Affective disorder

Also known as maniac depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder or maniac depression, bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can be managed with appropriate treatment. People with bipolar disorder experience a change in their energy levels and activities along with severe mood swings. This disorder is aptly named bipolar disorder because the mood of a person varies between two opposite poles of euphoria and depression. The highly elevated mood episodes are known as mania or extremely sad moods are called depression. A patient suffering from bipolar disorder might experience mania, depression or a mixed feeling of both. A mild episode of elevated mood is known as hypomania. Normal mood persists in between episodes of mania and depression.

Bipolar I disorder: In this type of disorder, the patient has at least one episode of mania or mixed mood and often gets depressed. In between mood swings, the patient might appear to have normal mood. Mood swings can come about with changing seasons.

Bipolar II disorder: In this type of disorder, the patient has at least one episode of depression and at least one episode of hypomania. Hypomania is not a severe form of mania.

Cyclothymic Disorder: This is the mildest form of bipolar disorder. The patient experiences mild gloominess and somewhat elevated feelings. Mood swings are less severe and prevail for a short period of time. People with cyclothymic disorder might develop severe bipolar disorder with time.

Causes for affective disorder

Hereditary factor: Any relative from the patient's family might have been a victim of this disorder thus passing on the disorder.

Hormone level fluctuation: It is understood that varying hormonal levels in the body could lead to bipolar disorder. For e.g. people with altering thyroid hormone levels are prone to this disorder.

Brain part: Varying size and shape of parts in the brain can also lead to bipolar disorder.

Chemical imbalance in the brain: If the chemical levels in the brain are not at the optimum levels, it can result in bipolar disorder.

Treating Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder varies from person to person and so the treatment offered is also based on the current condition of the patient. Medications can help control extreme mood swings. Psychotherapy or talk therapy enables the patient to talk about his/her condition to the health professional.

Actinotherapy

Actinotherapy is the use of Ultra Violet light for treating skin conditions. Actinotherapy or the use of conventional electromagnetic waves therapy - specifically using Xrays or UV light in sufficient intensity for therapeutic purposes in the treatment of skin diseases.

There are many forms of Light Therapy:
Cold Laser Therapy: Using a low level laser light on the skin to treat some skin diseases, pain conditions and Tendonitis. The efficacy of this form of Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) lacks sufficient evidence.

Back of Knee Light Therapy: According to a study published in 1998, a powerful beam of light was used to 'excite' the back of knee - an area known as popliteal region to manipulate circadian rhythms. Further studies are on to use this treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and to alleviate some painful conditions like diabetic nerve pain.