One in 19 has brain disorder

One in 19 has brain disorder - The Standard

Mimi Lau

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

One in 19 people in Hong Kong could be suffering from mood disorder, according to the latest findings by University of Hong Kong psychiatrists. The condition - known as bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness - is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy and ability to function. It is said to be incurable, and typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood.

"The condition is quite common in Hong Kong, but the public's awareness of the illness is low.

"It can have chronic and adverse effects on one's mental health," Chung Ka-sai of the University of Hong Kong's psychiatry department said.

The university conducted a survey from December last year to January this year, in which nearly 1,500 people were interviewed, and found 81 of the respondents, or 5.5 percent, had seven or more mania symptoms.

The most common symptoms include hyperactivity, distractibility, racing thoughts, over-confidence, over energetic, decreased need for sleep, elated mood, irritability and even excessive spending and increased sexual appetite.

About 36 percent of the sufferers are unaware of the problems caused by the disorder.

According to Chung, students are among those prone to bipolar disorder, which tends to hit people aged between 31 and 40.

In some cases, a humble person can suddenly appear ecstatic with grandiose ideas and overly talkative, while being energetic with only one to two hours of sleep.

The mania symptoms could last four days and be followed by a two-week depression cycle.

Chung said although the condition is incurable, treatment using lithium can help stabilize a person's mood if his or her condition is properly diagnosed.

"However, sufferers often undermine their illness and think they're only going through a rough patch in their lives," he said.

While the real causes of bipolar disorder have yet to be identified, Chung said the condition is genetically inherited.

It is also sometimes related to one's upbringing or malfunctioning brain tissues.

OMG! I got some of the mania symptoms!

Folks, please forgive me if you find me, a ‘humble’ person, suddenly appear ecstatic with grandiose ideas and overly talkative as I must have been suffering from the mood disorder. :p