Chapter 2: Bipolar
"Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).
When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts to mania or hypomania (less extreme than mania), you may feel euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable. These mood swings can affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior and the ability to think clearly.
Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any.
Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy).
more of these symptoms:
Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful (in children and teens, depressed mood can appear as irritability)
Marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all — or almost all — activities
Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite (in children, failure to gain weight as expected can be a sign of depression)
Either insomnia or sleeping too much
Either restlessness or slowed behavior
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide
Other features of bipolar disorder
Signs and symptoms of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders may include other features, such as anxious distress, melancholy, psychosis or others. The timing of symptoms may include diagnostic labels such as mixed or rapid cycling. In addition, bipolar symptoms may occur during pregnancy or change with the seasons.
Symptoms in children and teens
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be difficult to identify in children and teens. It's often hard to tell whether these are normal ups and downs, the results of stress or trauma, or signs of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder.
Children and teens may have distinct major depressive or manic or hypomanic episodes, but the pattern can vary from that of adults with bipolar disorder. And moods can rapidly shift during episodes. Some children may have periods without mood symptoms between episodes.
The most prominent signs of bipolar disorder in children and teenagers may include severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings.
When to see a doctor
Despite the mood extremes, people with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how much their emotional instability disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones and don't get the treatment they need.
And if you're like some people with bipolar disorder, you may enjoy the feelings of euphoria and cycles of being more productive. However, this euphoria is always followed by an emotional crash that can leave you depressed, worn out — and perhaps in financial, legal or relationship trouble.
If you have any symptoms of depression or mania, see your doctor or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder doesn't get better on its own. Getting treatment from a mental health professional with experience in bipolar disorder can help you get your symptoms under control.
When to get emergency help
Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common among people with bipolar disorder. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. Or contact a suicide hotline. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat. Services are free and confidential.
If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Causes:
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but several factors may be involved, such as:
Biological differences. People with bipolar disorder appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
Genetics. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder or act as a trigger for the first episode include:
Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar disorder
Periods of high stress, such as the death of a loved one or other traumatic event
Drug or alcohol abuse
Complications
Left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life, such as:
Problems related to drug and alcohol use
Suicide or suicide attempts
Legal or financial problems
Damaged relationships
Poor work or school performance
Co-occurring conditions
If you have bipolar disorder, you may also have another health condition that needs to be treated along with bipolar disorder. Some conditions can worsen bipolar disorder symptoms or make treatment less successful. Examples include:
Anxiety disorders
Eating disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Alcohol or drug problems
Physical health problems, such as heart disease, thyroid problems, headaches or obesity
Prevention
There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, getting treatment at the earliest sign of a mental health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening.
If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some strategies can help prevent minor symptoms from becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression:
Pay attention to warning signs. Addressing symptoms early on can prevent episodes from getting worse. You may have identified a pattern to your bipolar episodes and what triggers them. Call your doctor if you feel you're falling into an episode of depression or mania. Involve family members or friends in watching for warning signs.
Avoid drugs and alcohol. Using alcohol or recreational drugs can worsen your symptoms and make them more likely to come back.
Take your medications exactly as directed. You may be tempted to stop treatment — but don't. Stopping your medication or reducing your dose on your own may cause withdrawal effects or your symptoms may worsen or return."
-Mayo Clinic -
A BIPOLAR MIND
Yes, I have bipolar disorder.
Yes, I know it's difficult for me to stay on one topic instead of ten during a discussion.
Instead of getting angry with me, just remind me what the topic was we were discussing.
My brain does NOT process thoughts like yours.
TheMinds-Journal
MINDJOURNAL
"REAL TALK ABOUT DEPRESSION Bipolar Disorder"
People having a manic episode may:
Feel very "up," "high," or elated
Have a lot of energy
Have increased activity levels
Feel "jumpy" or "wired"
Have trouble sleeping
Become more active than usual
Talk really fast about a lot of different things
Be agitated, irritable, or "touchy"
Feel like their thoughts are going very fast
Think they can do a lot of things at once
Do risky things, like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex
People having a depressive episode may:
Feel very sad, down, empty, or hopeless
Have very little energy
Have decreased activity levels
Have trouble sleeping, they may sleep too little or too much
Feel like they can't enjoy anything
Feel worried and empty
Have trouble concentrating
Forget things a lot
Eat too much or too little
Feel tired or "slowed down"
Think about death or suicide".-Anon-
"I FEEL PASSIONATELY.
I SEE BRIGHT VIVID COLOR. I SEE DARKNESS.
I LIVE IN THE DEEPEST SADNESS AND THE MOST WONDERFUL HAPPINESS.
I LOVE DEEPLY.
I FEEL THE HIGHEST HIGHS AND LOWEST LOWS.
I HAVE DESPERATE EMPATHY
EMOTION IS MY CONSTANT STATE OF BEING.
I CRY HARD AND I LAUGH HARD. I LIVE EVERYDAY LIKE THERE WON'T BE A TOMORROW.
I AM BIPOLAR."-Anon
Did you Know?:
Bipolar Disorder
"Common Manic Stage Behaviors:
Unusual amounts of energy that effect mood and/or sleep * Uncharacteristic participation in high-risk activities that are likely to lead
to painful results, such as spending sprees, foolish investments. * Disconnected, racing thoughts
Common Depressive Stage Behaviors:
⚫ Excessive crying: constant fatigue and inertia * Loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities
⚫ Overwhelming feelings of despair, hopelessness, and helplessness
The moods of a person with bipolar disorder, which is also called manic depression, swing from periods of intense elation to periods of intense sadness
Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood
⚫Unlike other forms of depression, bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. Nearly one in every 100 people will experience the disorder at some time in their lives
The psychological basis for bipolar disorder is better understood than other forms of depression, making the illness one of the most effectively treated
⚫ Because of the genetic susceptibility to bipolar disorder, people who have a close relative with the condition are 10-20 times more likely to develop either depression or bipolar disorder than the general population
⚫ There is help: 70% or more of those patients with bipolar disorder respond well to medication that helps reduce the frequency and intensity of manic episodes. A combination of professional counseling and medication helps most patients return to productive and fulfilling lives".-Anon
A Bipolar Mind "I just want to walk right out of my life. No matter what I do, it's never good enough. The older I get, the more tired I am of people expecting more from me than I can give. I can't stand the chaos anymore. I truly believe I've been on enough medications to know that where I am is the best I'll ever be and it sucks knowing I've been cheated out of a better life. Worse than that, my family has had to pay the price as well. I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting to find happiness and peace of mind. For me, it has never come naturally. I'd trade the rest of my life for one week or even one day of knowing what it feels like to be happy and have a genuine love of life."-Anon
A Bipolar Mind
"When depression takes over and I
can't push through it, I have to close my door and shut the world out. It's the only way I know how to survive."-Anon
Mental Illness: What People See Versus What Is Actually Happening
What people see:
⚫Cutting people out or giving up on friendships
⚫ Laziness or not trying enough ⚫ Staying in bed all day
⚫Not listening or paying attention
⚫Being rude or having a bad attitude
⚫Purposely distant
⚫A flake-cancelling plans
⚫Being inactive and wasting life or 'work-shy' Not caring or being selfish
⚫Self isolating due to severity of illness & many other reasons
⚫ Fighting so hard but silently
⚫ Exhausted, fatigued or no energy
"Symptoms so bad it freezes the person to their bed Intrusive thoughts or voices - often louder than people talking.
⚫Constant worrying, ruminating or obsessing.
⚫Overwhelmed or numb, causing the mind to shut down.
⚫Brain fog, distracted, and concentration problems.
⚫Too ill to socialise or be around people ⚫Caring too much and unable to express 'normal' emotions."-Anon
"Bipolar is like being on a roller coaster ride. Sometimes you can predict drop offs and others you just have to hang on because the next turn sends you into an unexpected spiral.
Sometimes you are laughing and throwing your hands in the air and then other times you are clinging, simply holding on for dear life screaming at the top of your lungs."-Anon
Here's a color code system to quickly let someone know how you're doing. If you live with mental health issues, feel free to adopt this with your support system and allies. It can help when you can't describe how you're doing or you just want to protect your privacy. It could also help reduce support fatigue by helping allies recognize your needs better. 💚 Everything's OK. I'm maintaining.
💙I've had a rough day.
🫐Significant life event / stress. It may take longer time to cope.
💜I've been down for a while and I don't exactly know why..
💛I'm not doing well and I'd like someone to keep an eye on me / check-in regularly.
🧡I'm in crisis. Please call or come over right away.
♥️Call 911. I may hurt myself or others. Do NOT wait.
you are...BIPOLAR
"Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression. A person with bipolar disorder can swing from extreme mood states of invincible elation to paralysing despair and back again. This psychiatric illness can be mild, moderate or severe. During the manic phase, the person is optimistic and buoyed by exaggerated feelings of wellbeing. Their minds are overac- tive and they need very little sleep, but, while they have plenty of energy, they lack concentration. Work and study may suffer. During the depressive phase, the person feels despairing and may contemplate suicide."-Anon
12 Signals That Point to Bipolar Disorder
1. Trouble at Work
2. Irritability
3. Great Mood
4. Depression
5. Difficulty Completing Tasks
6. Unpredictable Behavior
7. Rapid Speech
8. Racing Thoughts
9. Sleep Issues
10. Mental Noise
11. Weight Changes
12. Alcohol or Drug Abuse
SPEAKINGBIPOLAR.COM
To all my friends and family:
"I have a mental illness called Bipolar Disorder. This means that sometimes I am very happy and energetic and sometimes I am very depressed and sad. I also can't control myself during really bad episodes. I may say or do something that irritates or upsets you. I may not stay in contact with you and I might avoid you. I don't mean to. The disorder takes over and kills my joy sometimes and I don't want to kill yours so I stay away. Please understand that this is an illness and doesn't completely define who I am. I would still like to be invited to spend time with you..I may need a little push though. Mostly I just need to not feel alone."-Anon
"I saw a post that said "I wasn't myself for months and nobody noticed". I felt that."-Anon
Checking-In With Someone Sounds Like:
❤️"Hey, I have to run some errands today. Do you want to join me?
❤️I thought about you earlier today. Want to grab a cup of coffee?
♥️ I know you've got a lot on your plate. Mind if I come by? We can go for a walk.
❤️Hey friend, I hope you're taking care of yourself."
@JourdanTravers
"MY BIROLAR DISORDER FEELS LIKE
Difficulty keeping a job because of my episodes
Reckless spending during hypomania
Feeling like an imposter when I've been stable a while
Questioning if I'm happy or manic sad, or depressed
Over-committing when I'm hypomanic, then regretting it when I'm depressed and can't finish it
Being self-destructive both when I'm hypomanic and "indestructible," & when I'm depressed to punish myself
Like I live in a house where the elevator is broken and will randomly shoot up into the sky or crash into the cement with no warning
People not understanding that regular happiness and sadness isn't comparable to bipolar episodes
Like I was born with self destruct button that I'm trying not to press".-Anon-
"Even when I'm in a really great, steady and stable place... I'm clinically bipolar, so that always exists - a darkness always exists.
MARY LAMBERT
"In the HYPER-MANIC state the bipolar brain is really speeded up like a person intoxicated on cocaine or amphetamine.
In the HYPO-MANIC state the brain is amped up like a person who's just drunk 5 coffees.
Bipolar syndrome is having episodes of these (intoxicated) highs and periods of depression.
The bipolar brain appears to lack the inbuilt self-regulating abilities non-bipolar "normal" brains have.
My system for mastering bipolar involves manually "tweaking" your own brain chemistry to keep it where you want it to be, lifting depression and capping the mania when it gets out of control."-Anon-
A BIPOLAR MIND
"Yes, I have bipolar disorder.
Yes, I know it's difficult for me to stay on one topic instead of ten during a discussion.
Instead of getting angry with me, just remind me what the topic was we were discussing.
My brain does NOT process thoughts like yours."
TheMinds-Journal
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