Like "kindling" is
to fire, stressors or triggers are to episodes of bipolar disorder. As
the forest fire burns out of control, no longer needing the kindling, so
episodes of bipolar disorder no longer need triggers. And like the
forest fire, they worsen (and become more frequent) over time,
becoming more and more difficult to suppress.
Bipolar disorder,
also known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious mental condition
that affects millions of people. Bipolar disorder is characterized by
extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. Those with the
illness appear to vacillate between the extremes of mania and
depression over a period of time. The disorder can be described as a
recurring and severe mental illness that affects an individual's mood,
behavior and ability to think clearly. The brain becomes sensitized
and eventually will no longer need triggers to set off an episode.
These episodes become more frequent and worsen over time. Like diabetes or heart disease,
bipolar disorder is a long-term illness and must be carefully managed
throughout the person's life.
The primary
struggle for those with bipolar disorder is with mood regulation. This
becomes more difficult because those who are experiencing the symptoms
often don't recognize there is a problem. The average age of onset of
bipolar disorder is about 19 years old. Most professionals agree that
it is a biologically based mental illness, and the greatest factor for
predicting the development of the disorder is genetics. It runs in
families. The illness is thought to be caused by chemical imbalances
in certain brain cells that are responsible for regulating emotions
and behavior. As would be expected, bipolar disorder greatly impacts
family members, friends, and even employers, as they attempt to deal
with the extremes of mood and behavior along with the affected person.
The Symptoms
The symptoms of
bipolar disorder vary depending on which part of the cycle the person
is experiencing. Note that these are not the normal ups and downs most
people face. The extremes of bipolar disorder are severe and can be
life threatening, on either end.
The depressive
stage of this disorder is similar to a major depression. This likely
involves extreme sadness and lethargy, an inability to concentrate,
marked change in appetite, insomnia, and loss of interest in daily
activities. In some cases it can include suicide attempts as well.
In the manic phase,
the opposite pole of the depressive stage, the person's energy and
activity levels can be off the scale. They don't sleep; they can get
into spending sprees, and take on elevated beliefs about their
abilities and powers. This combined with impaired judgment can lead to
daredevil, and even life threatening behaviors. So the manic phase is
not a "happy" one, it looks more like out of control hyperactivity
with severe consequences.
It is not uncommon
for those with bipolar disorder to exhibit psychotic kinds of symptoms
as well. These can include delusions or hallucinations.
The Bad News
The bad news is
that without treatment, the effects of bipolar disorder will generally
worsen and can become devastating. So it is important to begin
treatment as early as possible. The treatment of bipolar disorder is
usually two fold -- medications and therapy. Typically, mood
stabilizers and antidepressants are the medications used to control
the major symptoms. These may include: lithium, antipsychotic,
electro-convulsive therapy, and even thyroid hormone, with lithium
being the most widely used mood-stabilizing medication since the
1970s. A challenge in treating the disease is convincing the affected
person that
treatment is even necessary and that it is imperative they take their
medication regularly. Additionally, management of the disorder is more
difficult with those who are also substance abusers.
The Good News
Believe it or not
there is good news! People with bipolar disorder are
highly creative, especially during periods of hypomania and mania.
Ludwig van
Beethoven, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Samuel Clemens (Mark
Twain), Charles Dickens, Peter Tchaikovsky, Irving Berlin, Cole
Porter, Rosemary Clooney, T.S. Eliot, Victor Hugo, Michelangelo, and
Edgar Allan Poe; just to name a few who are no longer with us.
Those that are
still with us, again there are many more, so this is just a very short
list,
Dick Cavett, Kitty
Dukakis, Peter Gabriel, Charlie Pride, Patty Duke, Carrie Fisher, Jane
Pauley and Ted Turner. These people have come forward and have
publicly announced that they have bipolar disorder. I'm sure you
recognize them T
The Missing Link
You probably
guessed it!
The
missing link - information. If you want to be successful in
controlling your bipolar disorder you need as much information about
it as you can get your hands on.
You need
information about such issues as:
-
How is bipolar
disorder diagnosed properly
-
How to find
doctor/therapist who is knowledgeable about bipolar disorder
-
Which medication is right for you
-
How do you
help your child get through school and make good choices in making
friends
The answer to all
these questions and more is accurate information.
You need to
research; you need to invest your time and sometimes money to get the
information you need to help yourself or your loved one. So don't
blame everyone for your problem and don't be a failure at getting
proper treatment. All you need is knowledge - the most important
factor in successfully dealing with bipolar disorder.
You can start right
here, right now, by simply subscribing to "Living with Bipolar
Disorder" Newsletter! Discover what you should do when you find out
your child has bipolar disorder; how a person with bipolar disorder
manipulates you through lies and arguments; the most common mistakes
made by parents of bipolar children; and more. Yours FREE!
