Bipolar Disorder: More Than the Ups and Downs of Life
Bipolar disorder is known for its ups and downs. But does it go beyond the typical person's up-and-down feelings during life, and how far? This disorder, which is also referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes the characteristic ups and downs, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site.
Those who have the disorder may have mood swings and extreme changes in energy and activity levels. This might seem like a severe case of PMS to some, but it’s not. Thankfully there are many treatment options out there, though people can suffer with the disorder throughout a lifetime. Most develop the disorder in late teen years or adulthood, according to NIMH.
There are two parts of bipolar disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Web site. There is mania and depression. Mania is the more energetic part of bipolar disorder, which includes risk taking, impulsive activities (like sex, shopping and alcohol/drug abuse), quick speech and thoughts, superior strength and brain activity, sleep deprivation with no fatigue, etc.
Besides mania, there is the depression aspect of bipolar disorder. This includes the common symptoms of lack of energy, fatigue, inconsistent sleeping patterns, feelings of loss and uselessness, suicidal thoughts, irritability, guilt, lack of concentration and decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, among other symptoms.
The mania and depression phase of bipolar disorder can either happen separately or together. When the phases happen together, this is called a mixed state. That is where the popular definition of bipolar disorder stems from.
There are four types of bipolar disorder, according to www.kidshealth.org. These four types are Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder or Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. The sad thing is that many people with bipolar disorder are not diagnosed properly or are never treated, according to the Web site.
Before diagnosing a patient, doctors need to be completely sure that they are treating a patient for the correct mental illness. If not, symptoms can get worse.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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I'm so sick of "there are many treatments" and "it's treatable".
Yes there are many treatments for "severed head syndrome" too. But there are no cures.
Bi-polar is not curable. By candy coating it and trying to give people hope it in fact comes off as belittling to people who are likely facing a lifetime of serious incurable problems.
I'm sure it makes psychiatrists feel better though.
November 25, 2009 - 10:24amThis Comment
I feel you are being unnecessarily negative. No it may not be curable, but it is treatable. Cancer is not curable, but it is treatable and people go on to live relatively healthy and long lives. With knowledge of your particular situation, what your triggers are, how to deal with the onset of symptoms and what behaviours, diet and environments are bad for you, you can meet this dis-ease head on and kick it square in the butt. No, before you ask I am not a health professional, rather a partner and carer of a beautiful man who has bi-polar. Together we work everyday to recognise when he is not coping, and what he is capable of doing in life so as not to exacerbate already exsisting issues. You obviously need to make many changes in your life, find yourself the right kind of support, and change your life for the better now. I know first hand that it is not easy, but trust me it can be done.
December 2, 2009 - 2:24amI was diagnosed as manic depressive 25years ago when you had to have severe mania and depression to get the diagnosis - there were no "degrees" of manic depression as there are today. I hold down a job, a marriage and I have raised two children, one of whom inherited this from me.
You can succeed despite manic depression. Is it easy? Hell, no. Are there crappy medication side effects and days that I don't want to get out of bed? Yup. But I do it anyway.
You may be sick of "it's treatable." I'm sick of people using it as an excuse to act like idiots and tar those of us who live despite it with the stigma.
January 19, 2010 - 8:16pmCongratulations! You are 'normal' now.
May 6, 2010 - 2:44pmI think you may have understated the extremes of the depression that bi polar people might sink to. Twenty percent of those who are bi polar commit suicide. A person should try to find the best psychiatrist they can and get the appropriate treatment. It is not always an easy process and a person might have to try different drugs in order to find what might work best for them.
November 25, 2009 - 6:40pmOne aspect of bipolar disorder that's often overlooked is that of self help. There's a lot one can do for oneself to improve one's symptom profile, even to adjust one's lifestyle to the point that it puts him or her out of the range of being diagnosable. One John's Hopkins doctor and expert on bipolar disorder felt that up to 30% of the symptoms of bipolar could be addressed by attention to diet, nutrition, exercise, cutting out smoking and alcohol, and other positive lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, the media might be an area where some can make adjustments, less intense music, along with less time listening to music, for some. Some who have bipolar disorder, might listen to some pretty intense music on a regular basis. This can effect both mood and the chemical balance of one's mind. Additionally, intense movies and TV can also contribute, as well as the time one spends watching TV. TV is pretty strong bombardment of the mind. So, for those who are very sensitive, or who have had some trauma in life, then doing without all of that can make a positive difference, really limiting, spending more time reading, doing art work, time outdoors, walking, hiking, etc. Walking is a great exercise, because it releases chemicals in the mind which can be naturally stabilizing, and it is a positive effort, helps to balance moods and clear your mind for 30 minutes to an hour a day, and is great for depression also. It helps you to focus. Art helps you to focus and can be a natural mood stabalizer. (also, avoid pornography, it is destabilizing). This is a link that some other ideas: http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_bipolar_disorder.php
November 26, 2009 - 3:27pmAnd one for general self help in mental health. http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_psychology_16_keys.php
Hope this is helpful to some.
"Bipolar disorder is known for its ups and downs. But does it go beyond the typical person's up-and-down feelings during life...?"
If it didn't go beyond the typical ups-and-downs, why on earth would it be known for it? Otherwise a decent article but not too useful for bipolar patients I'm afraid.
November 27, 2009 - 6:28amOk . I have had atypical responses to bipolar drugs but here is the information for anyone reading this.
For unknown reasons many people who are bipolar respond to anticonvulsents. I tried some of these and found one that made me angry, angry with mean attached to it. I realized that it would make me prone to fight with people so I stopped immeadiatly. On the other hand I hand a great experience with the drug lamictal. Atypical but great. Calm as could be not drugged but calm with a photographic memory. Then I discovered I was allergic to the drug. All attempts at adjustment failed. This was the kind of reaction that could lead to,in the worst case death so I regrettably had to stop taking that. This was disheartening for I had felt a bit cheated since it not only helped the illness it improved brain function.
What did work were off label approaches. I try to stay up to date on paers dealig with treatment and discovered that the drug Provigil was being found effective (phase 2 testing on it's sister drug nuvigil) for bipolar depression. It proved usefull. I now get it from Canada (my insurance company will not pay for it and in the USA it is about 10.50 a pill I pay 1/10th of that for a Canadian version) and take about 1/4 of the usual dose.
Try a drug called Deplin (get samples via your Dr.) This is interesting. Deplin (Google to it's webpage). Yet another drug my insurance company will not pay for) Is l methyfolate which is what is produced inthe final step of our body processing folate. Supposedly 20-50% of people have varying degrees of difficulty proccesing folate. low folate leads to problems with neurochemicals in the brain. I was the first person, now my Dr. has several patients using it. I halved my doses of certain drugs after taking this.
On th OTC side I take l tyrosine 3x a day ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. This raises dopamine in the brain. IF you take it with food it is ineffective.
NAC or n acetyl cysteine has also been found to be effective I take 600mg a day do not take over 1200mg.
You can get this from the big online vitamin companies like Puritan or Swansons.The other benefits of the last two items is that they lower homo cysteine where high levels are associated with cardio problems and perhaps alzheimers.
I also take a low dose of wellbutrin xl 150mg once a day.
All the ssri antidepressants did not work for me.
I am hopeful that one day better diagnosis and a cure will be found until then I have to do what works for me.
As far as people who think it is not real Bi polar illness and schizophrenia have been found to be geneticly related.
I might also suggest looking into psycho therapy such as cognitive therapy because with this illness you probably are going to pick up some "baggage" on the way.
Best of luck to all.
November 27, 2009 - 7:21amThere is a new drug, called Rilutek, that is quite similar to Lamictal (in action, blocking glutamate) and that works well for depression. It does not have the problems like Lamictal with allergy/skin reactions, and it seems to work quite well in early trials.
It is quite expensive tough.
November 28, 2009 - 4:42pmOk two things the first person above is obviously angry over having or knowing someone who has the illness. It is not an easy thing to cope with and I certainly have been very angry about it but anger does not help it.I would suggest that it not deter one from seeking help. As an example. Twenty percent of bipolar people take lithium with good affect. For them that is all that is needed.
The person who suggested different approaches to ones activities has provided very useful information and although it will not cure bipolar disorder it sounds to me like it would go far in increasing the quality of one's life.
November 27, 2009 - 7:27am