2006-11-13 19:09:09 · 13 answers · asked by Missy 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.
It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.
The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.
There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.
2006-11-14 23:26:12 · answer #1 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First talk to your doctor and get the correct diagnosis. Then go to your local library and research the diagnosis (bipolar). Copy everything read everything. Learn as much as possible. Next or consecutively join NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) this organization is a wealth of information and support for you and your family. You should not feel ashamed Van Gogh was bipolar. Winston Churchill was bipolar also. Take care.----Leila F
2006-11-13 19:18:29 · answer #2 · answered by Leila F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a site i use for all my stuff that i look up its a medical data base.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depression. It's a serious illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) -- from mania to depression. Between these mood swings, a person with Bipolar disorder may experience normal moods.
"Manic" describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can be irresistible. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped.
"Depression" describes the opposite mood -- sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, sleep problems.
But because the pattern of highs and lows varies for each person, bipolar disorder is a complex disease to diagnose. For some people, mania or depression can last for weeks or months, even for years. For other people, bipolar disorder takes the form of frequent and dramatic mood shifts.
"There's a whole spectrum of symptoms and mood changes that have been found in bipolar disorder," says Michael Aronson, MD, a clinical psychiatrist and consultant for WebMD. "It's not always dramatic mood swings. In fact, some people seem to get along just fine. The manic periods can be very, very productive. They think things are going great."
The danger comes, he says, when the mania grows much worse. "The change can be very dramatic, with catastrophic results. People can get involved in reckless behavior, spend a lot of money, there may be sexual promiscuity, sexual risks."
The depressed phases can be equally dangerous: A person may have frequent thoughts of suicide.
2006-11-13 19:14:52 · answer #3 · answered by dee luna 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it get serious you absolutely have to find a good doctor. He may probably decide you to stay in a hospital for a while. I did, for 20 days. Also you may get electro schock cure there. I got, for 6 times. (It has some small side effects, but treats very very well. )
If you do not want to fall into manic phase, always sleep well. Do not stay awake during nights.
If you fall into depressive phase, believe that it will absolutely end one day, if you do not loose your hope and will to get well.
Pray! If possible 5 times a day.
Read Quran.
Always do what your (good) doctor says. Always be patient, be thankfull to Allah(God). If you are thankfull, then you are from within the winners.
Bye.
For some fun:
http://veyselicnumbers.spaces.live.com
2006-11-13 19:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by veysel_peru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Missy,
You are definitely not alone on this.An excellent source of info can be gotten from your M.D., the library and from a support group for persons with BiPolar.
What can you learn ? You can learn that you are worth the effert of educating yourself to the best of your ability about your own health concern. This will make you better able to ask for the type of help that you want and deserve instead of having others decide for you.
2006-11-13 19:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by Lynne W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, there is no such thing. Psychiatrists/Psychologists are in the business to make money so the more people they convince they're "sick" the more money they make. Don't "buy" into it. What is hilarious is the exact way bi-polar is described is exactly how most of us are actually supposed to be...It's just "medicine" has convinced a large part of the populi that there is something wrong with them if they don't behave like "they" think you're supposed to. Exercise, eat right, read, keep informed and don't worry so much and you'll be fine... Allowing someone to tell you something is wrong with you will only lead to "other" things being wrong with you and you'll find yourself completely confused, messed up on their drugs and brain dead at 35. Find methods to calm yourself through healthy methods, their idea is to get you on drugs and make you feel weak and unsure of yourself... DON'T buy into it. Be strong, be happy, be wise, be informed. Good Luck and email me if you want some ways to help.
2006-11-13 19:15:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're asking for resources for learning about bipolar disorder, a good one is the national institute of mental health at www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
2006-11-13 19:13:10 · answer #7 · answered by turdl38 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
visit followind sides
http://www.patientlinx.com/bipolar/index2.cfm?source=google&gclid=CKCP-YqLxogCFSLrPgodIiahRQ
http://www.davincimethod.com/bipolar/?gclid=CObWxL-LxogCFSJNPgodE1kOBQ
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NIMH: Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, ... Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully ...
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2006-11-13 19:24:21 · answer #8 · answered by Jamsheed A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-11-14 02:48:41 · answer #9 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kerry Katona has just written about it in her book (which is very obscure) she reckons it is hereditary and both her and her mother had it. Bipolar depression.
I reckon doctors give it a name and it is made up
2006-11-13 19:20:26 · answer #10 · answered by frankmilano610 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋