Bipolar Disorder vs Schizophrenia: Awareness Day

Every year on May 24, people throughout the world commemorate World Schizophrenia Awareness Day to promote awareness of the illness and inform them about its signs, symptoms, and treatments. Differentiating between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is a typical issue in comprehending both mental health diseases since their symptoms occasionally coincide. Different disorders have distinct characteristics, which will be discussed.

Bipolar disorder: Mood Swings and Fluctuations

A mental health disease called bipolar disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of mood swings that alternate between manic and depressive phases. According to Dr. Rituparna Ghosh, a psychologist at Apollo Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, Manic episodes cause heightened emotions, energy, racing thoughts, impulsivity, and reduced sleep. They could exhibit dangerous habits, struggle to concentrate, or have trouble holding cogent discussions. Depressive episodes, on the other hand, are marked by protracted melancholy, a sense of helplessness, poor energy, changes in eating and sleep habits, difficulties focusing, a loss of interest in activities, and suicidal or self-harming thoughts. The alternating between these manic and depressed phases is the primary characteristic of bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia: Disrupted Thinking and Perception

Unlike bipolar disease, schizophrenia is a persistent and severe mental illness that influences a person’s thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behavior. According to Dr. Ghosh, positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations (the perception of things that are not there) and delusions (fixed incorrect beliefs), as well as disordered thought and speech. Negative symptoms are also present, such as less emotional expressiveness, social isolation, and a lack of drive.

Disturbances in thinking and perception characterize schizophrenia.

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

The Ruby Hall Clinic’s Dr. Pankaj B. Borade, a consultant psychiatrist, underlines a crucial distinction between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: mood symptoms.

Bipolar disorder exhibits mood swings, while schizophrenia manifests as psychosis and disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior.

Management of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia and bipolar illness are chronic mental diseases with family traits. To enable people to live productive lives within their communities, effective management is essential. The main medications used to treat bipolar illness include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.

To achieve better results, practitioners may also utilize psychotherapies. World Schizophrenia Awareness Day raises awareness of mental health problems.

Read more:https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/world-schizophrenia-awareness-day-is-it-bipolar-disorder-or-schizophrenia-experts-on-difference-between-the-symptoms-101684849965928.html

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