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.
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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.
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.
I 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.
I 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.
One 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
And one for general self help in mental health. http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_psychology_16_keys.php
Hope this is helpful to some.