Bipolar Disorder

May 12

MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder, formally known as Manic Depression is defined as an imbalance in brain chemistry. Which leads to extreme emotional highs, known as mania or hypomania; and lows, known as depression. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic and lifelong illness, making it difficult for the patient to live a normal life if left untreated. Performing everyday tasks such as going to work, school or sustaining relationships; both personal and professional, become a challenge. Currently, there is no known cure for this illness. However, with proper medication and psychotherapy these symptoms an be managed effectively.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorder (BPD):

There are several types of bipolar and related disorders. They may include mania, hypomania and/or depression.

Bipolar I Disorder: There is at least one manic episode that may be preceded by hypomania or a major depressive episode. In some cases, mania may trigger a break from reality (psychosis).
Bipolar II Disorder: There is at least one major depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but not manic episodes.
Cyclothymic Disorder: There are at least two years in adults or one year in children and teenagers where many periods of hypomania symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms (though less severe than major depression) occur.
Other Types: These include, bipolar and related disorders induced by certain drug or alcohol use or due to a medical condition such as multiple sclerosis, Cushing’s Disease and stroke.

Symptoms of Mania and Hypomania

Mania and Hypomania are two distinct types of episodes. Mania is more severe than hypomania and can cause more problems at work, school and social activities; as well as make difficulties within relationships. Mania in some instances can require hospitalization due to a break from reality also known as psychosis.
Both Mania and Hypomania include three or more of the following symptoms:

Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired
Increased activity, energy or agitation
Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
Decreased need for sleep
Unusual talkativeness
Racing Thoughts
Distractibility
Poor Decision-making- for example: going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks or making foolish investments

Symptoms of a Major Depressive Episode

A major depressive episode would include symptoms that are severe enough to cause a noticeable difficulty with day to day activities. An episode includes five or more of the following symptoms:

Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful (in children and teens, depressed mood can appear as irritability)
Marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all- or almost all- activities
Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite (in children, failure to gain weight as expected can be a sign of depression)
Either insomnia or sleeping too much
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide.

Other Features of Bipolar Disorder

Signs and symptoms of Bipolar I or II may include other features, such as anxious distress, melancholy, psychosis, etc. The timing of symptoms may include diagnostic labels such as mix or rapid cycling. In addition, bipolar symptoms may occur during pregnancy or change with the seasons.

BIPOLAR DISORDER AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Almost 70% of people who have Bipolar Disorder use medical marijuana during their lifetime, but can the use of marijuana treat mental health conditions? Is medical marijuana treatment safe and effective for bipolar disorder? These questions can be explained by examining the relationship between medical marijuana and bipolar disorder.

Many people wonder, “Can marijuana help with bipolar disorder?” Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that affects an individual’s mood, energy levels and overall behavior. Someone that suffers form Bipolar Disorder will tend to struggle with conditions such as mania, which is brief periods of high energy and elevated mood, followed by bouts of depression, oversleeping and increased irritability.

Bipolar Disorder can be overwhelming, but it is treatable which leads people to ask, “Can marijuana treat Bipolar Disorder?” While the research is still ongoing some studies suggest that medical marijuana may help with some of the symptoms caused by bipolar disorder. One effect of marijuana is that it can, in some cases, slow down the brain, which is why people with Bipolar Disorder may choose medical marijuana to help alleviate stress, anxiety, and manic symptoms. Other patients suffering from mania turn to medical marijuana if they traditional prescription medications have been ineffective. Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder reported that medical marijuana (cannabis) helps reduce the frequency in which they have mood swings, racing thoughts and feelings of dread, making daily life management easier.

OTHER TREATMENTS

Bipolar Disorder is treated and managed in several ways:

Pyschotherapy: Such as cognitive behavioral therapy and family-focused therapy.
Medications: Like mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications and antidepressants.
Self-management strategies: For example, education and recognition of an episode’s early symptoms

MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMES IN SEVERAL FORMS

They include:

Dried leaves, plant, or buds for smoking.
Edible products for oral ingestion, like cookies, brownies, gummies, or candies.
Oils that can be vaporized or mixed into food and drinks
Creams that can be applied topically to the skin.
Solutions that can be sprayed into the mouth.
Capsules and pills.

SIDE EFFECTS THAT ARE POSSIBLE FROM THE USE OF MARIJUANA

They include:

Difficulty with concentration and memory.
Dizziness.
Dry mouth and eyes.
Fainting.
Fast heart rate.
Headache.
Increased appetite.
Low blood pressure.

Therefore proper monitoring by a physician must be done while taking medical marijuana. Our marijuana doctor at CannabisMD TeleMed has helped thousands of patients realize the natural benefits of medical cannabis treatment.

By getting your Virginia marijuana card you will get access to the state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries which will allow patients to purchase marijuana and cannabis-infused products to treat their medical conditions. The products sold at the state marijuana dispensaries in Virginia have strict controls on what can be in the product.

Many of our patients like knowing exactly what is in their medical cannabis products when they purchase natural and medicinal marijuana products from the dispensaries. They also appreciate that it gives them access to the same potency product anytime they need it as well as the added benefit of being able to have it hand delivered to their door.

Start the process of getting your Virginia Marijuana Card today be clicking on the “Schedule an Evaluation” button below. All payments are 100% refundable if you are not certified for medical marijuana treatment. All medical conditions are considered by our marijuana doctor and his team of providers so if you are interested in seeing if you could benefit then schedule your appointment to get approved today!

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