what does bipolar actully mean?

Answer 1

There's truly no easy way to explain what Bipolar Disorder is and the extent of it varies from person to person. There are many different forms. However, BP is incurable but can be controlled. It’s characterized by extreme changes in mood which range from mania, hypomania (a lesser form of mania), and depression. These moods are called "episodes". People with BP can also experience "mixed" episodes (mania or hypomania mixed with depression).

When they’re in a manic state some show symptoms of very risky behavior like impulsive risky sex, dangerous other activities, extreme shopping sprees, irritation, anger, loss of control, restlessness, racing thoughts, insomnia, hallucinations, etc.

Hypomania is less sever, it consists of restlessness, racing thoughts, insomnia, etc. You basically feel more energized and feel as though you can take on the world. Many become more creative and start on new projects.

During the depression stage there’s a feeling of hopelessness, a loss of interest in things you once loved, thoughts of suicide or a fascination with death, crying, loss of sleep or sleeping too much, sense of worthlessness, etc.

BP varies from person to person. Some people may experience changes in moods for weeks, months, or years at a time and then stable out while others rapid cycle. Rapid cycling is when you experience 4 or more episodes within a 12 month period.

When treated properly, a person with Bipolar Disorder can lead a healthy and normal life style. In more sever cases a person may have to apply for disability. As stated, it’s an incurable disease so even when a person is on medication there can be reoccurring episodes caused by “triggers”. Triggers can be stressful events or situations as well as a simple thing like the change in the weather.

There’s SO MUCH that I haven’t even touched on because it’s so complicated there's a lot to it. I posted a few websites in the list/source area. You can also find more by typing "Bipolar Disorder" in the search engine.

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JADED SHELL



In reference to YOU “Jaded Shell” and the rest of “those” who think like her, Bipolar Disorder is NOT something that a person just snaps out of and get over. That’s the problem; bipolar people ARE thinking “WE’RE” ALWAYS thinking. The medication that we’re taking is to “slow” the thinking process down. A great majority of “our” IQ is something that you could only dream of. So trust me when I say, we know life just sucks in general Ms. Jaded Shell who obviously lives in one. Who are you to call a person weak minded because of a disorder especially that person being your son? What does that say about you as a person? What does that say about you as a parent? By your post, I can almost guarantee you that YOU are your son’s problem. YOU’RE his trigger. If you don’t even believe that he has a REAL condition and you call him weak minded, I can only imagine the things that you must say and how you treat him.

Here’s a thought for you though “genius”, instead of telling your son “life sucks get over it…” why don’t you look DEEPER into the issues at hand and find out some of the things that make him feel as though his life sucks. *SMH* I don’t even have children and I knew that. I can tell you why you’re like that though it’s so simple, you’re selfish. You’re one of those types of people who instead of looking at another person’s problem you say, “You think you have problems, I have problems too…” I bet you live a very “simple” and shallow little life that you think holds so much meaning when the reality is, you’re just another lost sheep living in your own little optical illusion of a world. My advice to you is if you really care about your son’s well being, you’ll get rid of that distasteful attitude you have of his conditions and become a real mother and help him get a grasp of them. Perhaps the original poster is bipolar or perhaps she has a loved one that’s been diagnosed with being BP, you just insulted her or them. Then again, in your own precious world who cares right?

LOL I am seriously *Shaking my head* at you..

“I think bi-polar is just a way to describe people who can't (or won't) control their actions… I think bi-poar is just simply a personalty disorder… I think if the sufferer of this diease could just stop… I think, maybe they would be able to see that nothing is ever going to be wonderful.”

Darling if that’s what you “think”, I “think” you should just stop “thinking” all together.

Answer 2

Bipolar mental disorder means a manic-depressive disorder. It's different than Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD) or Schizophrenia(split -personality).. Schizophrenics loses touch with reality. Bipolars have a good grasp of reality. I have been diagnosed with the latter for many years and am under medications to control and stabilize my "highs and lows-" mania bordering on euphoria and excitabiltiy to depression mood swings.

Answer 3

It is a generic term really applied to a variety of illnesses that typically manifest them selves in periods of extreme mood swing. They are currently looking at classifying and adding different levels of "bi-polar" dis order. People may have triggers for the mood swing or they may not. Levels of high activity and a generally excited state followed by longer periods of depression and inactivity may lead to a diagnosis of "bi-polar". Classically the moods of depression tend to grow in length and intensity which is what generally leads people to seek treatment. Causes are uncertain and treatments vary widely. It is my guess that this is a blanket diagnosis in many cases when the health care provider may be unable to easily classify or explain extended depressive states. As a side note recent literature asserts many of our best authors and artists at least show several symptoms of this through out history. My hunch is that like ADD or AHDH before it this will be horribly over diagnosed in the next twenty years so in all cases seek additional information and opinions. Be well.

Answer 4

Well it means that you go through ups where you are so happy and energetic that you actually cant sleep and that missing that sleep doesn't bother you and then you'll go through downs where you you'll be so depressed that all you can think about is killing yourself and you'll want to sleep for days on end its called bipolar because you will equate between to polars the up polar and the down polar you can find out more and www.health questions.com good luck

Answer 5

It is basically a psychological disorder due to extreme depression. It is called bipolar only because the mental state of the patient is normal in this minute than he gets depressed to the extent of committing suicide the next moment he is prepared to take some one Else's life. Conclusion their two poles one is extreme depression & sedation the other is violent excitement under dipression.

Answer 6

From dictionary.com:

Relating to or having two poles or charges.

Relating to a device capable of using two polarizations, such as a transistor that uses positive and negative charge carriers.

Relating to or involving both of the earth's polar regions.

Having two opposite or contradictory ideas or natures: the bipolar world of the postwar period.

Biology Having two poles or opposite extremities: a bipolar neuron.

Psychology Relating to a major affective disorder that is characterized by episodes of mania and depression.

Answer 7

One textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as: "a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation." This is misleading in that bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness - is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation.

Answer 8

used to be called manic-depression because sometimes the symptoms are mania (hyperactive, creative, energetic to the point of wildness, claim to be extremely happy -- often make very poor judgements, take risks, spend money) and sometimes the symptoms are depression (can't get out of bed, can't eat, lose interest in everything)
it is now called bipolar because of the swings between these two opposites.

Answer 9

My son has been diagnosed with bi-poloar, ADHD and ODD (oppisitional defiance disoerder) He has had the last 2 diagnosis' since he was 5 and the bi-polar for the last 2 years. He is now 14.

For him, his bi-poloar symptoms are not simply defined as "highs and lows" it comes as dramatic and unexplained mood swings. He could be just sitting in the living room watching TV and if someone doesnt respond to him in the way he thought he would be responded to then he "freaks out" since he can't process information in his brain the way a mentaly healty person can, he loses control of his thought process and seems to be in survival mode.

i think bi-polar is just a way to describe people who can't (or won't) control their actions. its hard with my son to distinguish which disorder symtoms we are experiencing.

i think bi-poar is just simply a personalty disorder and i think if the sufferer of this diease could just stop and think, maybe they would be able to see that nothing is ever going to be wonderful. life sux for all of us at one time or another, for some life always sux. it all boils down to sucking it up and actually dealing with the emotions of being disappointed in this life. I do it every day and i think my son is mentally weak to have to "throw a fit" evrytime life throws him a curve ball.

Answer 10

It's a condition that used to be called manic depressive. People usually alternate between manic phases and depressed phases.