Bipolar World Bipolar Advantage What Is Bipolar? | Types, Symptoms, Treatment Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the “poles”—mania (highs) and depression (lows). The change in mood can last for hours, days, weeks, or months. What bipolar is not Bipolar disorder is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness. Who bipolar disorder affects Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. An equal number of men and women develop this illness. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Types of bipolar disorder Different types of bipolar disorder are determined by patterns and severity of symptoms of highs and lows. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes that last at least a week or require hospitalization. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode.
How to Recognize a Manic Episode or Hypomanic Episode of Bipolar Disorder If someone you know has or may have bipolar disorder, you need to know the signs that point to a manic or hypomanic episode. If you see a group of these behaviors, you (if possible and appropriate) or the individual in question should contact a doctor. Going to an emergency room may be the right choice, depending on how extreme the behavior is. Keep a notebook just for recording manic (and depressive) symptoms. Note: Most symptoms are shared between mania and hypomania. Make note of any changes in sleeping patterns, especially if your friend or loved one has lots of energy on just a few hours of sleep. Tips: Make a pact with your friend that if you bring these manic behaviors to his attention, he will contact his doctor. This is not an exhaustive list of manic symptoms.
LucidInterval.org - A Self-Management Guide for Bipolar Disorder Mania Manic Episode Several elements must be present to diagnose a manic episode. First, there must be a distinct period during which there are marked changes in mood—abnormally elevated (on top of the world), expansive (flamboyant, filters off), or irritable—and goal-directed activity or energy level. Next, the uncharacteristic behavior or mood must last at least a week, or require hospitalization. • inflated self-esteem or grandiosity • decreased need for sleep (for example, feeling rested after just a few hours’ sleep) • more talkative or sociable than usual, or pressure to keep talking • flight of ideas or the feeling that thoughts are racing • easily distracted by unimportant or irrelevant things • Increase in activity levels, either goal-directed (such as taking on new projects or socializing more) or a restless busyness • plunging into reckless activities like buying sprees, promiscuity or high-risk business deals Hypomanic Episode Major Depressive Episode
Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder PsychEducation.org (home) Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: The Controversies[Updated 2/2014 with ISBD review. Controversy 3 updated in September 2009; all else is older. Reviewed for accuracy in October 2012] This page has been maintained for nearly 5 years. Unfortunately, most of the controversies below remain controversial. The bottom line overall here: antidepressants may carry much more risk for people with bipolar disorder than is generally recognized. However, antidepressants may pose bigger risks in the long term. Therefore, considerable caution should be used before starting an antidepressant in a patient with bipolar disorder. Finally, some patients clearly do better if they stay on an antidepressant. Page outline International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force recommendations: you might just want to read this and stop there! Controversy "zero": Do antidepressants even work in bipolar depression? Controversy 2a: Do antidepressants cause rapid cycling? 1. 2. 3.
5 Simple Strategies to Reclaim Your Sleep During Daylight Saving Time Photo: Pexels.com By April Michael I really have a love/hate relationship with Daylight Saving Time (DST). When I was younger, I always got excited about the “spring forward” since it means longer daylight hours and that summer is just around the corner. As I got older, though, and particularly after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, DST meant my already tenuous sleep patterns would take a further beating. Somewhat counterintuitively, my manias always lined up with fall and winter, while my depressions lined up with spring and summer. So how do you maintain your mental health during the clock change, whether you’re stable or in a depressive or manic episode? As you probably well know, maintaining good sleep hygiene is a crucial part of maintaining good mental health, particularly in the case of bipolar disorder. Scientists have found a link between lack of sleep and increased risk of relapse for people with bipolar disorder. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read more: