Bipolar disorder is an affliction that affects countless people world wide. Many people suffer with this emotional disorder for their entire lives without getting the medical attention that they need. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic- depressive illness that causes mood swings, energy displacement and ability to function normally. It is a brain disease that cannot be cured; just like heart disease or diabetes, but with proper treatment and understanding  bipolar disorder can be treated  so it will be under control thus, no longer life threatening.

 How can you recognise the symptom of bipolar disorder.
 
Firstly the problem with diagnosing bipolar disorder is that the symptoms are a little tricky to pinpoint.
*  A main symptom for bipolar disorder is mood swings – these mood manifestations are not what we normally see or experience ourselves; they are dramatic ups and downs. When a person suffering bipolar disorder is experiencing a down period they are liable to have suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The difficultly lies in the fact that everyone has mood swings. An individual who has bipolar disorder will have no other point of reference than his own experience. He may think that everyone goes through these changes in moods and so can’t recognise them as a symptom of bipolar disorder.

*The other symptom of bipolar disorder is energy displacement – a person suffering from bipolar disorder experiences at times tremendous energy bursts and that may keep him/her awake for days and they often don’t eat well during these periods. It isn’t until the individual is unable to function normally that the bipolar disoder becomes apparent. However, this usually occurs when the individual is in a deep state of depression. Since the person or his concerned family will seek help during the depressive state the physician may misdiagnose the individual with depressive disorder rather than bipolar disorder.

Treatment for bipolar disorder

An individual who has bipolardisorder needs a mood stabilizer like lithium rather than an antidepressant. The mood stabilizing medication will help the individual find the balance that he so desperately needs. When the person does not get the proper treatment, he may try to self-medicate by taking drugs.  Psychological treatment is essential for managing  the symptom of  bipolar disorder long term; medications are available with the doctor’s prescription, which help in stabilizing the mood swings and the depression. Support of family and friends is what usually helps most to assist the sufferers as they deal with the mania and depression episodes; they do need constant supervision in order to assure that their bipolar disorder medication is taken on time on a daily basis.

Facts about Bipolar Disorder

* Approximately 5.7 million adult Americans or approximately 2.6% of US population over 18 suffer from bipolar disorder.
* Manic depression typically occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood with very few reported cases ofbipolar disorder developing late in life.
* Bipolar disorder cannot be cured but it can be successfully treated and kept under control with the proper care.
There is information available on the web, in any hospital or with one’s doctor if you have any doubts about someone close has the sypmtom of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be fatal if it is not treated in time and as the depressive episodes get worse; if in doubt about the disorder and its symptoms, contact help right away to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment are on the way – prompt action may save the afflicted person’s life.

An individual who has bipolar disorder may show signs when he is in a manic state. His pattern of speech may quicken and he may talk incessantly. Spending binges are a big sign of bipolar  disorder as well. It is important to consider these episodes and communicate them to your doctor if you are seeking treatment for depression.

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Bipolar Disorder and Society:

The stigma often associated with manic depression and other mental disorders is very real. Many people with bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses are afraid to share their condition with other people for fear of ridicule or judgment.

A World Federation for Mental Health study recently revealed that more than 71% of patients with bipolar disorder felt they could not reveal their illness to others without being judged.

The stigma is so real in fact many will avoid telling friends or family of their mental condition. Many people with bipolar disorder face stigma and discomfort from well-meaning friends and family members that don’t really understand bipolar disorder.

Many patients are more than happy to share their “up” phases to the outside world but tend to keep their depression to themselves.

While people may enjoy being around an upbeat hypomanic personality, they may find a depressive bipolar less companionable.

This makes common interactions and social events uncomfortable at best, and undesirable at worst for many bipolar patients.

It is common for patients with bipolar disorder to feel misunderstood. Unfortunately even many health care providers carry with them a biased attitude toward bipolar patients. Many have a difficult time focusing on the real reason a person is in their office. Instead they focus on the mental health issue.

Some patients feel cut off by their doctors or disregarded before they have an opportunity to get at the core of their problem. Manic patients may leave their doctor’s office without their dignity and respect.

Respect and Dignity For Mental Health Patients:

What is important for patients and the public at large to realize is that bipolar patients are people too, people that deserve compassion, kindness and understanding.

Far too often even well-meaning doctors fall into the trap of generalizing the public’s health or mental condition.

What is true is that all manic depressive patients are different. Not all patients are the same and what works for one may not necessarily work for another.

What the public should also realize is that according to the National Institutes of Mental Health, roughly one in five people suffers from some form of mental illness or another.

That means as a patient, you are more part of family than an outcast.

Most patients with bipolar disorder or some other form of depression are in fact, more commonly the norm rather than the exception to the rule.

Understanding this can help promote greater compassion and acceptance of manic depression and bipolar disorder.

Steps for Overcoming Fear of Bipolar Disorder:

If you or a loved one suffers from bipolar disorder or any other mental illness, there is hope. There are several strategies you can adopt to help promote your health and well being.

There are even more steps you can take to help you feel comfortable and accepted by society at large.

Here are some small steps patients and family members can take to help overcome the stigma associated with mental illness.

- Always accept your condition for what it is.

- Never attempt to hide your condition for fear that others will be un-accepting or misunderstand you.

- Educate friends and family. Direct them to a number of sites that help explain bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Great reference sites include the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

- Confidently explain that one if five people suffers from some form of mental illness or another.

- Remember that you are more an insider than you realize.

- One out of every five of your friends, acquaintances or associates likely suffers from some form of mental illness. -Use support groups to help bolster your self confidence and promote your inner peace and well being.

- Remember to always hold your head high with dignity and respect. Never accept less than the utmost respect when consulting with friends, family or your doctor.

A good friend is often a key support figure for patients suffering from bipolar disorder.

There are various online and offline support groups for patients with bipolar disorder and manic depression. Be sure you check some out to find the support you need when treating this complex and emotional disease.

Remember, there is hope. Bipolar patients are more a member of a large family than anything else.

Copyright 2006 Anne Arthur

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Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, has a very serious effect on the sufferer’s life. It also effects those closest to the patients in a detrimental way and getting treatment as soon as possible is paramount. Sufferers need the attention of physicians, psychiatrists and a close and supportive network of family and friends around to help. If you are a family member or a friend of a bipolar disorder sufferer then you will already know the effects it can have on a person and their everyday lives. Bipolar disorder does not mean that a person is always depressed and down, it means there mood will swing from very high or up to incredibly down and depressed. This swing in moods can be very difficult to judge and to cope with and can also have ill effects on the physical side of a patient.

There are medications known as mood stabilizers available and a person who suffers from bipolar disorder is likely to be prescribed these by their psychiatrist. They will normally have to take these for the rest of their lives because bipolar disease is recurrent. Sometimes other drugs are combined with mood stabilizers but this will probably only be over a short period of time.

Always be prepared for the worst. Don’t forget that bipolar disease will mean constant ups and downs and many patients try to commit suicide because they see it as their only way out. Be prepared and always be ready to call 911 if you think this is going to be the case. Don’t be afraid that you will be wasting their time if your family member or friend is just having a down day because if you don’t ring the consequences could be a lot worse.

If you or someone you know has a bipolar disease then it is recommended that you see a psychiatrist and not your general physician although your GP can refer you to a specialist in the field that will be in the best position to offer you the help, support and information you need to beat it.

Long term preventative treatment is likely to be required because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness. Stopping the medication or psychological treatment received can cause a regression to the mood swings associated with the disease.

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