What exactly is manic Bi polar?

Question

My cousin was diagnosed with this like 2 wks ago....& was put on Lithium.....her condition helps to explain ALOT of her actions & behaviors.....but what does it mean?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a "Manic Bipolar" disorder.

The terms Manic-Depression and Bipolar Disorder mean the same thing.

It is one of the three affective mood disorders, the others being Unipolar depression and Schizoaffective disorder.

Manic-Depression is considered a mental illness and a neurobiological disease determined that there is a chromosomal marker for the disease, and has hereditary components.

Just as with any illness, there is a continuum of severity among individuals. Some persons have mild to moderate mood swings, while others may suffer from extreme loss of function and psychotic features.

The essential feature of Bipolar I Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Manic Episodes or Mixed Episodes. Often individuals have also had one or more Major Depressive Episodes.

The essential feature of Bipolar II Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by the occurrence of one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by at least one Hypomanic Episode.


THE CAUSE
No one knows exactly what causes this chemical imbalance, but researchers are looking for specific genes that may play a role. Stress and other environmental factors can trigger manic and depressive episodes, but they do not cause the disease—bipolar disorder is a biological illness.

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

When one parent is bipolar, each child has a 15%-30% chance of developing the condition. When both parents have the illness, the risk jumps to between 50% and 75%.

If you have a brother or sister with bipolar disorder, you have a 15% to 25% chance of developing the illness.

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


THE TRIGGERS (VERY IMPORTANT)
Life events can trigger an episode
When a person is at risk for bipolar disorder, a serious event or illness can sometimes bring on an episode of mania or depression.

TRIGGERS INCLUDE::
- Chronic illness
- Stress
- Hormonal changes
- Loss of a loved one
- Drug abuse
- Lack of sleep
- Hypothyroidism (the insufficient production of thyroid hormones)
- Antidepressant medications (they can cause a manic episode if you are prone to bipolar disorder)

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


WAYS TO HELP YOUR COUSIN COPE WITH THE DISORDER
- Spot trouble before it starts
Try to remember any behavior you noticed the last time a mood episode began. For example, staying up all night could signal the beginning of a manic episode. If you notice any symptoms like this, encourage your loved one to call the doctor right away. Sometimes medication can be adjusted in time to prevent a full-blown episode.

- See a family therapist
Encourage your loved one and all key family members to attend group sessions with a therapist. Family therapy reduces stress—everyone's stress—by working through and resolving interpersonal problems and practical problems in a group setting. What's more, reducing family stress may help prevent relapse.

- Share responsibilities with other people
Give yourself room to take care of yourself. Try not to feel like you have to do it all—you don't want to become exhausted, run down, or even resentful.

- Develop a daily routine
If you live with a person who has bipolar disorder, try to have meals at the same time each day, and schedule times for chores and other activities. Simple routines can have a stabilizing effect on people with this illness.

- Plan for mood episodes before they happen
When moods are stable, create an emergency action plan. Talk to your loved one about what should happen if they become manic, depressed, or suicidal, and when hospitalization should be considered.

- Step in during mood episodes
When your loved one is manic, you may need to take away the car keys and credit cards, and arrange for them to see their doctor as soon as possible. Try to stall any big decisions or large purchases. If your loved one becomes suicidal, seek help immediately.

- Encourage your loved one to take medication
The most obvious way out of a mood episode is through medication. It takes a while for drugs to begin working. In the meantime, urge your loved one to stay on the medication. Stopping too soon or too abruptly can cause adverse effects.

- Learn more about bipolar disorder
When you know what to expect from this illness, coping with it becomes easier. You'll be less likely to blame yourself for things that are not your fault, like your loved one's sadness or irritability. And finding out what works for other people may help you figure out what works best for you.

Answer 2

There really isnt a "manic Bi polar". There is Bipolar disorder, which is characterized by periods of extrodinary euphorpia, followed by periods of intense depression. Lithium usually helps to take the edge off the intense euphoric feelings, but usually does little to nothing about the depression your cousin feels.

Im not sure what you mean by "what does it mean". It means that your cousin suffers from chemical imbalances that affect her behavior, and her condition is something she is going to have to work with for quite some time. It is important that she stays on a medicinal and therapy regiment, because a small percent of people with Bipolar disorder can do dangerous things in their Manic state, and be very suicidal during the depressive. For you, you just need to be supportive and understanding towards her, and do not treat her as if she is "sick" or any different of a person than before she was diagnosed.

Answer 3

Bipolar is plain and simple a chemical imbalance in the brain. Our brain produces certain chemicals that cause us to be either manic (hyper) or depressed. If someone is predominantly manic, than the diagnosis of manic bipolar disorder is given. The psychotropic drugs a doctor will prescribe tries to slow the production of the chemical realease in the brain that causes the person to be manic. Ultimately, the person may begin to show the opposite and be depressed. Many refer to bipolar as manic depression because it involves both. A person usually doesn't like the medication because they lose the euphoria and high from being manic because it does slow them down and can even shift them into a slight state of depression. The Diagnostic Statistical Manual 4-R (DSM IV-R) is a good reference book if you want a more medical description.

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.

Answer 5

Its a disorder where at certain times you are either very hyper and upbeat or you are very depressed. When you're 'manic' you tend to do things that you wouldn't usually do because you want to do things spur of the moment. You don't get enough sleep but function fine. You're happy for no reason whatsoever. And when your depressed you can reach the lowest of lows and with few suicide is the result of such depression. I was diagnosed a few months back with this disorder. If you want to know more let me know.

Answer 6

As long as she takes care of herself, she will be fine. That means finding the right medication that will stabilize her. I know a few people with maniac depression/bipolar. As stated in the other post it is kind of complicated to explain here. Do alot of research. These individuals like the "high" they get from being bipolar...no offense to anyone but this has been my experience with it. Believe me she will be fine.

Answer 7

read a book... it's complex

but basically, Van Gogh and William Blake and Beethoven... artist, poet, composer...... all were bipolar... because creativity is the only natural cure

it's violent mood swings

Answer 8

Read this....

http://www.webspawner.com/users/manicdepression/

Answer 9

look at the link below, hopefully it'll help

Answer 10

I'm not exactly sure....Yes I am...No not!..... Yes I'm sure. Hey who asked you!...Oh I did see what I mean!