s a circadian pattern to cortisol release.

• Morning: Cortisol peaks in the morning around 5 a.m., around the time you’re waking up.
• Early afternoon: By the afternoon, cortisol levels are dropping.
• Late afternoon: Cortisol levels start to rise again, and there’s a slight peak around 4 p.m.
• Night: Cortisol levels bottom out around midnight.

Signs of a cortisol imbalance: Signs of cortisol deficiency include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Hyperpigmentation (dark spots on your skin).
• Low blood pressure.
• Nausea and vomiting.
•  Salt cravings.
• Weight loss.

Signs of too much cortisol include:

• Weakness in your proximal muscles- the muscles closer to the center of your body.
• It is developing prominent stretch marks that stay red or purple and don’t heal.
• Muscle wasting in your arms or legs.
• Weight gain, especially around your abdomen.

Adopting healthier activities and taking therapy for cortisol regulation is also essential.

2. Estrogen: Estrogen is known as a sex hormone. It affects sexual development and function. Dr.Yogi-Morren says it’s also important for bone health. When women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) go through puberty, estrogen helps them develop secondary sexual characteristics (sex characteristics not directly related to reproduction), such as:

• Breasts
• Increased body fat
• Menstrual cycles
• Uterus development

Signs of an estrogen imbalance: If you don’t have enough estrogen, you may enter menopause. Signs of menopause include:

• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Increased sweating
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain

3. Testosterone: Testosterone is another sex hormone. Like estrogen, it helps keep bones healthy.

When men and people assigned male at birth go through puberty, testosterone helps them develop secondary sexual characteristics, such as:

• Body and facial hair
• Lower voice to mature voice tone
• Muscle mass and strength

Signs of a testosterone imbalance: Signs of low testosterone include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Loss of muscle mass
• Low libido
• More belly fat

It is remembered that testosterone is a male sexual hormone while estrogen is a female sexual hormone. It is necessary to adopt positive activities and eat nutrient-healthy meals. In rare cases treated medically for the proper regulation of these hormones.

4. Thyroid hormone:  Thyroid hormones control your body’s metabolism. They help transform the food we eat into energy.

Signs of a thyroid hormone imbalance: Common symptoms of hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, include:

• Cold intolerance
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Excess weight gain
• Fatigue
• Hair loss, including on the outer third of your eyebrows

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. include:

• Increased sweating
• Jitteriness or shakiness
• Loose bowel movements
• Heart palpitations
• Weight loss

To adopt healthier precautions, the imbalance function of this hormone regularizes effectively.

5. Growth hormone: Growth hormone affects your height. Dr, Yogi-Morren says it’s most important during puberty, although too much or too little in adults can also cause problems.

Causes of growth hormone deficiencies include:

• Pituitary tumors
• Radiation therapy to treat childhood cancer
• Traumatic accidents (like car accidents).

Signs of growth hormone deficiency: These may be caused by genetic issues, signs of growth hormone deficiency include:

• Fatigue
• Gaining abdominal fat
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness

Sometimes, for people with pituitary disease, we may correct all other hormonal imbalances except growth hormone because it’s rare that adults need it, explain Dr. Yogi-Morren. But when it’s the only thing left after symptoms don’t resolve, we replace it, and people may feel a lot better.

Too much growth hormone in adults can lead to a condition called acromegaly, which can cause:

• Increased jaw size
• Increase in spaces between your teeth
• Joint pain
• New onset of diabetes or high blood pressure
• Soft tissue swelling

6. Insulin: This important hormone comes from your pancreas and regulates blood sugar glucose

It also allows the cells in our muscles, fat, and liver to take up the glucose absorbed in the blood. The glucose then gives these cells energy, says Dr. Yogi-Morren. Insulin also affects other metabolic

processes such as how the body uses fat and protein.

Signs of an insulin imbalance: A pancreas not meeting its insulin quota causes Type-1 diabetes

This condition most often occurs before adulthood but can develop at any time. Symptoms of Type-1 diabetes include:

• High blood sugar
• Increased thirst
• Too much glucose in your urine (glycosuria)
• Weight loss

In Type-2 diabetes, your pancreas makes enough insulin, but your body doesn’t respond to it like it should (insulin resistance). Signs of Type-2 diabetes include:

• Extreme thirst or hunger, even after eating
• Glycosuria
• High blood sugar
• Increased urination
• Weight loss

These hormones are regularised when we take medical aid.

7. Melatonin: Melatonin is important during sleep and helps with your body’s internal clock. Exposure to daylight affects how much melatonin your body releases.

Signs of a melatonin imbalance: Your body less melatonin as you age. If you have sleep disturbance, it could be a sign that your body doesn’t make enough melatonin hormone.

What is dopamine@What is the function of dopamine?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a crucial role in many functions of the body and mind. It’s important for several reasons:

• Mood and Pleasure: Dopamine is often called the “feel good” hormone because it contributes to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the brain’s reward system.
• Motivation: It provides the drive and focus needed for motivation. When doing something pleasurable, your brain releases dopamine, encouraging you to repeat the behavior. 
• Movement: It helps regulate movement and coordination, which is why imbalances in dopamine levels are linked to movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
• Cognition and Attention: Dopamine plays a role in memory, attention, and problem-solving tasks.
• Regulation of Body Function: It affects functions such as blood vessel activity, digestion, and the immune system.

Maintaining a healthy balance of dopamine is essential for both physical and mental health.

Too much or too little can be associated with various health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). It’s also involved in conditions like Schizophrenia and addiction, where dopamine levels can influence symptoms and behaviors. Boosting your balanced dopamine levels naturally involves a combination of dietary, lifestyle, and behavioral changes. Here are some effective ways to increase dopamine levels.

Effective ways to increase dopamine levels:

1. Regular exercise like running or swimming, can promote dopamine production.
2. A balanced diet like consuming food rich in protein, beef, eggs, dairy, soy, and omega fatty acids supports dopamine synthesis.
3. Adequate sleep ensures you get enough dopamine levels.
4. Stress management activities such as reading, writing, planning, meditation, positive self-talk, and yoga can help manage stress and boost dopamine.
5. Participating in rewarding activities such as setting and achieving goals, and maintaining social connections can contribute to healthier dopamine.
6. Sunlight exposure: spending time outdoors in sunlight can increase dopamine production.
7. Mindfulness practices can increase dopamine levels, such as positive thinking, gratitude, keeping hope, positive autosuggestions, self-motivation, etc.
8. Limit saturated Fats, It’s beneficial to consume less saturated fat to maintain dopamine levels.
9. Probiotics: Certain gut bacteria can produce dopamine, which may impact mood and behavior.
10. Thrilling activities such as playing games, solving puzzles, and making ideas for outing enjoyment also maintain dopamine levels.

Remember, these methods are part of a holistic approach to well-being and should be incorporated into your daily routine for the best results. It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional to make significant changes to your lifestyle or diet.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming Therapy:

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a set of principles and techniques aimed at enhancing self-awareness, increasing confidence, building communication skills, and motivating positive social actions. NLP was created by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in the 1970s. It became popular in the commercial and self-help realms; however, there is no regulation of NLP, nor is there a widely shared definition of the techniques that constitute NLP.

It is important to note that neuro-linguistic programming is not a form of psychotherapy. Although NLP techniques may be used to supplement conventional therapy, the empirical evidence for its efficacy is limited.

When It’s Used:

Neuro-linguistic programming has been applied to achieve personal development or work-related goals, including increasing productivity and moving forward in one’s career.

It has also been used in the treatment of mental health issues such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fears and phobias
• Poor self-esteem
• Weight management
• Substance misuse
• Stress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Most studies addressing the effectiveness of NLP in treating these issues have been small in scale and have mixed results.

NLP techniques:

• Anchoring: Associating an external or internal trigger with a healthier response until it becomes automatic.
• Belief changing: Replacing negative thoughts or beliefs that prevent the client from achieving their desires.
• Reframing: Putting a situation in a different context to elicit an adaptive reaction instead of following the same maladaptive behavioral patterns.
• Mirroring and matching: It is also a technique in NLP that what to apply mirroring and what to apply matching according to another person’s behavioral pattern. It may also apply in various situations for desired results.
• Visualization: Forming a mental image of something the client wants.
• Visual-Kinesthetic dissociation: Guiding the client in reliving trauma by evoking an imaginative out-of-body experience.

NLP therapy can be short-term or long-term, depending on the individual and the extent of the problem. NLP techniques seem like a helpful way to improve communication and self-image. and emotional well-being. A trained therapist can help you take steps to practice new communication patterns, challenge unhelpful and unwanted thoughts, and improve overall emotional health.

What are phobias.?

Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or activities. This fear is so intense that it can cause significant distress and interfere with a person’s daily life. Phobias can trigger a range of symptoms, including panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, trembling, and a strong desire to avoid the feared object or situation. There are several types of phobias, commonly categorized into:

• specific phobias: Fear of particular objects or situations, such as spiders or other insects (arachnophobia), heights (acrophobia like climbing mountains and using a lift to approach the upper portion of a building), or flying (aerophobia), there is also included in this category, corps, ghosts, or unpopulated places, the graveyard, wild animals have specific like phobias.
• social phobia: social phobia is also known as social anxiety disorder which means fear of social situations where one might be judged or embarrassed.
• Agoraphobia: Fear of being in places where escape might be difficult, often associated with fear of crowds, bridges, or being outside alone.

Treatment: Treatment for phobias may include therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), NLP is also effective in these cases and in some cases, medication to manage anxiety. Individuals with phobias need to seek help from healthcare professionals like psychiatrists or psychologists to overcome their fears and improve their quality of life.

Causes of phobias:

A combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors can cause phobias. Preventing phobias in children involves creating a supportive environment and addressing fears early on.

Structure of Brain:

 

Our brain is an essential organ that is crucial in various bodily functions. Let’s explore its fascinating features:

1. Information Processing: Our brain receives and interprets sensory information from our five senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste). It also processes inputs touch, vibration, pain, and temperature from the rest of your body. This allows you to understand and associate meaning with your surroundings.
2. Emotions and Memories: All our emotions, sensations, and memories originate from our brain. It stores memories and controls our moments, making us uniquely individual.
3. Motor Function and Coordination: The brain enables voluntary movements and balance. and coordination. The primary motor cortex is located in the frontal lobes. controls movements.
4. Automatic Function: Our brainstem regulates automatic body functions such as heart rate, breathing, sleep-wake cycles, and swallowing. These functions occur without conscious control. 
5. Brain Structure: The brain consists of three main sections:

• Cerebrum: Interprets sights, sounds, and touches, It also regulates emotions, reasoning, and learning.
• Cerebellum: Maintains balance, posture, coordination, and fine motor skills.
• Brainstem: Regulates automatic functions and connects the brain to the spinal cord.

It is summerise as our brain is a remarkable organ that orchestrates everything from our thoughts and memories to physical movements and emotions. We must keep it healthy.

How can we improve our brain health?

Certainly! Maintaining good brain health is essential for overall well-being. Here are some practical tips to enhance our brain health.

1. Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise improves blood flow to the brain, promotes the growth of new neurons, and enhances cognitive function. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week.
2. Eat a Brain-Boosting Diet: 

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These healthy fats found in fish (like salmon and mackerel), walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds support brain health.
• Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Blueberries, spinach, and other colorful fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that protect brain cells from damage.
• Whole Grains: Opt for whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and oats, which provide a steady supply of energy to the brain.

3. Get Adequate Sleep: Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and overall brain function. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

4. Stay Mentally Active:  e

• Learn New Skills: Engage in activities that challenge your brain, such as learning a musical instrument, solving puzzles, or studying a new language.
• Read and Stay Curious: Reading stimulates different brain areas and keeps your mind active.

5. Socialization: Intractings with others helps maintain cognitive function. Join clubs, volunteer (well-fair activities), or spend time with family and friends.

6. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can harm brain health. Practice relaxation.

7. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration affects cognitive performance. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

8. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can damage brain cells.

9. Protect Your Head: Wear helmets during sports or activities that pose a risk of head injury.

10. Consider Brain-Boosting Supplements:

• Omega-3 Supplements: If you don’t consume enough fish, consider omega-3 supplements.
• Vitamin D: Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with beyyer cognitive function.

Remember that consistency is essential. Small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on our brain health time by time.