If an individual’s family has confronted him or her repeatedly about the damage that addiction and a struggle with bipolar disorder is causing, and loved ones have joined together to stage an intervention to let him know how bad things really are, and he still refuses to seek recovery help, family has the legal option …

Involuntary commitment should be limited to persons who pose a serious risk of physical harm to themselves or others in the near future. Under no circumstances should involuntary commitment be imposed upon someone based upon a risk of harm to property or a risk of non-physical harm.

Involuntary outpatient treatment pits two important ethical principles against each other, creating a tension between beneficence and autonomy. Beneficence, an ethical principle that dates from the Hippocratic Oath, holds that a physician’s efforts shall be focused on providing treatment that helps a patient.

The main difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders lies in the severity of the manic episodes caused by each type. A person with bipolar 1 will experience a full manic episode, while a person with bipolar 2 will experience only a hypomanic episode (a period that’s less severe than a full manic episode).

The diagnostic criteria for hypomania require at least three of the following symptoms for at least four days: inflated self-esteem or grandiosity; decreased need for sleep; increased talkativeness; racing thoughts or ideas; marked distractibility; agitation or increased activity; excessive participation in activities …

Possible causes of hypomania or mania include:

• high levels of stress.
• changes in sleep patterns or lack of sleep.
• using recreational drugs or alcohol.
• seasonal changes – for example, some people are more likely to experience hypomania and mania in spring.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day if possible. Avoid staying out late and keep a consistent sleep schedule each day. Keep a journal of mood changes or use a mood chart. These can help a person spot mania or hypomania coming on, so they can work with their therapist to treat it.

When left untreated, the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder will often increase in severity and may lead to suicide; there is a high suicide rate for people with the disorder. When treated, it’s possible to control the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and enjoy a more stable and fulfilling life.

There are no specific blood tests or brain scans to diagnose bipolar disorder. Even so, your doctor may perform a physical exam and order lab tests, including a thyroid function test and urine analyses. These tests can help determine if other conditions or factors could be causing your symptoms.