Catherine Zeta-Jones Diagnosed With Bipolar Disorder

The stress accumulated by Oscar winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones during her husband's, actor Michael Douglas, battle for life against neck-cancer did not disappear without leaving marks. One of her representatives, quoted by "People" magazine, announced that Caterine was diagnosed with a mental illnes called bipolar disorder, in order to be treated she spent five days at Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut.

What is bipolar disorder ?

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of disorders, defined by several episodes of high energy levels, cognition and affection, and one or more depressive episodes. Positive affective states are called mania or, if they are lighter, hypomania.

Individuals frequently experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which mania and depression states are present at the same time.

These episodes are usually separated by states of normality , and for some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. This disorder has been divided into type I bipolar disorder, type II bipolar and cyclothymia, all these together being called "bipolar cycle".

This video explains the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder (manic depression):

Disorder episodes are usually associated with stress and have a high suicidal risk, especially during the depressive states.

Special psychotherapeutic and pharmacological techniques are used to treat the bipolar disorder. Individuals can follow self-therapy procedures or can be hospitalized, especially when they suffer from type I bipolar disorder.

Psychoterapy aims to treat the basic sympthoms, to identify the episodes that trigger the manic/drepessive states, to minimize the negative emotions.

For many people with bipolar disorder a good prognosis results from good

treatment and proper diagnosis. Bipolar disorders can be severely disabling medical condition, yet many individuals can live satisfying lives.

Medication is often necessary to achieve this goal. These people may have

periods of normal functioning between episodes. The final prognosis depends on many factors, several are under individual control. These factors may include the right medication, right dose, knowledge of disease and its effects, a positive relationship between doctor and patient, good physical health, a moderate level of stress. There are other factors that lead to a good prognosis as recognition of changes in sleep, affection and patient nutrition.

Watch this video to see what other celebrities suffer(ed) from bipolar disorder:

Pathogenesis and causes:

The causes of bipolar disorder vary among individuals. Studies of monozygotic twins show a genetic contribution but also substantial environmental influence.

Childhood experiences:
Some long-term studies indicate that children who later receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder may experience early symptoms such as cyclical affective abnormalities, major depressive episodes and possibly ADHD. Hypersensitivity and irritability may be present.

Adult life experiences:

Results suggest that environmental factors play a significant role in the development and evolution of bipolar disorder, and that individual's psychosocial variables interact with genetic predisposition. There is evidence that life events and interpersonal relationships contribute to the onset and recurrent episodes of abnormal emotionality, as the appellant depression. It was shown that half of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder reported traumatic experiences in childhood abuse and associated with early onset, recurrent episodes of negative evolution and disease.

Neural processes:
Scientists believe that anomalies in the structure and function of brain circuits may underlie emotional disorders. Some studies have found anatomical anomalies in areas such as the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Yet despite 25 years of research,  neuroscientific elements are still on debate. It was suggested that a hypersensitivity activity of melatonin receptors in the eye would be a reliable indicator of bipolar disorder.

Classification of bipolar disorders:

Type I bipolar disorder: one or more manic episodes.

Type II  bipolar disorder: no manic episodes, but one or more hypomanic
episodes and one or more major depressive episodes.

Cyclothymia: a history of hypomanic episodes with episodes of depression that do not meet criteria for major depressive episodes. Diagnosis of type I bipolar disorder requires at least the presence of a manic episode with a duration of at least a week leading  to hospitalization or other significant impairment of social and professional function. Episodes of mania can be caused by medical illness or substance abuse.