Bipolar Disorder - Myths And Facts

There are a lot of different untruths, and misinformation online and off, about bipolar disorder. While most of this information is harmless, a couple of them really are problems, so this article contains some of the most common questions, myths and answers to

Myth: bipolar disorder isn't manic depression

Fact: Bipolar disorder is just another term for manic depression. Typically people with depression are referred to as unipolar (as in they only go to one extreme, or 'pole') and people with bipolar disorder (manic depression) have two extremes or 'poles'. Bipolar disorder is further characterized by grades, dependent on the severity of your mood swings and whether there are some other characteristics alongside them.

Myth: You can diagnose bipolar disorder with a blood test

Fact: Not that I know of. Bipolar disorder does not have markers, and though there is some evidence of genetics being able to keep track of what is going on, the human genome mapping project is a long way from finished so, though its technically possible to point to the markers on a dna profile, mass testing is a long way off.

Myth: Bipolar disorder is easy to diagnose

Fact: Bipolar disorder, like most other mental health issues, is easy to diagnose given time, and a specialist's attention. Its not always easy, but the best place to go, if you suspect you are bipolar, or have any other mental health concerns is to go speak to a doctor. They can, at least, give you the first path to help.

Myth: Bipolars are easy to spot/can't hold down a job

Fact: Where it's true that it's easier to tell if we are different when we are at one of our extremes, not every bipolar gets really hyper or really depressed. Some of us are as 'normal' as the rest of the world. And if the bipolar disorder is under control then it's not that hard to hold down a job. Like everything else it's dependent on both our triggers and our control over ourselves.

Myth: Bipolars have an excuse for 'bad' behaviour.

Fact: We are just as in control of our reactions as most others, most of the time. Bipolar disorder isn't any more of an excuse for rudeness than having a bad day, PMT or sleep problems. Sometimes our control is a bit stretched, especially in times of stress and difficulty, but the fact of the matter remains that we cannot excuse our bad behavior any more than anyone else.

Myth: Bipolars aren't aware of how they should behave

Fact: Like I said above, Bipolars are no different to people that deal with depression or anything else. We DO have an extra component, but that just makes most of us 'faster'. When we are at one of our extremes we can be slightly more difficult to relate to and interact with, but we are inherently 'normal'.

Myth: Moods don't mix and it's very easy to judge where someone will be based on what they've been saying and doing.

Fact: Some people are very stable bipolars. Some people however, medicated or not, are not stable. These people do need help and support until they find their feet.

Myth: You cannot get pregnant if you are bi-polar

Fact: I'm the mother of two children, though admittedly they didn't realize I was bipolar till after I had my eldest child. It is true however, that some of the medication they use to control bipolar disorder are very dangerous and not suitable for use when pregnant. It's always best to discuss any plans that would affect your medication with your doctor or other professional health care official.

Bipolar disorder hasn't been fully investigated, and isn't understood like depression. It IS caused by a chemical imbalance. What is harder to determine is why it happens and whether it's a genetic inheritance or a fault at the level of DNA that sometimes occurs. Bipolars are usually medicated, because severe mood swings can be incredibly disruptive, and sometimes dangerous

There is a lot of work to go into the effective tracking of this disease, and a lot more understanding needs to start, as most of the misconceptions about bipolar disorder cause many misunderstandings and gaps in knowledge. The battles against this need to start at grass roots level; encouragement and support from the community and the spread of understanding is a must.

Bipolar Disorder Test

Are you trying to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder? If so, you need to know what bipolar disorder test you should be going for.

For a start, there are a few ways you can get a diagnosis. You can do it through a professional diagnosis or a self-questionnaire. Before you make your choice, do note that this mental illness can be difficult to diagnose.

In fact, it has been estimated at up to 70% of patients with such mental disorders have gotten at least one inaccurate psychiatric assessment. Sometimes the time between the appearance of the first symptoms and the time an accurate diagnosis is received can take more than ten years.

It is not easy to diagnose bipolar disorder as it is easily mistaken as depression. The mania and hypomania are often overlooked as just ordinary emotions. Other common misdiagnoses include schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.

That said, it also means that while you can use questionnaires and screening tools, you should not rely on it alone to make a diagnosis. These tools can be found easily online and they merely help to rule in or out whether someone has the likelihood of the illness.

At this time, you may be wondering if there is a lab test that can determine if one has bipolar disorder. Unfortunately the answer is no. While there has been active research on this mental illness, there is presently no lab test to do that. Of course, things may change as there are many exciting advances in the field of brain research.

There is definitely bipolar disorder test you can make use of but do note that getting an accurate diagnosis is important so do seek professional medical help if you are unsure.

The Signs of Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that most people do not understand or know about. Bipolar disorder by itself is a condition in which its sufferers cycle between two poles of mental instability; mania and depression. Rapid cycling bipolar occurs when the sufferer shifts quickly between the two states with little to no warning.

Because it is one of the most serious forms of bipolar disorder the prognosis for anyone afflicted with rapid cycling bipolar disorder is not always good. The mental health and brain function of people with this condition is highly compromised because of the rte at which they go from mania to depression and back again. Treating this condition is also difficult because the medications used for mania a depression are different and can actually make the symptoms worse.

The only way to get an accurate diagnosis for rapid cycling bipolar disorder is to have a full mental health evaluation done by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. A licensed mental health professional can do the necessary tests and see if the symptoms presented are indeed bipolar disorder. In order to make a rapid cycling diagnosis the patient will have to meet the standards set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders IV-TR which states that the patient must have at least four episodes of depression and mania/hypomania in a one year period.

Some people with rapid cycling bipolar disorder are asymptomatic, meaning they have periods when they exhibit neither of the cycles associated with this disorder. This does not diminish their need to effectively deal with their condition because when the mania and depression do hit it can be severe enough to be life threatening.

The more troubling side of this disorder is those who have little to no time between normalcy and a depressive or manic episode. Without proper mental health help people who suffer from this extreme can be a danger to themselves and others.

It is also likely that those who suffer from rapid cycling bipolar disorder will also partake in risky behavior. There sense of right and wrong is sometimes not as it should be and they are willing to take chances with their health and well being. Drug and alcohol abuse is not out of the question particularly for those who like to self medicate. This can actually make the symptoms much worse and cause the cycling between the two extremes to happen at an even faster pace.

You can find out more about rapid cycling bipolar disorder on the internet or at your local library. There is a wealth of information out there to help those who suffer from this disease but it is important that if you or someone you know may have this disorder that the first and best place to get help is from licensed mental health professional. That is the only way to get the treatment that will effectively deal with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and allow its sufferers to live a more normal life.

Bipolar Disorder Type 2 - Everything You Need to Know

Bipolar type 2 is also known as bipolar 2 disorder or bipolar II disorder. It's mostly characterized by major depressive episode linked with hypomanic episode. It posses no manic episodes thus the symptoms of mania are minimal. Bipolar disorder type 2 has no psychotic features, eg. delusions and hallucinations like those possessed in bipolar type 1. However, its depressive episodes are deemed to be more frequent and intense leading to its under-diagnosis. Its hypomanic behavior characters harbor high-functioning capacities leading to a doctor or psychiatrist dealing with this disorder has a confident ambition of its treatment and diagnosis.

The common symptoms of bipolar 2 are:

• Major depressive mood episodes


• One vital hypomanic episode


• Traces of minimal manic episodes


• Loss in energy quantity


• Gain of weight as well as its loss


• Desperation by an individual


• Easily irritable over anything small or big


• Crying anyhow with no limits i.e. uncontrollable.


• Sleeplessness i.e. Lack of sleep


• Racing thoughts

Bipolar disorder type 2 is considered to be heredity but this is not the case since it is not directly passed from a generation to another. It comes about as a result of major factors e.g. genetic complexes, psychological and the environmental. In genetic complexes is where the disorder can be transmitted through genes. Stress can be a major contributor to bipolar disorder type 2 as it harbors major damages to the patient suffering from it.

Bipolar disorder type 2 can be managed or treated through the aid of medication mainly by usage of mood stabilizers. However, this treatment produces a less effect in the patient. SSRI antidepressants can be used by some patients in the treatment of bipolar disorder type 2 but with a lot of caution because of the various manic symptoms harbored by each individual. Non-medicated therapies can be used to other patients during its treatment, eg: the psychodynamic therapy, social rhythm therapy, interpersonal therapy, behavioral therapy and family-focused therapy.

More so, during bipolar type 2 medications or healing process, a relapse can occur even with its continued medications and therapies which prompt a patient or individual to stay strictly on the instructions provided by the doctor or psychiatrist. Those having manic manifested symptoms of lesser signs can be administered with drugs e.g. zyprexa or olanzapine which have small effects. In the treatment of bipolar disorder type 2, a patient needs to take the medication prescribed in a cautious manner to prevent any repercussions re-occurring during the medication.

Bipolar Disorder - The First Steps to Managing It

Bipolar disorder, you have just been diagnosed with it. So what do you need to know about it? The short answer is that you best learn as much as you can about it. You should know all about a depressive disorder. You would also need to know what a manic episode involves. Indeed, knowledge of a hypomanic episode would be extremely useful. There are very good reasons this knowledge is essential. If you wish to manage bipolar disorder this level of knowledge is a key to achieving that objective.

Knowledge you gain about bipolar disorder enables you to learn to manage the disorder. By managing your disorder you give yourself the best possible odds for regaining control of your life. Normally this disorder goes in cycles. By this I mean that each person has a regular pattern they follow for each of their cycles. For instance take a person with bipolar type 1. A common pattern for this is hypomanic episode - manic episode - depressive episode. This is frequently followed by a period of stability.

A hypomanic episode can be treated far easier than an episode of mania. This being said there is often a danger in respect of hypomania. The danger is simply this. Many people find that the pluses of a hypomanic episode outweigh the minuses. The result is that they fail to acknowledge that a hypomanic is being experienced. Another possibility is that they fail to seek treatment for the hypomania. The unfortunate result is that a manic episode arrives. These are far harder to treat than hypomanic episodes.

The good old saying "What goes up must come down" certainly applies in respect of an episode of mania. Often these are followed by a depressive disorder. Bipolar type 2 and cyclothymaic's disorder do not normally lead to mania. However, it is very likely that a depressive disorder will follow hypomania. For a person with bipolar, type 2 the depression can last for a very long time. This can be months, or even longer.

In my experience recovering from depression often only occurs when the afflicted person tries to make it happen. By this I mean that they must want to recover and make a strong personal effort to ensure that they do. Remember, not all people cycle from mania to depression. By learning about the disorder the afflicted person (or their friends and lovers) can recognize any bipolar episode at the earliest possible moment. For some people their cycle starts with a depressive disorder.

Whichever order their cycle runs seeking professional help is a must. This should be done at the first moment you suspect that a bipolar episode is being experienced. This gives the best possible chance of managing the disorder. In turn the best chance of regaining control of the afflicted person's life is experienced.

Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression Explained

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression is a mental illness in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme euphoria. However, Bipolar or manic-depressive illness is much more complex than just alternating between depression and elation. Bipolar disorder affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions, behavior and even affects how a person feels physically (known clinically as Psychosomatic Presentations). Bipolar disorder has been subcategorized as Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Bipolar NOS, and Cylcothymia, depending on the type and severity of the mood episodes experienced.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as the DSM-IV because it is in its fourth major edition) indicates that Bipolar Disorder is defined by the occurrence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood (clinically known as mania) or mixed episodes often accompanied by depressive episodes. These episodes are commonly separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some cases, depression and mania may rapidly alternate (rapid cycling). Extreme manic episodes may lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Bipolar Symptoms

Mania/Hypomania:

Mania often begins with a sense of heightened energy, creativity, and social ease; these feelings can quickly progress to an extreme and continuous elevated mood involving an exaggerated sense of self-esteem and/or irritable mood. When in this state, individuals become more physically active, talkative, easily distracted, and show a reduced need for sleep. In most cases, people aren't aware that anything is wrong and may also enjoy the feeling mania brings. Judgment becomes impaired resulting in greater risk-taking behavior including overspending and sexual activity. In sever cases, the person may also hallucinate or become delusional; this is known as a psychotic episode.

Depression:

Depressive symptoms are intense, pervasive, persistent. Feelings may include:

* despair

* hopelessness

* frustration

* anger

* irritability

* worthlessness

* guilt

* loss of energy

* limited interest in normal activities

* changes in weight

* difficulties with sleep

* slowed thinking

* difficulty in making simple decisions

* and in serious cases, thought of suicide

Bipolar Treatment

There is not one simple answer to treating Bipolar disorder. Effective treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of many things.

* Education: Understanding bipolar disorder is essential. Individuals must educate themselves of its general signs and symptoms so they can better identify and understand their moods. Learning about treatment and triggers is a critical part of illness self-management. With this knowledge, people with Bipolar disorder and their families are better equipped to prevent future relapses.

* Medication: Bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, and therefore, people require medication as a form of long term treatment. Most people need a number of medications to manage their symptoms and maintain wellness. Finding the right "cocktail" of medications can take several months, or even several years, before finding a successful combination. It is crucial that this process is closely monitored and discussed with a psychiatrist. There may be a strong urge to discontinue use of medication when feeling better; the majority of the time this behaviour leads to a relapse. The main categories of medication used include the following: mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medication.

* Psychotherapy & Support Groups Psychotherapy and support groups are highly recommended, especially during the first year or two following diagnosis; this, in combination with medication greatly increases your chances of finding a stable healthy life style. Both professional and peer support provide insight in the form of personal stories, effective treatments, and coping strategies. Knowing you are not alone is effective treatment in itself.

Bipolar and Stigma Many people delay seeking help and treatment for bipolar disorder because they fear being labeled as crazy, dangerous, or even contagious; they fear what friends, family, and employers might think. There is still a social stigma attached to having a mental illness, but social attitudes are gradually changing. One of the most challenging aspects of stigma, following diagnosis, is self-stigma. This internal stigma results in believing devaluing attitudes and blaming oneself for the illness. Some strategies to counteract stigma include better understanding what stigma is and how it affects people, as well as sharing experiences and coping strategies within peer support groups.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms - How To Identify The Signs

Bipolar disorder also known as manic-depressive illness can have serious consequences on the sufferer's life as well as those around them. The patient needs constant attention either from their treating psychiatrist, close friends and family.

In America, there are approximately two million people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Yet, most of them are unaware that anything is wrong. Symptoms begin to show out during adolescence or early adulthood in most of the cases. There is nothing to worry about because bipolar is a treatable disease. People need to know how to recognize the different symptoms to get the proper treatment after the diagnosis.

Being down and depressed does not necessarily occur in bipolar patients. Their moods go up and down and switch between extreme highs and extreme lows and yes this mood swing is hard to establish. It is often times difficult for the patient to cope with the ever-changing mood swings.

Always expect the worst when it comes from patients who suffer this disease, patients can sometimes commit suicide. They feel that suicide is their only answer to solving this

disease. It is important to calling 911 in cases such as this.

Lifetime treatments and medications is necessary to building and keeping the strong support group the sufferer has. Really though the first step for achieving success is learn the basics about how to spot the symptoms of the disorder.

Five Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

- It is easy to spot manic episodes. The most recognizable factor is the increase in the level of energy and a high mood. This can be seen in the early stages. It is recognizable after the depression has been in place for so long and the patient is suddenly happy and excited. Other things to can give clues are the need to spend money on shopping sprees, concentration loss and sex drive increase.

- Depression can be spotted easily but it can be misread as just a bad day. If the depression lasts well into an extended period of time it is an obvious sign of bipolar disorder. Lack of interest which were once enjoyed by the person, such as games and hobbies, can be taken as a sign of bipolar disorder.

- In serious cases of bipolar, mood swings can be displayed as psychosis symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. The sufferer may be unaware of this symptom but it is easily recognizable to those around him.

- When a sufferer is in a mixed state, it means they are suffering from both depression and mania at the same time. This can lead to lack of sleep, agitation and appetite changes. Those with this type of bipolar can become depressed even if they are experiencing a high energy level.

- Morbid thoughts are the most intense and horrifying part of bipolar. Most people tend to ignore this thinking if I do, it will go away.

If suicide seems possible, dial 911 when you need it to keep the worst from happening.

It is important to realize and keep in mind that knowing the symptoms of this disease and understanding it can reveal the true nature of it. Improper diagnosis or rather no diagnosis means the sufferer is prolonged to extreme bouts and possibly committing suicide later on. Even if the person sees a physician for their depression, they may not talk about the mania side of the disorder. Do not forget that bipolar is a debilitating disease that can be treated in order to live a productive and healthy lifestyle.

Bipolar Treatment - 3 Steps to Successfully Managing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar treatment can be an arduous process for anyone suffering from this mental illness. Bipolar disorder has no cure at this time, and the causes are not completely known. Nevertheless, with a few simple steps it is possible to maintain control of the mood swings and depression, as well as your life.

Before even looking into the steps there is one prerequisite, the desire to get better. Without it, attempting treatment is a lost cause.

Step 1

The first step necessary to overcome the symptoms of bipolar disorder is to learn. Bipolar disorder is very complex and each individual case is different. This means to receive effective treatment you must have an understanding of the disease and how it is affecting YOU. The more you are aware of, and understand, what exactly is going on with your condition, the easier it will be to diagnose and treat.

Step 2

The next step is to get medicated. A wide range of medication is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. These consist of mood stabilizers anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. This is without a doubt the hardest step in bipolar treatment. Since there are so many combinations of medicine used in treatment, and the medicines themselves take weeks to start working, it could take months or more to find the right mix for each individual.

When you visit your doctor, make sure to be as descriptive as possible about things like frequency and severity of mood swings, behavioral changes, and thought processes. This will give a better chance of finding the right medication faster.

Step 3

The third step is to get counseling, or group therapy. This allows you to gain more insight into bipolar treatment, and helps develop coping and management skills that are crucial to taking control of this illness. Besides the added comfort of not going through it alone, it helps to discuss your condition and how you are working to manage it whether it is with a professional or others with firsthand experience.

Bipolar treatment is a lifelong process, and all of these steps are imperative to success. Without knowing what you are up against, you cannot possibly fight it. Medication will help control the episodes of depression and mania, but they will never completely go away. Counseling will teach you the necessary skills to maintain control during these episodes when they do happen. All the pieces have to go together.

The reason most people fail at treatment is simply not taking all the necessary steps. If you have read this far, you no longer have a reason to be one of the people who do not get better. You and your loved ones need not suffer any longer should you just take action.

Dealing With Bipolar Disorder - What You Should Know

Dealing with bipolar disorder is not easy and it requires a lot of hard work, patience and making the right choices for successful treatment. Life can be hard sometimes and to people with this disorder feel like giving up on life and this has a negative effect on their lives. They end up not being able to function normally and their judgment is also impaired. In some extreme cases, it has been fatal because suicide thoughts are very common for people suffering from bipolar disorder.

To successfully treat this disease requires a combination of both proper medication and therapy. Dealing with bipolar disorder is easy when medication and therapy is properly administered by a professional psychiatrist or doctor with training and knowledge of this disorder. It is believed that psychological and external environment factors are what trigger episodes. With therapy, you are able to know this factors and how to prevent them from developing. Lithium is one of the drugs used for treating this disease. But there many drugs for stabilizing moods that can be used to treat this disease. Anti-depressants are also given to the patient but they are not advisable to use in the long term.

What is important when dealing with bipolar disorder is informing yourself about this disease. By doing so, you will read about what you are experiencing and this will help you seek treatment effectively in the long run. After diagnosis and medication, never stop taking your medication even when you are feeling better. This will prevent a relapse of the episodes from happening frequently. Medication only is not enough to treat this disease; addition to medication should be therapy and changing your lifestyle. This will help you change your view of things and reduce stress that develops into depression.

If you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid stress, you reduce the chance of suffering from this disorder. A psychiatrist will help you over come your fears and provide you with strategies on how to avoid stress to become a happier person and at peace with your environment and yourself. Therapy and medication in most cases has been successful. A combination of these two has helped individuals continue having normal lives filled with happiness. Do not ignore this disorder for long because it will certainly get worse than it is. Another thing is to avoid abusing stimulant drugs and alcohol to avoid complicating this disorder further. Dealing with bipolar disorder is a process which requires support of family and friends to the patient for successful treatment.

Mixed Bipolar Disorder - The Two Types Of The Disease

Mixed bipolar disorder is classified into two types. The type which is known as a mixed state is when both the symptoms of depression and of mania are present simultaneously; the other is rapid cycling. Each presents its own unique set of difficulties; and each requires its own mode of treatment.

Mixed State Classification

In the first form, manic behavior is accompanied by a depressed mood state. This seemingly illogical combination requires intense treatment, as either intermittent or ongoing psychosis and suicidal tendencies can also be present. Difficulties in sleeping, erratic appetite, rapid and inappropriate mood swings, and general agitation are also included in this form of mixed bipolar disorder.

Rapid Cycling

The classification of rapid cycling is given when a person has four or more episodes during a twelve-month period. The severity of the symptoms differ from person to person, and often also from episode to episode. At its worst, there can be clear mood shifts within a one or two-day period.

The erratic nature of both of these forms of mixed bipolar disorder obviously makes this condition quite difficult to deal with, and also more difficult to treat than other forms of this condition. While the ensuing difficulty is to a great extent influenced by the fluctuations of the symptoms themselves, it also should be noted that mixed bipolar disorder frequently does not respond as well to medication as the other types of bipolar disorder. These factors make careful psychiatric supervision absolutely essential.

Difficulty In Coping

The other reason for a person who has mixed bipolar disorder to be under competent care is that this particular form of bipolar poses the most significant degree of general life problems. Logically, when a person is afflicted with either simultaneous manic and depressive symptoms or the rapid cycling, the inconsistency can make coping with everyday life very difficult, and often has a very negative effect on a person's ability to function properly. Not only is this difficult in itself, it can also lead the person to be hesitant in asking for help.

The best course of action in regard to mixed bipolar disorder is for the patient to receive assistance in learning and applying coping skills, in addition to his medication. It is also important that the people in his everyday life be understanding of his particular difficulties. Depending on the individual, the special characteristics of mixed bipolar disorder can range from mildly impairing his general functioning to being completely debilitating.

Avoid Enabling Behavior

Family members, especially, need to learn the difference between being helpful and understanding, and enabling, as the more the patient can be reasonably expected to do for himself the better it will be for him, his self-esteem, and his overall quality of life.

One good idea toward assisting the patient in making the most of his life is if his family members can be directly informed by his mental health practitioner of his prognosis and the best methods of personal interaction. Living with mixed bipolar disorder is not easy, but with adequate treatment and coping skills it can be much better.

What Is Bipolar Depression?

In this article I'm going to describe the symptoms of bipolar depression and describe for you exactly what it is. When you better understand this you'll be in a position to cope better or help someone with this disorder.

I'd guess that the reason you're reading this is either you think you may have bipolar depression or you know someone who seems to have it. Read on for some of the answers.

There are many forms of depression and this particular type is especially difficult to cope with.

Let's get down to the symptoms first and try to makes things a bit clearer for you.

So what is bipolar depression exactly?

Bipolar refers to two opposites like the North and the South Pole are at opposite ends of the world. So, too, a sufferer of bipolar depression swings from a good to a bad mood. Constant ups and downs. These mood swings change between extreme happiness (called mania) and depression.

In short it is a mood disorder. Someone suffering from this form of depression will have manic episodes. What are they?

A manic episode is a sudden change of mood to an unusually high state. Some of the symptoms are:

*lots of energy yet little sleep

*restlessness

*inflated sense of self esteem

*talking too much in a stressed way

*increased desire for sex

*spending sprees

*thoughts that don't slow down or stop

*unreasonably exaggerated plans or claims

*irritability and aggressive behavior

*easily distracted by small things

The best thing you can do if you observe these symptoms in yourself or someone you know is see a doctor. We all suffer from some of these symptoms and so it is important to get help if the symptoms are serious enough to affect daily life or relationships.

Bipolar Disorder - You Need to Know

Bipolar Disorder or commonly known as manic depression is a psychological disorder that renders the person to have extreme mood shifts that usually affects their day to day tasks. Bipolar disorder symptoms usually focuses on mood and behavioral changes. There are two categories of bipolar disorder symptoms that makes the person feel an extreme emotional state also known as "mood episode" - manic episode and depressive episode. According to National Institute of Mental Health, Manic episode is a bipolar symptom that occurs on a distinct period when the person feels overly joyful and "high", it usually manifests for a few days or longer.

Meanwhile, a Depressive episode is a kind of bipolar symptom when the person feels utterly hopeless and sad, usually accompanied by a cloud of confusion that also lasts for weeks. Together with this mood episode, behavioral changes is also eminent, people in their manic episode is agitated, jumpy, impulsive and irritable. Usually feeling they are on the top of the world with unrealistic expectations and beliefs. They are restless. On the other hand, people in their depressive episode frequently feels confusion and ponders death and suicide. They have a hard time concentrating and only focuses on the bad side of every situation. It is possible that people with bipolar disorder to experience this mood change on unstable period of times, symptoms are sometimes severe that they are incapable to function in work and school; and it can also damage relationships.

In order to diagnose a mental disorder, doctors use Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, or DSM as their guideline. According to DSM, there are four types of bipolar disorders - Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified ( BD-NOS ) and Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolar I Disorder is defined when the person has manic episode lasting for seven days.; or by manic symptoms that are severe that it needs immediate hospital care. Bipolar II Disorder is a back and forth pattern of depressive episode and hypomania. Those who suffer from hypomanic episodes has increased energy and activity levels that results to become highly productive and for them to function well. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is when a person has the symptoms for the illness but does not really meet the criterion for bipolar I and II. Lastly, Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. It is usually distinguished with mild depression and hypomania that lasts for two years.

This illness manifests for a lifetime, though it can be controlled. It is a recurrent and lifelong illness that needs lifelong treatment. It will worsen over time when not treated seriously. With proper treatment and diagnosis, it can lead the person to have a normal, healthy and productive life. Proper Treatment can help reduce the severity of the disorder and it can also prevent frequent manifestation to the person. The proper treatment plan is to take medication and engage in psychotherapy. There is still hope all it needs is the correct treatment and the unfailing support of their loved ones.

Bipolar Disorder History - How the Ancient Greeks Discovered Manic Depression

Bipolar disorder is theorized to be an evolutionary adaptation to colder climates, therefore it should come as no surprised that this illness has a recorded history going back 2000 years. It used to be that everyone who wasn't normal was just called crazy or they may have been considered to be possessed by evil spirits, as mental illnesses weren't well understood long ago.

The words "depression" and "mania" have their origins in Ancient Greek, and by 100 AD Ephesus, a Greek historian, described depression and mania linked into one disease. It was not until 1025 that Avicenna, who was a Persian physician, identified a number of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and mania.

With the stigma of mental disorder, any research into this illness largely went unnoticed. After all, most individuals didn't want to be classified as mentally insane, and most would have considered mental illnesses to be a flaw in moral character.

For this reason, biphasic mental illness was not rediscovered until 1854, by the French doctor Jules Baillarger, who described the differences between mania and depression, and how they shifted in persons with the illness.

Emil Kraepelin was a German psychiatrist and the first to term the illness "manic depressive psychosis." He observed patients with periods of extreme depression and mania, intermixed with periods that were symptom free.

It was not until 1948 that a treatment plan was devised for bipolar disorder. Lithium carbonate was developed by Dr. John Cade of Melbourne, Australia, offering hope to those suffering from a disease that had been stigmatized for thousands of years.

Why Bipolar Disorder Can Be So Dangerous

There is nothing abnormal about having days with ups and downs. Most people have a middle ground to come back to after dealing with good and bad days.

Those who suffer with Bipolar disorder (manic depression) do not have the luxury of finding a middle ground. They constantly find themselves on one end of the spectrum or the other. They can spend days to weeks feeling on top of the world only to immediately fall off a cliff and enter a depressive phase that makes it difficult to get out of bed for weeks at a time.

A manic episode can be either a minor state of elation and happiness or involve extreme ideas. For example, an extreme manic episode might cause someone to sell their house and max out their credit cards because they think they are destined to become a pharoah in Egypt. To the person having a manic episode these ideas would seem completely attainable. Their optimistic attitude and huge reserve of energy might be contagious to those who are close to them.

Some individuals who suffer with Bipolar disorder have to deal with episodes that include anger, agitation and restlessness. After they go through this range of emotion they drop like a brick into a severely depressed state.

If you think that you are dealing with the symptoms of Bipolar disorder then you should arrange an appointment with a psychiatrist. Make sure that you take someone with you to the appointment so that they can help to describe what you are going through. The best choice will be someone who is around you a lot such as a family member or close friend. The doctor will want a detailed history of your symptoms and might order some tests to make sure there are no drugs in your system.

One of the biggest problems that comes from Bipolar disorder is that the person who is affected does not notice the shifts in mood. When they are having a manic phase they think that everything is great and do not want to give up the euphoric feelings that they are experiencing. Therefore, it is important for family members to help them find medical care to treat their episodes.

There are many medications that are effective in the treatment of Bipolar disorder. Lithium, Depakote, Zyprexa and Seroquel are among the most popular ones. You will need to work closely with your psychiatrist to determine which one works best for you. Chances are you will have to try different ones at different strengths to determine which one makes a good match. Do not fool yourself into thinking you are better after being on a medication for awhile. If you choose to discontinue the medication you will likely fall right back into a destructive path.

All About Bipolar Disorder - What it is and How Can You Tell If a Person is Suffering From It

Bipolar disorder is a manic depressive illness that occurs due to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. As a result, the sufferer will have unusual shifts in energy, mood and ability to function.

This is very different from what normal people go through, as the symptoms of anyone suffering from this type of disorder are very severe. People who are unable to manage it will have difficulty in maintaining relationships, finding a job and excelling in school.

Studies show that there are about 5.7 million Americans or 2.6% of the total population at different age levels that have bipolar disorder. This may begin during childhood while some may develop it later on in life.

This may happen to adults who are either alcohol or drug dependent but this has occurred frequently in people with seasonal depression and certain anxiety disorders like PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder.

According to the World Health Organization, bipolar disorder is considered to be the 6th most disabling illness.

The chemical imbalance mentioned earlier is caused by a complex set of factors. Some say genetics plays a role because 60% of patients have had someone in the family with this disorder. Until now, scientists have only been able to identify 4 genes that are associated with this disorder. More studies need to be done to determine if the environment also has a role.

So how can you tell if a person is suffering from bipolar disorder? This can easily be determined by looking at the person's behavior. Some of these symptoms include increased activity or restlessness, extreme irritability; the person is easily distracted, uses poor judgment, engages in spending sprees, denies that there is nothing wrong, increased sexual drive, little sleep needed and signs of aggressive behavior.

Bipolar Affective Disorder - Medication and Healthy Lifestyle Habits

As a person with bipolar affective disorder, also known as manic depression or bipolar disorder, you must know how important it is to self-manage your mood swings with your medication and lifestyle habits.

Bipolar disorder will keep your mood swinging between bouts of depression, to excited periods of mania and relative calm all in continuing cycles of varying periods.

For most individuals, this would probably be a lifelong fight and treatment which would be in form of medication.

The truth is: there is no form of treatment that can have fast and effective action as pharmaceutical drugs. Medication for bipolar disorder has been around for a while, and there is a wide variety to choose from including klonopin, xanax, carbamazepin, largactil, and much more. Most times, a combination of drugs is used, for instance, to help with sleep and to check side effects. You must realize that your body needs to get used to these drugs; therefore, give the treatment some time and report any unwanted side effects to your doctor.

Behavioral therapy is also a good treatment option - especially in combination with drugs. You need to learn about how your mind works as a bipolar person and be informed as to what life choices you should make. Behavioral therapy will keep you in tune with society, for instance; issues of sexuality can be addressed as well as how to cope with your relationships and daily activities.

Can diet have an effect on bipolar disorder?

Depending on what you eat - although there is no specific diet for the disorder - it is advisable that you eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Eat a balance of protective, nutritionally dense foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean (non fatty) meat. Exercise can be trying for people with bipolar disorder because of the drowsiness and long hours of sleep, but working out whenever you can, will help maintain your health and make you feel good.

Special foods that are of particular importance to a bipolar person include albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, salmon, and trout.

They contain fish oil like the omega-3 fatty acids and are associated with greater volume in areas of the brain especially areas related to mood and behavior.

Foods you should avoid include foods that may interact with specific bipolar medication. These are caffeine which can alter your mood and disrupt sleep, and diminish the effects of the medication, foods high in tyramine like banana, champagne, fermented cheese, liver, and soy sauce. This category of foods can cause severe hypertension when used with MAO inhibitors (a certain class of antidepressants). Grape fruit or its juice may cause excessive impairment and toxicity of some anticonvulsants. And of course, alcohol is not advised. Not only will it interact with the medication, but according to the National Institute of Medical Health, people with bipolar disorder are five times more likely to develop alcohol misuse and dependency.

Bipolar Disorder - What is Bipolar Disorder and What Are the Symptoms?

What is bipolar disorder, and how can it affect you? That's what we'll discuss in this article. Specifically, we will cover different symptoms, as they relate to diagnosis criteria, as well as different processes for treating bipolar disorder. After reading this article, you should have the exact answer to the question -- what is bipolar disorder?

When your mood has recurring episodes of significant fluctuating disturbance, you might have bipolar disorder. Typically, these disturbances come from changing states of crippling depression, to extreme happiness -- often referred to as mania. Manic depression is another term for bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is divided by classification into three different areas -- bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia. Bipolar I refers to a disturbance in moods with at least one manic episode. Bipolar II includes both a hypomanic episode, which literally translates to below mania, and an episode of major depression, often accompanied by a lack of appetite, intense fatigue, and disturbances and sleep pattern.

Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar II, only with a more mild disturbance in mood.

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed based on the patient's report of experiences, as well as those reported by family members and close friends, to a psychiatrist, social worker, or clinical psychologist, or other similar professional.

Bipolar disorder treatment does not focus on a cure, but on effective management of mood disorders and bipolar disorder episodes. In order to do this, a combination of medication and psychotherapy techniques are used. The most common form of medication that is prescribed, when dealing with bipolar disorder, is lithium. Also, sodium valproate and carbamazepine are also often prescribed to treat bipolar disorder.

Often the behavioral manifestations involved with bipolar disorder are not detected by the patient, family members, or even health professionals, for very long time. This means that some people suffer from bipolar disorder for years, before getting treatment. If you or someone you know has observed some of the symptoms described above, I would urge you to research the topic in more depth, to see if treatment might be needed.

In conclusion, I have given you a straightforward definition of what is bipolar disorder. Also, I have given you some ideas on possible treatments, as well classifications of the different kinds of bipolar disorder. Use this information to decide if bipolar disorder may be occurring in your life, or the life of someone you know. If so, take the necessary steps to get professional help, and a proper diagnosis.

Bipolar Disorder - After the Diagnosis

Now that you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, what is the next step? Well, by now, you should have been told the importance of the medication prescribed and why you must use it as well as visit your health care professional regularly. But it would be of much help for you to understand what the disorder is all about as that knowledge will enable you cope and manage your life effectively.

You should understand that what you know about bipolar disorder will help you; your relationships and your doctor ensure a stable and comfortable life for you. Lest to say, the more you know, the more you will be able to handle the complications associated with bipolar disorder, and the truth is: life with it can be very complex. It can totally devastate your life if you are afflicted with it.

Your relationships will definitely be affected as friends and loved ones will have to come to terms with your condition. You might not be able to control the highs and lows, but they can be managed; and you will be pleased to know that life doesn't have to be so difficult for you, your friends, and loved ones.

The first step to managing bipolar disorder is to accept that you have it, and try to live your life around it. The stigma that is associated with mental disorders isn't as high as it used to be; more and more people are speaking about having one form of disorder or the other. You certainly are not alone - but must come to a point where you stop your denials of your state, remove the doubts, and submit yourself to treatment.

You should have an understanding of words like manic episodes, hypomanic episodes, cyclothymanic disorder, rapid - cycling bipolar disorder, all related to this condition. They may all sound strange and unfamiliar; no one will go about telling people: "I don't feel well today, I think I am having a cyclothymanic episode." would they? Whatever knowledge you gain about bipolar disorder will ultimately help you regain control of your life.

Bipolar disorder normally comes in cycles - and by now you may have a little sense of the pattern your cycles follow. Patterns in some cases follow a hypomanic episode - manic episode - depressive episode, moving on to a normal mood state. Someone having an hypomanic episode usually doesn't seek treatment because this is a state of good feeling (high), but unfortunately, it doesn't last as depression often follows. This is characteristic of bipolar I disorder

Bipolar II disorder, on the other hand, doesn't normally result in mania. In this condition the depression can last for a long time, sometimes months.

Recovery from depression is up to the person: you simply must desire to recover. Bipolar disorder has the highest successful suicide rate and attempted suicide rate amongst mental disorders.

Someone going through successive moods of highs and lows can find this disturbing and a strain on his or her psychological fitness.

However, it can be managed and managed well. The greatest help will come from taking the medication as prescribed. If you forget your medication, it might help to set a timer or reminder on your computer.

Keep side effects at bay by talking to your doctor. Ask about ways to control side effects as the medication can make you sleepy or jittery. Most people with bipolar disorder need extra sleep - 8 to 10 or even 12 hours a day.

You can live a successful life even with bipolar disorder; you can regain control. It's in your hands.

The Bipolar Psychic

The most common psychiatric diagnosis among those with extraordinary psychic skills is Bipolar Disorder. Also known as manic depression, manic-depressive disorder and bipolar affective disorder, this diagnosis describes a category of mood disorders. In the case of many psychics, there are presences of a multitude of episodes of abnormally elevated mood throughout their lives. Moods bounce back and forth from major depression to times of mania or experience both emotions simultaneously.

Episodes of one mood or another can last days, months, even years at a time. In extreme cases, psychic can experience psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Depressive episodes are associated with distress and disruption leading to elevated risk of suicide. Manic episodes are associated with creativity, goal striving and positive achievements, though usually acted out without forethought or logical thinking.

Psychics tend to have mild to severe bipolar disorders throughout childhood and adulthood. Periods of heightened emotional stress can accelerate the disorder as well as increases in psychic sensitivity. Increased psychic sensitivity can lead to stronger and more frequent episodes just as periods of heightened emotional stress can increase psychic sensitivity. While this disorder may always be an underlying part of the psychic, there are treatments that can help bring the disorder into varying levels of control. Treatments include psychological based behavior therapy and stress management and psychiatric based medicative treatments. Psychics are encouraged to meditate on their psychic skill as a means to focus their transmission and reception of emotions as to spare themselves and others of unnecessary additional stress. Some psychics may find control through meditation via attempting to narrow the reception/transmission channel that they use to send and receive emotional packages of information. Ignoring a condition such as bipolar disorder will only lead to increased complications, sensitivity and frequency of episodes.

Common signs and symptoms of mania include:

* Feeling euphoric and optimistic or experience extreme irritability

* Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one's abilities or powers

* Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic

* Talking so rapidly that others can not keep up

* Racing thoughts

* Highly distractible, unable to concentrate

* Impaired judgment and impulsiveness

* Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences

* Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Bipolar disorder not only affects mood, but also energy level, judgment, memory, concentration, appetite, sleep patterns, sex drive, and self-esteem. Additionally, bipolar disorder has been linked to anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, migraines, and high blood pressure. Psychics with any degree of bipolar disorder can improve with treatment and lead normal lives.

Sources

* Dominic Lam, Kim Wright, Neil Smith (August 2002), "Dysfunctional assumptions in bipolar disorder." Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 79, Issue 1.

* National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Bipolar Disorder Treatments - 6 Effective Alternative Methods Of Treatment

Bipolar has many definitions, all of which can affect a person lot as well as their family. One of the definitions is that a person diagnosed with the bipolar disorder has alternating experiences of extreme elation coupled with deep depression. Another form of bipolar is Manic Depression which is characterised by episodes of deep depression, that is accompanied with one manic episode.

Bipolar disorder is said to affect a person's thought patterns, behaviour, feelings and their perception of things around them. Professional put this down to chemical imbalances and electrical elements of the brain, as it is not functioning normally. Others say that this is a mental illness which can run in the family, so people are more prone to getting this disorder if there is a medical history of bipolar disorder running in the family or any other mental illness.

Many types of medications are offered to bipolar patients, and not everyone is comfortable with having to take the daily doses continually for some time. There are those who prefer to supplement or to use alternative therapies which are deemed healthier than using prescribed medication.

1. Omega 3

Research shows that Omega 3 which is found in fish oils and in many other fishes is good for anyone with a mental illness and bipolar. One significant research involving 30 bipolar patients was conducted over four months. It was done to show comparisons of the efficacy of Omega 3 against olive oil or placebo for treating bipolar disorder. Researchers believe that this disorder is a neuropsychatric illness with high mortality and morbidity. They proved at their preliminary study that Omega 3 was much better in performance for longer remissions, as based on the symptom severity which is on four scales. Studies are continuous in the hope of finding new classes of the psychotropic compounds, so that they can be utilised as mood stabilisers to help sufferers.

2. Herbal

Herbal supplements are preferred by many people as an alternative to taking prescribed drug medications due to their beliefs, or as a healthy option. Not all herbs are ideal for treating bipolar disorder, as some herbs can in fact worsen the condition in a patient. Taken with some drugs, herbal supplements can have a harmful reaction. You should always consult your doctor before taking herbal medication with any other drugs.

3. Diet and Nutrition

For treating depression, holistic doctors will suggest that you use B-Complex, Magnesium and Thiamin as part of your diet. Organise your menus every day and check that you have adjusted your diet accordingly, so that your body receives the necessary nutrients to regain your good health again.

4. Counseling with your Pastor

Whatever your religion, if you are suffering from Bipolar Disorder, it is a good idea to talk to your vicar, pastor, priest or rabbi, rather than to a therapist. During difficult times, your religious community can be a great help at comfort. Spirituality and prayers are recognised by the community, and also as part of your medication and psychotherapy sessions.

5. Art Therapy

Joining in expressive therapies are especially good for those who mostly stay at home. Art helps you to express yourself freely without any inhibitions. You may want to enroll in classes like Drawing, Watercolours, Oil Painting, Sculpting and many other Arts. Look around locally to see what classes are available in art or expressive therapies.

For those who enjoy movement, there is dance therapy. Your cognitive, emotional and physical well being is catered for as your feet move into action and lift your spirits.

How about sound or music therapy? Listening to soothing music can help anyone relax. The chemical in your body will react so that your blood pressure, improves along with your breathing and pulse rate; and even your posture will change.

6. Traditional Medicine

For emotional, physical and spiritual well being there are traditional medicines, some of which are culturally based. These include Acupuncture, Yoga, Reiki, Shiatsu, Ayurveda, Qigong which are all popular examples of Healing Arts, based on the belief that any imbalance in your body will cause illness.

By combining all these alternative therapies and medications a person with bipolar may be treated effectively, and bring their body back into balance by nature. You should always consult a doctor if you encounter any problems, and any prescribed medication should be continued with unless it is making you worse in which case, a doctor will change course. Your doctor will be able to advise you on alternative medicines.

Bipolar Disorder in Babies and Young Children

Bipolar disorder is a stipulation that is often diagnosed only in teens and adults. However, the're rising instances of children and babies being diagnosed as bipolars. As a matter of fact, there are growing up children who're currently being treated for this illness. When mood swings are to be expected as a result of this disorder, it can be quite a challenge for parents and caregivers to take care of a bipolar child.

Understanding bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a medical illness that is characterized by marked changes in temperament, behavior and mood swings. Bipolar disorder is also called as manic depression. It is a rather serious condition but it might be treated through medications and therapy.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

- irritability

- mood swings

- anger or rages

- destructive behavior

- separation anxiety

- melancholia

- no curiosity about play

- insomnia or difficulty in sleeping

- bed wetting

- nightmares

- restlessness and agitation

- extreme elation followed by extreme depression

- agitation

- cravings

- uncontrollable tantrums

The most key of treating and managing bipolar disorder is early diagnosis and intervention. The symptoms of this disorder can appear in infancy and bipolar babies might be checked early by a medical professional so the chasten treatment can be prescribed.

Is bipolar disorder common in babies?

The're no studies yet that will show how frequent the illness is among infants and youngsters. What's known, though, is that only as many as 2% of the adult population in the world have the disorder. It is in addition observed that children who have ADHD (attention deficit disorder) showed symptoms of bipolar as soon as possible in infancy.

Looking after the affairs of mood swings in bipolar babies

It is very important that a particular diagnosis is performed. Is so that any underlying conditions that may be causing the mood swings in the newborn child appears eliminated. This is because in a few cases, bipolar disorder can only be an element of a larger condition. A wrong diagnosis cannot only prevent an infant from getting the assist he/she deserves, his health could also be placed in jeopardy if medications that aren't appropriate for his condition are prescribed.

If bipolar disorder is indeed diagnosed, then it would be easier for the parents and the physician to discuss which types of treatments may be helpful for the child. It's important that parents understand the kind of demands expected from them when in comes to taking care of a bipolar baby. Therapies, medications, sure adjustments in diet and lifestyle, are merely some thing that they have to be mindful of.

Parents should likewise keep records of any improvements or distinct behavior in children throughout prescribed treatment period. During consultations with the physician, any new observations should be discussed.

Parents should in addition try to obtain updated information regarding bipolar disorder in babies. Apart from on the internet resources, there are likewise professional associations and groups that offer not just news, facts and statistics but also necessary support. Joining on the internet forums can in addition be helpful because many parents who have bipolar babies on their own frequently offer their private proactive advice, something that inexperienced parents will see valuable.

There's no reason why a bipolar baby suffering from mood swings at an adolescent age cannot age and become a healthy diet and regular exercise, fully functional adult. The chief is for parents to ensure early diagnosis and treatment and sufficient medical, emotional and physical support for the infant.

Am I Bipolar? - Testing Yourself for Bipolar Disorder

"Am I Bipolar?"- this is one perplexing question a person, constantly experiencing dramatic mood swings in each and every single day of his life, would like to answer. In a year, one percent of Americans with ages 18 and above suffer a manic-depressive illness called Bipolar Disorder. How does one really know if he or she suffers from Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, which is formerly called manic-depression, is a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that causes abnormal shifts in a person's everyday mood, liveliness, and capability to perform. The person experiencing such illness may feel very much ecstatic, then extremely bad-tempered an hour after and then back again to feeling overly ecstatic with a short span of normal mood in between both contrary tempers. "Am I Bipolar if get mood swings?" The answer is no. Since a condition such as Bipolar Disorder is seemingly different from a person experiencing the usual mood swings because in Bipolar Disorder, the symptoms are evidently severe. If such brain disorder is left untreated, it may lead to effects such as dreadful behaviors, inadequate performance in one's job/studies or worst; it may even lead to suicide.

World renowned painter, Vincent Van Gogh, who's Bipolar Disorder mysteriously made him even more creative; Hollywood actor/comedian, Ben Stiller, who was open to the public about his psychiatric condition; Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose Bipolar Disorder led him to a cocaine addiction and accusations of spousal abuse and author/actor Spalding Gray, whose suicidal death on the East River was allegedly caused by his dreadful psychiatric condition. The previously mentioned public figures are just some of the popular personalities who once asked the question, "Am I Bipolar?" Unfortunately, the answer to their question was "yes". Bipolar Disorder may have numerous unpleasant effects but through the appropriate treatment, people inflicted with such disease may lead fruitful and normal lives.

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by a series of highs and lows in one's mood. These highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Try to check if the following statements describe your day to day mental state to aid you in answering the question, "Am I Bipolar?" :

Indications of manic episodes

· I'm a very talkative person and I can utter a lot of words in a single minute.

· I am an extremely energetic person.

· I'm a compulsive shopper.

· I don't like to sleep.

· Family and friends have been telling me that I've been acting strange lately. I'm becoming a war freak, a loud talker and a very angry person.

· I feel sluggish most of the time.

· I want to have sex all the time.

· I can't concentrate on something for a long period of time.

· I feel like I'm the king of the world and I can do whatever I wish to do.

Indications of depression episodes

· I don't get pleasure doing the things that I've always loved to do.

· I have trouble sleeping at night.

· Whenever food is served on the table, I don't feel like eating.

· I have many aches and pains from the past that just won't go away.

· I lack energy when it comes to having sex.

· I lack focus.

· I'm a very absentminded person.

· Most of the time, I feel like eating something.

· People and things around me make me angry.

· I can't figure out why I feel disappointed and scared.

· I always feel gloomy.

· I'd rather be alone than talk to people.

· It's hard for me to get out of bed.

· I feel as if my existence on earth has no meaning and nothing desirable is going to happen to me.

· I hate myself.

· I've always thought about killing myself and the ways on how to do so.

Indications of Bipolar Disorder

· The highs and lows in my mood alternately repeat as the day progresses.

· My mood swings cause me household and job problems.

If most or all of these statements best describes your everyday mood in the duration of one week or more, a checkup with your psychologist might be a good idea since there's a big probability that you might be suffering a Bipolar Disorder. Besides, early detection and consistent treatment is the best way to win the battle against this lifelong illness.

Alcoholics Anonymous and Bipolar Disorder

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is a very well-known 12-Step program for alcoholics. However, people with mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, do not find as welcome a response as do people whose only problem is alcoholism.

A.A. meetings usually consist of closed discussions, where anonymous members participate by offering their opinions and/or feelings on either the specific topic chosen or any topic threatening their sobriety.

What happens when an A.A. member begins to talk about their alcoholism as it relates to their bipolar disorder, though?

Unfortunately, in most meetings, they are told that this is an "outside issue," and that they must talk only about their alcoholism.

Yet there are many people who suffer from both alcoholism and bipolar disorder and, if not allowed to discuss it in an A.A. meeting, where can they turn?

Part of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is to get a "sponsor." A sponsor is a person who will help the member through the 12 steps of the program, to help them stay sober, and to help them deal with the issues surrounding their alcoholism.

Hopefully, the member with bipolar can find a sponsor who is sensitive to the fact that the disorder is one of the issues that does, in fact, affect their sobriety.

Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous who have bipolar disorder have been able to connect with others who also have the disorder and, although not allowed to discuss it openly at meetings, have been able to find solace in discussing it among themselves.

Bipolar Disorder - The Prevalence in the United States

You will do well to learn all the symptoms of bipolar disorder that you can get your hands on. Must people who suffer from it are not even aware that they do and you may be the person to be able to tell them the truth. If you don't have a clue yourself, then you both are doomed to live life as the disease deems fit to bestow upon you.

Recognizing the presence of the abnormality called bipolar disorder is important to everyone involved. That would be the sufferer, the doctor treating them, the friends of the sufferer, and their family members as well. When you are able to tell that diseases is there, then you will know to do the things that you need to do to see that it does not get worse, whether in you or your loved ones.

This disorder is a significant disease in the United States today because growing numbers of people continue to suffer from it each passing year. The reason why is not immediately apparent, but one has got to suppose that it must have something to do with the growing population. Even though this seems improbable, learning more about the condition may prove to you otherwise.

Because the cycles of opposing characteristics that depict bipolar disorder take a long time to complete, and are often far apart, a lot of people do not know that they suffer from the condition. Even people close to them may just think their situations to be moods and think no more of it. Little wonder the casualty rate of the disease is so high.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment - Getting Help For African Americans

Jenifer Lewis. Bobby Brown. Charlie Pride. Maia Campbell. Lauryn Hill. DMX. These African Americans have either been diagnosed or are highly suspected to have bipolar disorder. Search any of these names online and you will see articles detailing some aspect of their journey with mental illness and potentially bipolar disorder. Many of these celebrities have gotten help. Others are still battling. The good thing for these celebrities is that most have resources to get proper treatment.

"Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder can quickly swing from extremes of happiness, energy and clarity to sadness, fatigue and confusion. These shifts can be so devastating that individuals may choose suicide (APA, 2010)".

The inclusion of African American celebrities in this article is to emphasize how even people who seem to have everything cope with and manage mental health conditions. Non-celebrity, everyday African Americans need treatment for bipolar disorder too. In the past, African Americans have been hesitant to trust medical professionals because of experiments like the Tuskegee syphilis federally funded study where nearly four hundred black men with syphilis went untreated. In addition, African Americans who sought help for mental illnesses had a "higher incidence of being misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and/or being hospitalized (Lawson, 2008)".

Effective bipolar treatment is made up of three elements that a client must take part in simultaneously

1. Medication (25 percent of solution) The following drugs typically are prescribed: Abilify, Lamictal, Trileptal, Lithium, Depakote and Seroquel.


2. Individual counseling and treatment groups (50 percent of solution)This part of the solution helps with working through failed relationships, reconnecting with one's self and accepting various outcomes.


3. Client's decision to make better choices (25 percent of solution) At the core of improved living is the decision to be the best you can be. Individuals who suffer from bi-polar must dedicate themselves to self-improvement concepts such as being dependable, exercising personal resolve, accepting change, etc. Successful responses require the ability to negotiate circumstances. Life coping skills such as integrity of character, patience, kindness and good decision making can help head off emotional episodes.

Depending on the life span and intensity of symptoms, it can be difficult for children and adult to experience a normal life. Yet, thousands of individuals have figured out the key to successful and normal living. The following strategies help to experience normal daily living.

1. Acceptance of Disorder:The temptation to enter denial is ever present. The acceptance of the disorder and the associated symptoms is an important step. By accepting the obvious, individuals can move towards better outcomes and results.


2. Self Monitoring:The early self identification of triggers and forthcoming meltdowns cannot be under-estimated. By identifying patterns and themes associated with various symptoms, individual can better brace themselves and make alternative plans.


3. Rest & Exercise:Pent up frustrations, on-going depression and emotional let downs can be countered by getting proper rest. In addition, exercise is an excellent way to resolve daily experiences that encourage sulking, selfishness and anger.


4. Proper Diet:There are certain foods that encourage negative emotional cycles and counter-productive experiences. The simple act of removing items from the menu can improve outcomes quickly.

Most insurance companies pay for treatment. For those with no health insurance, Community Mental Health is a place to start. Every state in the United States of America has this organization. One who is searching for help for bipolar disorder need only travel to a place (like the library) that has internet access. Go to a search website like Google, yahoo or bing and search for "community mental health Chicago (use the name of your city)". Address and telephone information will appear in the search engine results pages.

There is also an organization called Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. It is a patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The website has support materials and a bipolar disorder peer support group locator.

Finally, to increase the likelihood of appropriate treatment for African Americans, people and organizations that African Americans respect will have to weigh in on the conversations. Celebrities who have come forward to discuss bipolar disorder help other African Americans to speak up and ask for treatment. Yet more help is needed. Churches, pastors, barbers, sororities, lodges, etc must also help reach out to African American community members with mental health concerns and help them find proper education and solutions.

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

What If I Don't Have Bipolar Disorder?

You may often wonder if you really have bipolar disorder or not. If you do, you are not alone. Many people who have been diagnosed with the disorder question if perhaps they might have another disorder instead and merely have been misdiagnosed.

There are a few other disorders that can be mistaken for bipolar, such as:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) still have the energy that children with the disorder have - that of running as if by some unforeseen motor.

When ADHD is manifested in adults, this hyperactivity can mimic the mania seen in bipolar disorder. However, in bipolar disorder, the mania will not go away "in spurts" as it will in people with ADHD, who will generally run down at the end of the day.

Manic episodes can run from days to weeks (even to months).

Major Depression

Major depression is very commonly mistaken for bipolar, as both include depression.
However, in bipolar disorder, depression is only half the equation, with mania being the other half.

With bipolar depression, the depression will usually not respond simply to the antidepressants that will usually help someone with major depression.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline personality disorder is commonly mistaken for bipolar, due to the common symptoms of both disorders - specifically, the mood swings.

However, it is entirely possible to have BPD and bipolar at the same time.

If you believe that you have one of these other disorders, please seek professional help.

Bipolar Disorder - How to Get Help for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder affects many people, often times for years, before it gets treated. In this article, I'll explain how you can get help for bipolar disorder, and what options you have available to you. Use this information to determine the necessary course of action to take for your situation, or for someone you love or know.

The current view in the psychotherapeutic community is that bipolar disorder cannot be cured -- only that it can be managed. In other words, the aim of treatment for bipolar disorder is to help the patient be able to deal with the mood disturbances that are associated with bipolar disorder. If you can manage these disturbances, then they will no longer affect you, or negatively impact your life.

Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a health professional, based on what the patient reports experiencing, as well as experiences of the patient reported by family members and other acquaintances. Typically, the symptoms of this disorder are hard to initially spot, meaning that many people suffer unnecessarily from bipolar disorder for years, before getting the treatment they need.

So what are some treatments that help for bipolar disorder? There are many different options, depending upon the exact type of bipolar disorder you have, as well as your personality and coping style. But typically, they fall under two categories, which are often used in conjunction. These two categories are medication and psychotherapy.

Medication aims to correct certain chemical imbalances in the body that are associated with bipolar disorder. By restoring the proper chemical imbalances in the body, the person is less likely to face large disturbances in their mood, and will be able to manage their bipolar better.

Psychotherapy is used to help the patient better cope with situations, with proper cognitive behavioral therapy, and other tools. Your state of thinking and awareness really can affect the symptoms of your bipolar disorder, and by being better able to manage those, you help reduce the impact of the symptoms on your life.

Medication and psychotherapy are often used together, because medication helps the person become stable, but doesn't treat the root of the problem. Psychotherapy aims more to get clarity on what causes a problem, so that steps can be taken to deal with the root cause, to lessen the impact of bipolar disorder on the individual.

In conclusion, I have given you some different ways on how you can get help for bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder - My Fault?

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" you may have asked yourself. If you have, you're not alone. Many people with the disorder have also asked themselves the same question. Is your bipolar disorder caused by something you did? You and/or your supporter may be pondering this question as well.

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" "Is there something I did to cause the disorder to manifest itself in me?" "Did I somehow "catch" it like you can catch the common cold?" Of course not. There is nothing you could have done or not done to prevent getting the disorder - it was (and is) beyond your control, and certainly NOT your fault if you do have the disorder.

The cause of the disorder is not exactly known, but what is considered the cause is twofold: both a chemical imbalance in the brain and a genetic (hereditary) influence.

Scientific studies have long shown that neurotransmitters in the brain are responsible for the disorder in people. In other words, they cite abnormal brain structure and brain function as the cause for a person getting the disorder. Research is now being conducted to discover the exact gene responsible for the disorder so that a cure may be found.

Yet other studies have shown that people who have bipolar disorder also have close family ties to the disorder. Research indicates that the disorder is passed down through the family.

Inheritability is estimated anywhere from 50-80%. Research shows that when bipolar disorder is present in the family, the other blood relatives stand a 10-20% chance of having the disorder as well.

When one parent has the disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be between 15-30%. When both parents have the disorder, the risk to each child increases to 50-75%. One study indicates that 80% of children who have the disorder come from families with a history of mood disorders and/or alcoholism on both sides of the family.

If you had a choice whether to have the disorder or not, I don't think you would choose it, any more than a person would choose to have cancer. Would you blame someone for getting cancer, or say that it is their fault?

"Is bipolar disorder my fault?" By now you know the answer to that question for yourself. You also should have enough information to educate your family and other people that having the disorder is definitely not the result of anything you did or did not do. Back it up by showing them the research. Then tell them with confidence, "It is NOT my fault that I have bipolar disorder."