Home
About Sky
Self Mutilation
Depression
Suicide
ANGER
Abuse
ALCOHOL
Losing A Loved One
Crisis Intervention
Codependency
Personal Goals
Life in Foster Care
Self Esteem
Stress
Communication Skills
Bipolar
Mistakes in Thinking
POETRY
Astrology
mypictures
Mike
Family
MEMORIAL PAGE
Linkz

BIPOLAR

My experience with this very diagnosis is what made me say, "I want to be a counselor when i grow up." at the age of 12. My boyfriend at the time was 14 years old. He had been diagnosed with manic depression-Bipolar. He suffered for what he thought was eternity. August 1995, he chose a permanent solution to his problem, suicide. I have since then met many young adults diagnosed with Bipolar. They struggle to find their norm, they spend everyday trying to understand what the middle ground is all about. They struggle period, maybe a lot more than most people. Let me tell you about what Bipolar is and what you can do.....

Bipolar disorder is a serious lifelong condition that affects 2 million people in the U.S.—and those who care about them. The key is understanding the condition and getting proper treatment.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It causes dramatic mood swings—from "high" feelings of extreme euphoria or irritability (mania) to hopelessness (depression). Each episode of mania or depression changes a person's energy level, thought process, and behavior, and can last for hours, weeks, or several months. This disease can damage relationships, can cause problems with school and work, and can even lead to suicide.

What Bipolar is:

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. If untreated, the disease can produce dramatic mood swings—and can seriously disrupt a person's life and the lives of those around them. While most people have their share of ups and downs, people with bipolar disorder experience a vicious cycle of dangerous highs called "mania" and debilitating lows known as "depression."

The two "poles" of bipolar: mania and depression
In bipolar disorder, the periods of highs and lows are called manic and depressive "episodes." During manic episodes, your mood soars and your mind races. You may go days without sleep, and you can vastly overestimate your abilities. In periods of depression, just getting out of bed can feel like climbing Mt. Everest. You may have difficulty concentrating, and you may lose interest in all your favorite activities. Some people also experience what's known as a "mixed episode," where symptoms of depression accompany the mania.

The length of an episode often differs for each person, and the pattern can change over time. Sometimes an episode will last a few hours or days; other times, it can go on for weeks or even months. In between these episodes, most people with bipolar disorder have a relatively normal period (what doctors call "euthymia"). A series of four or more manic or depressive episodes in 12 months is known as "rapid cycling," a condition that can be more difficult to treat.

How doctors define bipolar disorder
Doctors have identified four different forms of bipolar disorder:

• Bipolar I disorder—Recurring manic episodes or mixed episodes, and often one or more episodes of depression.
• Bipolar II disorder—Depression that alternates with a milder form of mania called "hypomania."
• Cyclothymic disorder—Moods that shift between short periods of mild mania and mild depression. (Many people with cyclothymia may later develop a more severe form of bipolar illness.)
• Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (NOS)—Any form of the illness that doesn't fit the above definitions (e.g., recurring hypomania with no depressive symptoms). 

THE SYMPTOMS

Each of the two phases of bipolar disorder, mania and depression, has its own set of symptoms—although some people may have a "mixed episode," in which they have manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. The severity of the symptoms can vary from person to person—and can change as the illness progresses.

Unlike diseases that can be detected through blood tests or body scans, bipolar disorder can be hard to identify. Recognizing the symptoms plays a crucial role in diagnosing bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of bipolar mania
The main feature of a manic episode is an excessively "high" mood (euphoria) or an abnormally irritable mood. The mood must last for a week or more (less time if the person has to go to the hospital). Along with the euphoria or irritability, a person has three or four of the following symptoms:

• Inflated sense of self-importance (e.g., may have grandiose delusions or overestimate abilities and talents)
• Decreased need for sleep (e.g., may go days without sleep and not feel tired)
• Loud, rapid speech (e.g., may talk nonstop)
• Racing thoughts (e.g., may abruptly jump from one subject to another)
• Distractibility (e.g., may not be able to screen out irrelevant details)
• Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may pace or hold multiple conversations at once)
• Increase in goal-oriented activities (e.g., may have an increased sex drive or become excessively and inappropriately social) 
• Unwise involvement in pleasurable but potentially risky activities (e.g., may rack up significant debt, have sex with strangers, abuse drugs, or make rash investment decisions) 

Symptoms of bipolar depression
Bipolar depression is more than just having the blues. A person in the midst of a major depressive episode experiences extreme sadness or numbness almost all day, every day, for at least two weeks. Or they may show a loss of interest in or enjoyment from their favorite activities. In addition, the person shows signs of at least four of the following nearly every day:

• Significant changes in appetite and/or weight (e.g., may crave specific foods or be unable to eat)
• Sleep problems (e.g., may have insomnia or sleep too much)
• Loss of energy or fatigue (e.g., may take much longer to do simple, everyday tasks)
• Trouble concentrating (e.g., may have a hard time making decisions or focusing on work)
• Slowed speech, thinking, or body movements (e.g., may take a long time to answer a question)
• Inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness (e.g., may fixate on perceived failings)

• Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may not be able to sit still)
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (e.g., may have plans for how to commit suicide) 

THE CAUSES OF BIPOLAR

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness related to an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. No one knows exactly what causes this chemical imbalance, but researchers are looking for specific genes that may play a role. Stress and other environmental factors can trigger manic and depressive episodes, but they do not cause the disease—bipolar disorder is a biological illness.

Bipolar disorder runs in the family. A person with close relatives who have bipolar disorder is more likely to be affected by the illness—this is what is known as a "genetic predisposition." Not everyone with the condition has relatives with bipolar disorder. But, according to the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, your chance of developing the illness greatly increases if you have a family history:

• Parents—When one parent is bipolar, each child has a 15%-30% chance of developing the condition. When both parents have the illness, the risk jumps to between 50% and 75%.
• Siblings—If you have a brother or sister with bipolar disorder, you have a 15% to 25% chance of developing the illness.

It is important to stress that some people with the illness have no family history whatsoever.

Life events can trigger an episode
When a person is at risk for bipolar disorder, a serious event or illness can sometimes bring on an episode of mania or depression. These "triggers" include:

• Chronic illness
• Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Loss of a loved one
• Drug abuse
• Lack of sleep
• Hypothyroidism
• Antidepressant medications (they can cause a manic episode if you are prone to bipolar disorder)

Unfortunately, there is no blood test that can reveal whether a person has bipolar disorder. Someone who has a genetic predisposition can ask their doctor to determine whether they have any symptoms of the disease. This kind of checkup is known as a screening.

THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS

People with bipolar disorder often spend years suffering through their illness before they are properly diagnosed. In a July 2000 study conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), nearly 70% of bipolar people surveyed said that they had been misdiagnosed. On average, they had seen four doctors before receiving the right diagnosis.

Here are some of the main reasons why bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose:

Bipolar disorder is often mistaken for depression
In the DBSA study, bipolar disorder was most often misdiagnosed as depression. It’s easy to see why. The symptoms of bipolar depression are almost identical to those of clinical depression (what doctors call “unipolar depression”). What’s more, many people with bipolar disorder seek help when they are depressed, not when they’re manic. Some people aren’t always aware that their mania is part of an illness. Often they see this as a time when they can get a lot accomplished—clean the house or do holiday shopping. Or they may be afraid to give up the “highs.” Either way, they often downplay or deliberately avoid mentioning their manic symptoms when they visit the doctor.

Substance abuse and social problems can cloud the picture. People with bipolar disorder are far more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol because they’re trying to treat their symptoms themselves (self-medicate). They are also more likely to have relationship troubles, or to struggle with their performance at work or in school. Unfortunately, doctors and patients often try to address these problems without getting at their root cause. In fact, a common myth among bipolar patients is that their alcoholism or drug abuse “caused” their bipolar disease, when in reality the reverse is usually true.

Bipolar disorder is harder to diagnose in younger people. Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can often mimic other problems that occur at these ages. For example, the disease may be misdiagnosed as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); in both illnesses, children exhibit distractibility, aggressiveness, and destructive tantrums.

As doctors learn more about bipolar disorder, they’re becoming better at recognizing it. But one key way to prevent misdiagnosis is for patients to talk about all their symptoms with the doctor. Giving a complete medical history (including any information about parents or siblings with similar symptoms) can greatly increase a person’s chances of getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.

TREATING BIPOLAR DISORDER

Thanks to effective treatments, people with bipolar disorder can lead rich and fulfilling lives. This illness is usually treated by a psychiatrist—a medical doctor who specializes in mental health—although some primary care physicians also treat bipolar disorder.
Treatment usually includes medication and psychotherapy. Medication treats the illness directly, and psychotherapy provides the skills needed to manage it and avoid new episodes. In an emergency, electro convulsive therapy (ECT) can also be used to get an episode under control quickly.

Fine-tuning medications
Some diseases, like diabetes, can be treated with a single type of medication, like insulin. Unfortunately, treating bipolar disorder is more complicated. There are several drugs available, but they act on different aspects of the disease, and people respond to them differently. Also, it's common to make adjustments if symptoms change—from mania to depression, for example.

Many people with bipolar disorder take a few different prescriptions to even out their moods. As you can imagine, finding the right combination takes good communication, some trial-and-error, and a lot of patience.

Long-term treatment—the key to good health
For a variety of reasons, some people give up on their medication. This is never a good idea since bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. That means it is likely to come back and get even worse unless it is treated with medication over time. Sticking with the treatment program can sometimes be a challenge, but it's worth it in the long run.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapy, also called "talk therapy," plays a key role in treating bipolar disorder. Talk therapy alone can't cure the illness. But studies show that it helps to stabilize moods, improve quality of life, and prevent hospitalizations. It also helps people build supportive relationships and avoid relapse.

Therapy consists of regular visits with a mental health professional, usually a psychiatrist or psychologist. Most people see their therapist once a week for about an hour. Others may benefit from more frequent visits. Therapy may be one-on-one or include the whole family. The following types of therapy have proven to be especially useful to people with bipolar disorder:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy works on changing the negative mental habits caused by bipolar disorder. People learn techniques for replacing distorted thoughts with more accurate perceptions.

• Family therapy consists of a group discussion between a therapist and family members. It helps diminish stress within the family, which can in turn help prevent relapse. A therapist can also teach family members to spot the early signs of relapse.
• Interpersonal therapy helps people develop better communication skills so that their relationships improve. It also helps people with bipolar disorder develop healthy routines. Regular sleep and eating habits can help prevent manic episodes, for example.

• Psychoeducation teaches bipolar people about their illness. This helps them refine their treatment and recognize the early signs of relapse.

Talk therapy can be very effective—when it's used along with medication, it can dramatically improve a person's outlook.

FACTS!!!!!

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that bipolar disorder affects more than 2 million American adults. That's just over 1% of the population.

Who gets bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder affects people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Are women more affected than men?
Bipolar disorder affects both sexes in equal numbers, according to the NIMH. But gender can play a role in how the illness first appears and whether it is correctly diagnosed. In men, the first bipolar episode tends to be a manic one, but women usually start with a depressive episode. As a result, many women with bipolar disorder are mistakenly given a diagnosis of clinical, or "unipolar," depression—a condition more common in women than men.

At what age does bipolar disorder usually appear?
Bipolar disorder usually starts to affect people in their late teens or early twenties. But there can be a huge range: Some people show symptoms in early childhood. Others may not have their first manic or depressive episode until they're in their forties or fifties.

Does bipolar disorder require medication?
Yes. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong chronic illness. It cannot be controlled on your own without medication. Unfortunately, recent studies suggest that between 30% and 50% of people with bipolar disorder are currently going without treatment.

Are people with bipolar disorder more at risk for suicide?
Bipolar disorder is a manageable and treatable condition, and many people with the illness live long and productive lives. If left untreated, though, it can be life-threatening. Experts estimate that between 15% and 19% of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. People with bipolar disorder are much more likely to commit suicide during an episode of depression than during a manic episode.

Can someone with bipolar disorder lead a normal life?
Absolutely. With proper treatment, bipolar disorder can be effectively managed. Many well-known and accomplished public figures—from Beethoven to Winston Churchill—have led successful lives despite having bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose and complex to treat. Part of the problem is that it may look like other illnesses. Or it may occur along with other conditions.

Bipolar disorder and unipolar depression
There has been little research to date on bipolar depression, so it's unclear just how it differs from clinical, or "unipolar," depression. The symptoms of the two are almost identical. However, there are key differences between bipolar disorder and unipolar depression:

• Bipolar disorder appears to have a stronger genetic component than depression.
• Bipolar disorder affects men and women in equal numbers, while twice as many women as men suffer from depression.
• Compared to depression, bipolar disorder has an earlier age of onset, and the episodes of mania and depression seem to occur more often.
• People with bipolar disorder don't respond as well to antidepressants as people with unipolar depression.

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have often been confused, partly because the delusions and hallucinations associated with severe mania may resemble the symptoms of schizophrenia. New research does suggest that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may be linked to abnormalities in the same set of genes. However, these two conditions are quite different in a number of notable ways:

• Schizophrenia tends to more severely interfere with a person's functioning, especially in the area of memory.
• People with bipolar disorder are more likely than those with schizophrenia to have periods of remission.
• People with bipolar disorder, as opposed to those with schizophrenia, can often be successfully treated with mood stabilizers such as lithium.

Bipolar disorder and substance abuse
Alcohol and drug abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder. Research suggests that up to 60% of bipolar people abuse substances (most commonly alcohol, followed by marijuana or cocaine) at some point in their lives. It's important to remember, however, that substance abuse does not cause bipolar disorder. A person with untreated bipolar disorder may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the effects of the disease. This kind of self-medication is ineffective and dangerous, and it can make the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease much more difficult.

Bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders
People with bipolar disorder may be more likely to have anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder. This can make treatment more complicated, as anxiety disorders may require additional medication.