Bipolar Disorder: A Long-Term Illness, But Manageable

Bipolar disorder can cause extreme mood swings known as highs and lows. the highs are known to be the mania part of the disorder, (also called, Hypomania.) and the lows are known as the depression part of the disorder. When a person experiences the mania portion of the disorder they typically showing themselves as being full of unusual high energy, a feeling of euphoria, While the depression state can show symptoms of sadness, and lost of interest. While there is no way to prevent bipolar, there are steps you can take to make sure symptoms do not worsen.Pay attention to ny and all warning signs. Avoid drugs and drinking. Take the prescribed medication just as directed. People with bipolar are sometimes tempted to stop their medication. Please do not attempt this. The following can occur once the person stops taking the medication. Depression/suicide, manic or hypomanic episode can occur. If you believe a change needs to be made call your doctor that is treating you for the disorder. Also, consult with that doctor if any other doctor prescribes any medication. Especially over the counter. Some medications can trigger a bipolar episode, or interfere with medications that are being used to the disorder. Also consult with your doctor on the best treatment options including alternative medications. Change of life style/home life may need to happen. (Please note everyone home life is different.) The following may be changes that need to be made to live a healthy and wholesome life with bipolar. (if using) quit illegal drugs, and drinking, keep away from unhealthy relationships, Get involved in exercise, keep active, get plenty of sleep. In order to cope with the diagnosis, educate yourself about the illness, education empowers you and those around you. Stay focused on your recovery goals. If you feel comfortable, join a support group, find health outlets (hobbies,interests.) Learn no way to relax and mange your stress. IE. meditation, Yoga. With someone with bipolar disorder, It's common for them to have another disease or disorder at the same time. This is called, comorbidity. The following are examples of what other diseases or disorders a person can have onto of the bipolar disorder. * Anxiety disorders * PTSD * ADHD * Addiction/substance abuse * Physical/health problems: heart disease, thyroid issues, and obesity. Bipolar is often not recognized as an illness and because of that people can go years without a proper diagnosis There are nearly 6 million adults, and 2-3% of the population are effected by bipolar. also known as, manic depression. And at least half the cases of bipolar are diagnosed before the age of 25. While there still isn't an exact cause for bipolar, . Bipolar usually begins in a person's late teens, but can show in childhood and or up later in life as well. Appearing as depression. While bipolar can effect both teens and children, Bipolar is more likely to effect a child if they have a parent or sibling with the disorder. Children and teens should be carefully evaluated by a mental health professional. An accurate diagnosis is key. Children are more prone to tantrums with mania, while teens may have more of a classic adult type episodes. Which are harder to diagnosis because they have similar symptoms to other disorders like ADHD, major depression, or even schizophrenia. Drug use may also cause these symptoms. Any and all talks of suicide should be taken extremely seriously, And you should seek help immediately. The two most common reasons as to why bipolar occurs is as follows: History of previous episodes, and heredity. Men are tend to have more manic episodes, while women tend to have more episodes with depression. If not treated properly, bipolar can and does effect every aspect of your life. Here are some examples of how: * problems with drugs/drinking * suicide/attempts * legal problems * money problem * relationship troubles * isolation/loneliness * Poor work/school performance * Frequently absent from school/work The following are some examples of risk factors for bipolar disorder * heredity * periods of high stress * drug/drinking abuse * Major life changing event IE. Loss of job or loved one Mood swings may happen anywhere from a few times of year, to several times a week. The risk factors for bipolar are equal among men and women. While bipolar is a long-term, and disruptive condition it is treatable. The most common form of treatment is medication, talk therapy. Mania can be more present in women more then men, There is no known reason why. Mania is easily recognized by it's symptoms. Symptoms of depression and mania are as followed. Symptoms of depression: Poor eating/ eating too much, trouble sleeping/sleeping too much, nervousness/worry, with drawl/loss in interests, Feelings of sadness that does not go away, Irritability/ restlessness, lack of energy, and feelings of worthlessness. inability to think or concentrate, repeated of thoughts of death or suicide, chronic pain, or other problems that does not respond to treatment, An increase in risk-taking behavior which includes reckless driving, and or substance abuse. Additional info: Bipolar depression occurs following a stressful event . For anyone whom experiences a recurring episode of major depression, this is called, clinical depression or (unipolar depression.) When a person experiences both mania and depressive, this called Mixed mania. And is often described as the worst part of the disorder. Symptoms of mania : Spending sprees, lasting periods of unusual behavior (not typical/normal behavior for said person(s), increased sexual drive, abuse of drugs (sleeping medication), cocaine use/drinking, increased energy/restlessness, high/Euphoric mood, extreme irritability, racing thoughts, unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities, little sleep is needed, poor judgement, proactive/intrusive/aggressive behavior, denial that anything is wrong. Mania is typically diagnosed by the following: an elevated mood that shows 3 or more symptoms of mania in a 24 hr period or longer. If in an irritable mood 4 additional symptoms must be present. For anyone that is not aware, there are several different types of the disorder Bipolar1, the classic form of bipolar, with recurring episodes of mania and depression.Bipolar 2, milder episodes of hypomania, that alternates with depression. Rapid cycling when 4 or more episodes happen within a year. (Rapid Cycling Bipolar.) Rapid Cycling Bipolar develops late in life, and is more common to occur among women then men. Additional Information: As stated earlier, Bipolar disorder runs in families. And because of that, there is research being done to explore the DNA of specific genes that influence the brain and body. Genes that work and and grow together. These genes get passed down from generation to generation.with the possibility of increasing a person's chance of getting the illness. however, genes are not the whole story. Brain imaging helps the medical field study what goes wrong in the brain. Of course there is also surgery, but the following are less intrusive ways to look inside the brain. Such as a, PET, and MRI. Again I'd like to stress, that if properly treated a person can live a full life with this disorder. Bipolar can only get worse if not treated.I also like to remind anyone reading this, that there is no single cause for bipolar disorder. PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OF ANY KIND. I ALSO DO NOT AGREE WITH SELF DIAGNOSIS. IF YOU FEEL YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY HAVE THIS DISORDER, PLEASE CONSULT WITH A TRUSTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. THANK YOU! I gathered this information from the following. MayoClinic.org International Bipolar Foundation Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance