There are over five million adults diagnosed of bipolar manic depressive disorder in the United States. Also, the three and a half million American children and adolescents diagnosed of depression are highly likely to experience bipolar manic disorder symptoms or bipolar depression. The condition can reduce up to nine years from your life span which for some individuals can also cause them to be suicidal or self-destructive behaviors as stated by the National Health Institute of Mental Health. Hence, one of the leading causes of human disability is bipolar depressive or bipolar manic disorder. Bipolar is a psychiatric illness that causes unusual and sudden changes to mood, activity and energy levels, which may affect an individual’s ability to carry out his day to day tasks. Going from feeling very sad, helpless and despaired, manic depression symptoms can cause him/her to shift to feeling euphoric happiness, being overly active and practically on top of the world, which has been known to break relationships, affect job and school performance, or even cause suicide.
Meaning of Bipolar Manic Depression
High levels of energy, inability to sleep; having big plans for activities, being restless, uneasy and talkative is part of bipolar manic disorder symptoms. Low energy phases with negative emotions such as feelings of guilt, hopelessness, loss of appetite, anxiety and guilt is bipolar depression symptoms. Every day a patient may experience several of these symptoms. During late teen or early adult years, bipolar symptoms usually occur. At around 15 – 25 years of age most patients started experiencing symptoms. Women are three times more prone to experiencing bipolar episodes than men, according to the Bipolar disorder statistics. Having a bipolar disorder history in the family may increase one’s risk of developing bipolar symptoms as stated by the National Health Institute of Mental Health.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosis involves physical examinations, interview, lab tests like blood work and brain scans and evaluation of the patient’s medical history. After a complete diagnostic evaluation, the doctor may provide referral to a trained mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist, who is more experienced in handling bipolar disorder. Proper and immediate diagnosis is extremely important in helping bipolar sufferers lead a normal life. It will also help provide the right kind of treatment that will reduce the frequency or severity of the symptoms.
Treatment
A mixture of psychotherapy and medicines are typically suggested to efficiently stop relapse of manic depression symptoms. Mood stabilizers, anti psychotic medications, and atypical anti psychotic things might be prescribed for bipolar individuals. They’re typically prescribed by a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. In a few instances, sedatives or sleep medicines are suggested to patients who have difficulty with sleep. “Talk therapy” or “psychotherapy” offers guidance, education, and support for bipolar individuals in addition to their families. This involves various approaches like social rhythm therapy and psychological education, family concentrated therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and intrapersonal therapy.
Caution
Additional illnesses might coexist with bipolar manic depressive disorder, resulting in it being much harder to treat and diagnose. Abusing substances might make symptoms of bipolar disorder last longer or trigger them and result in behavioral issues related to the disorder. Anxiety problems like post traumatic stress, ADD, and social fears might overlap with the disorder. Additionally, individuals dealing with this problem have a greater risk of getting thyroid problems, diabetes, migraines, and additional physical problems. Thus, getting expert assistance when having symptoms of these disorders is recommended.
Filed under Health by on Apr 22nd, 2010. 2 Comments. 
Bipolar support groups allow those who share a common diagnosis or interest to come together. This is besides the everyday medication that must be taken by a bipolar disorder victim, to offer emotional support. These people come together to share ideas and offer ideas on how to cope. While most support groups are usually led by someone who has experience in these kinds of meeting, it is not an important factor. What is important here is to just “SHARE IDEAS,” because mothers, parents or patients can form a bipolar support group and help those that are interested.
A Suitable Place
In your garage, a hall or even inside your house, every group must have a place to meet and available when you as a group need it. Another important factor here is that it must be comfortable. Sitting in a circle rather than a church style setup is your ideal sitting set up.
Rules to be followed
While you as a group will make your own rules later on, there are some important points that must be emphasized every time you meet.
Confidentiality: everything shared must stay inside the meeting.
No other sources: quoting from the bible or famous people must not be allowed into your meetings and everything shared must be from personal experience.
No preaching: words such as don’t do this or don’t do that. This must not be tolerated.
Offer suggestions: these suggestions must be from personal experience like; I went through the same experience and I did this or my child had that same thing and I did this. Use non threatening suggestion.
No gossip: you must not allow anybody to drag somebody’s name down in these meetings.
JUST LISTEN: Most would come to a meeting not to have their problem solved but to have an opportunity to share all their frustrations in their everyday life with bipolar victims.
First Goal
While providing important emotional support, the primary goal of most bipolar support groups is to ensure that no one living with bipolar disease or this mental condition feel alone again. Support groups are more than just a safety net for patients or caregivers for they can also improve the physical health and well being of those taking part.
Other Functions
A critical foundation for those trying to cope with the disorder, in some places bipolar support groups are also called special interest groups (SIG), who form an important part for many health organizations. Support groups help in the daily everyday struggles and fill the emptiness of having medication. Informing about the new advancements in bipolar treatment or therapies available, support groups generally helps patients to cope and serve as educators.
Support Groups Online
With modern technologies at our doorsteps, many have found this type of support network ideal for those living in rural areas or those who are scared of leaving their homes. Many use online support as a backup to the existing bipolar support groups in their area.
Filed under Health by on Nov 18th, 2009.
Considering the signs and symptoms will be confusing or ones may believe that it’s normal. The Signs Of Bipolar Disorder may be easier to recognize from an outside perspective than by the person suffering from the disorder.
Primary Symptoms
The main signs of bipolar are mood swings. These are unpredictable and dramatic, they can happen for no reason and will go from one extreme to the other. Bipolar has two phases thus the bipolar name means two phases.
Manic Phase
The signs of bipolar include the manic phase. This is also mentioned as hypo-mania or bipolar mania. This phase is considered the “high” of bipolar disorder because of the symptoms. There are several symptoms of this phase include :
· euphoria feelings
· simply annoyed
· excessive talking
· racing thoughts
· higher than normal self esteem
· excessive energy
· spontaneity
Depressive Phase
The other phase that is including when accessing the Signs Of Bipolar Disorder is the depressive phase. It is also mentioned as main depression or bipolar depression. If the manic phase is the “high”, so the depressive phase is the “low”. There are some symptoms of this phase include :
· low self esteem
· feelings of extreme unhappiness
· the energy is low
· feelings of loneliness
· slow speech
· poor concentration
· desperate thoughts
· weak coordination
· lack of interest in activities
Bipolar Diagnosis
Someone who has diagnosed with bipolar must show both of the Signs Of Bipolar Disorder above. Having just one phase is not a sign of bipolar disorder, but other mental disorders. Only a trained professional can accurately diagnose bipolar disorder.
Both phases of bipolar are severe when they occur. It is important that at the first Signs Of Bipolar Disorder to get help. The Signs Of Bipolar Disorder as well as the mood swings will be more likely to noticed by the people around you.
There are many treatments for bipolar that can effectively treat the disease and prevent extreme mood swings. Through medications and therapy a person with bipolar disorder can easily make it through daily life.
Filed under Health by on Jul 29th, 2009. 1 Comment.
A person suffering from bipolar mania finds it hard to cope with the illness. They also find it difficult to function in their daily lives as well as their social relationships. The lack of interest in life and feeling of hopelessness the depression brings is crippling to the patient. This depression stage of bipolar causes many patients to commit suicide.
The opposite of depression is mania. This is an extreme high euphoric feeling. In this stage, the patient is overly excited, may talk rapidly, and have an unrealistic view of his or her own abilities. This state of excitement and rush of energy can lead to rash impulsive behavior. During this stage, the patient can be a danger to themselves and others.
Bipolar support groups are able to help bipolar patients with their excessive mood swings. Here, they are able to interact socially with others who have the same problems and discuss their own experiences along with ways of trying to deal with them. For people with bipolar, it is useful to learn how others cope with their mania, depression and other problems.
By joining a support group, the patient won’t have to feel alone in the struggle to live and function with the disorder. With the support of others, they can keep finding motivation to keep following their treatment plan and gaining hope for recovery while learning to look forward to a brighter future.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Many bipolar mania sufferers also use or abuse alcohol or other drugs in an effort to control their episodes. This will only make the problem worse and complicate treatment. In group therapy under the guidance of a professional or other moderator, the substance abuse problems are dealt with also. It is important to find the right treatment for your particular case.
Joining a support group will help with the substance abuse as well as other problems associated with this disorder. A support group is an important part of any treatment plan for bipolar mania. It offers moral and emotional support, which is a big help for the feelings of isolation bipolar patients face. Make friends that will be there for you in the future when you are having a problem.
Online Support
Online support groups and forums also offer help for individuals struggling with symptoms of bipolar mania. You can go there anytime day or night if you feel the need to interact with others or share your experiences. You can read what others have to say and learn how they are coping with their moods. You may learn new ways to deal with your own problems. Make friends to share your experiences with and talk honestly about anything that is on your mind. Online or offline you can benefit from tips and advice other participants offer based on their own experiences.
Family and friends can also benefit from joining bipolar support groups. New ways of helping your loved ones can also be learned. It’s quite difficult to see a loved one struggling with mood disorders that come from bipolar mania. With the support group, they will help you better understand bipolar and find new ways to deal with the situation.
Copyright 2009 by Ken P Doyle
Filed under Health by on Feb 2nd, 2009.