|
TheBipolarDisorder.com Featured Article
Managing Bipolar Disorder And Living With Its Effects
By
Bobby Ryatt
Manic Depression, also Known as Bipolar Disorder, is a
condition that affects a lot of people all over the
world. If a person is suffering from the illness they
are likely to experience extreme mood swings, within
minutes or over a longer period of time, sometimes over
a month.
These extreme periods or episodes of moods are
Depression or Mania, flipping from one to the other
within a short time. During the depression a patient
will feel very low, while this period lasts a patient
will feel very sad, desperate and inadequate. These
feels can last for a long period.
During mania, the patient will feel very high spirited
full of hope and may feel extremely happy and have lots
of ambitious plans and ideas. They may also spend large
amounts of money on things that they cannot afford. Not
feeling like eating or sleeping, talking quickly, and
becoming annoyed easily, are also quite common.
Moreover, during a manic phase, the patient may also
have symptoms of psychosis, where the person can imagine
things, see or hear things that are not there. This has
also been tagged hypomania in the past.
No! two people have been known to suffer the same
pattern of mood swings in bipolar disorder, They may
vary widely among individuals. Some individuals may only
ever suffer a couple of bipolar episodes in their
lifetime and are stable in between, while others may
suffer more repeated and severe episodes and experience
many relapses during their life.
It is not known how one gets the disorder and the cause
is not fully understood but there is evidence that the
illness runs in the family. The bipolar disorder can
develop at any age and unfortunately the condition is
more common then you may realise.
It affects 1:100 but different studies show that one is
more likely to show signs between ages of 15 and 25
years although this is not concrete, and it affects both
sexes and does not have any racial or cultural barriers.
Signs to look out for during the two phases.
The common symptoms of bipolar disorder are mood swings.
The ups and downs range from extreme satisfaction
(mania) to extreme despair (depression). Sequences of
mania also depression may possibly last a long period of
time. Suffers of the condition the illness may swing
from highs to lows momentarily, without having a
'normal' state of life in between. This is categorised
'rapid cycling'.
Feelings one expects to experience during (low) phase
may include:
feeling sad and hopeless,
lack of energy,
finding it difficult to concentrate and remember
things,
loss of interest in everyday activities,
feelings of emptiness or worthlessness,
feelings of guilt and despair,
feeling pessimistic about everything,
self-doubt,
difficulty sleeping and waking up early, and
suicidal thoughts.
The manic (high) phase which may come after 2-4 periods
of low(Depression) may include:
feeling extremely happy, elated or euphoric,
talking very quickly,
feeling full of energy,
feeling full of self-importance,
feeling full of great new ideas and having
important plans,
being easily distracted,
being easily irritated or agitated,
not sleeping,
not eating, and
doing lots of pleasurable things which often have
disastrous consequences e.g. spending a lot of money
which you cannot afford.
Some people who suffer with bipolar disorder may have
more frequent and severe episodes than others. Due to
the extreme nature of the condition, it may be difficult
to hold down a job and relationships may become
strained. There is also an increased risk of suicide.
During their manic bouts a suffer may experience things
such as seeing, hearing or smelling things that are not
there (hallucinations). You may also believe things that
seem irrational to other people (delusions). This is
known as psychosis or a psychotic episode.
Getting the right diagnoses for Bipolar Disorder.
If you suspect you could be suffering from the disorder
it is very important you seek help and be referred to a
specialist immediately. You doctor who may not be
trained in this field very often will refer you to a
specialist. This will often be a psychiatrist. If your
doctor thinks that, due to your illness, there is a risk
that you could harm yourself, or others, s/he will
arrange an appointment straight away. You may also seek
direct consultation with a specialist if you or you
loved one shows signs of the illness.
The consultation will very often start by asking a lot
of questions to establish whether you are suffering from
bipolar disorder. You will be asked about the symptoms
that you have had, and when you first experienced them.
The consultant will also want to explore your background
and family history to establish if any of your family
have had the condition. If someone else in your family
has suffered bipolar disorder, the specialist may wish
to talk to them, but will ask for your permission before
doing so.
If you show certain signs, you may also have to undergo
tests to see whether you have a physical problem such as
thyroid disease. If you have bipolar disorder, it is
important you visit your doctor on a regular basis to
have a physical health check.
You doctor might prescribe antidepressants for you
depression.
Antidepressants are drugs that treat the symptoms of
depression.
There are three main types of antidepressant:
selective serotonin
tricyclic antidepressants
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
There are also other drugs that do not fall into these
categories too.
Antidepressants work by changing the level of certain
chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.
Antidepressants work by changing the level of certain
chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.
Normally, these chemicals pass signals from one brain
cell to another, but in depression, some of them don't
work properly. Antidepressants increase the level of
active neurotransmitters.
Antidepressants can cause some side effects, including
drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting.
However, this usually settles down as you get used to
the drug. They usually have to be taken for a long time,
and when it is time to come off them, it's important to
come off them gradually to avoid any side effects or
relapses.
Dont leave getting treatment for bipolar disorder too
late.
Help is available for sufferers in may forms, You can
have a better understanding of the disorder by getting
hold of a well researched and compiled eBook from the
link below.
There are a number of drug treatments available that can
help to stabilise mood swings. These include:
Lithium carbonate
Anticonvulsant medicines
Antipsychotic medicines
If you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, it is
possible to learn to recognise the warning signs of an
approaching episode of mania or depression. This will
not prevent the episode occurring, but will enable you
to get help in time. This could involve some changes to
your treatment, perhaps adding an antidepressant or an
antipsychotic medicine to the mood stabilising
medication that you are already taking.
Majority of your treatment will be available to you
without having to stay in hospital. However, if your
symptoms are very severe, or because there is a danger
that you will harm either yourself, or others, you can
be admitted to hospital. As an alternative, it may be
possible for you to receive treatment in a day hospital
and return home at night.
There is also psychological treatment that will help you
to deal with your depression, your symptoms, and provide
advice about how you can improve your relationships. For
example, advice may include, taking regular exercise,
and planning activities that you enjoy, and that can
give you a sense of achievement. You may be referred to
a dietician, but you must seek help and advise from your
doctor and consultant.
There is well a researched and detailed eBook that goes
into explaining the disorder and can give the reader
well informed insight into managing the Bipolar
disorder. Although there is no known treatment for the
illness the patient can live a near normal life if the
disorder and the roller coaster mood swings are managed
properly. The ebook and a whole lot more information is
available by visiting the link below.
You cannot prevent episodes of mania or depression
occurring, but there are things that you can do to help
manage the condition effectively.
To browse our store, click here. To view the latest
bipolar related news and information,
click here. To exchange links with us,
click here. To contact us
with questions or comments,
click here. |
