Bipolar disorder isn't just mood swings.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Definition
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
* Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
* Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
* Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.
* Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders— defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.
Manic episodes :
* 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
hypomanic episodes :
* Feel very sad, 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
So many people think bipolar is just mood swings but that's not it at all, you can't just generalise a mental illness into two words that's not possible. Don't talk about it if you don't understand it.
Four myths and misconceptions about bipolar
1. Myth: Bipolar means mood swings, like we all get.
Fact: The frequency and intensity of the characteristic behavior are the basic differences between a trait of someone with or without a mental illness. The mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are very different than those of people without the condition.
The mood swings of a person with bipolar are far more severe than a normal person sad about his favorite team losing or a person happy about an unexpected bonus from work. To someone suffering from bipolar the mood swings interfere with one or all important aspects of functioning. Work and school may be impacted adversely. Moreover, the mood swings are longer lasting, remaining weeks or even months after the events which provoked them are past.
So when we refer to bipolar disorder, we are not talking about good moods or bad moods. We are talking about two extremes of the mood dimension- mania (a feeling of elation that causes feelings of excitement and increased activity, to the point of making dangerous decisions) and depression, excessive sleep and lethargy. A range of symptoms exists- people with bipolar may not feel both the extremes for the same period of time, or may feel one for a prolonged amount of time with greater intensity.
2. Myth: For people with bipolar, all of their moods occur due to their condition.
Fact: One part of the personality does not influence all actions. For example, if a person is termed as aggressive by his peers, it does not mean that his anger will always be unmerited. Likewise, people with bipolar do have moods and feelings not related to their disorder. Any argument or misdeed should not be blamed on the disorder. Bipolar as a condition is treatable and can be stabilized, and the cause for grievances can be genuine.
3. Myth: Mania is productive.
Fact: Mania is a condition of a euphoric, elevated mood, feeling on the top of the world, with a marked increase in activity. In mild forms, this can allow the person to be more productive. But as the mania progresses, people tend to become irritable, making dangerous choices leading to disaster in multiple spheres of life- professional, personal or sexual. Lack of sleep is a common symptom, and the person slowly loses control over his actions and thoughts.
4. Myth: There is only one type of bipolar disorder.
Fact: People with bipolar disorder experience severe mood changes, however, exactly what the moods feel like, their intensity, and how long they last depends on the individual. As a result, several different types of bipolar disorder have been identified. They are known as Bipolar I (extreme manic episodes and depressive episodes), Bipolar II (hypomania, a milder form of mania, and severe depressive episodes), Cyclothymia (several hypomanic episodes and less severe episodes of depression), and Bipolar Disorder Otherwise Not Specified (which does not follow a particular pattern).
Bipolar disorder can be treated.
Treatments helpmany people even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. They can gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”). Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms.
Medications
Different types of medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. An individual may need to try several different medications before finding ones that work best.
Medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include:
* Mood stabilizers
* Atypical antipsychotics
* Antidepressants
A mental illness isn't something that just 'goes away' or that you 'get over' they are life long illnesses.
And as I've said in previous blogs, JUST BECAUSE YOU CANT SEE IT DOSNT MEAN IT IS NOT THERE
Things you can do to help someone with bipolar :
1. Spend quality face-to-face time with the person
2. Answer questions honestly
3. Don't take your loved one's bipolar symptoms personally
4. Emphasize the importance of sleep and stress management
5. Encourage the person to getand follow through with treatment
6. Learn about the illness and understand it.
Patience is key when it comes to dealing with someone who suffers with mental illness
People don't just get better over nighty.
It is a long long twisty road you have to travel with them, keep them reassured.
.Be patient with the pace of recovery and prepare for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process.
Keep in mind that you cannot exspect a quick recovery or permanent cure.
Mental illness is not always but slot of the time a life long one.
They may seem cured but they can relapse.
There may Be challenges and setbacks but with help they can manage it.
You red to be there for them, make sure they know you can talk to them.
Just don't be a fool. Their not just 'moody teens' or 'on their period' they have an illness.
More factual than my others but needed. I'm still only learning about ths illness So I cannot rant like I is usually would.
Be kind.
thanks for reading.
~lifeofShivy
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Definition
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
* Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
* Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
* Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.
* Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders— defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.
Manic episodes :
* 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
hypomanic episodes :
* Feel very sad, 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
So many people think bipolar is just mood swings but that's not it at all, you can't just generalise a mental illness into two words that's not possible. Don't talk about it if you don't understand it.
Four myths and misconceptions about bipolar
1. Myth: Bipolar means mood swings, like we all get.
Fact: The frequency and intensity of the characteristic behavior are the basic differences between a trait of someone with or without a mental illness. The mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are very different than those of people without the condition.
The mood swings of a person with bipolar are far more severe than a normal person sad about his favorite team losing or a person happy about an unexpected bonus from work. To someone suffering from bipolar the mood swings interfere with one or all important aspects of functioning. Work and school may be impacted adversely. Moreover, the mood swings are longer lasting, remaining weeks or even months after the events which provoked them are past.
So when we refer to bipolar disorder, we are not talking about good moods or bad moods. We are talking about two extremes of the mood dimension- mania (a feeling of elation that causes feelings of excitement and increased activity, to the point of making dangerous decisions) and depression, excessive sleep and lethargy. A range of symptoms exists- people with bipolar may not feel both the extremes for the same period of time, or may feel one for a prolonged amount of time with greater intensity.
2. Myth: For people with bipolar, all of their moods occur due to their condition.
Fact: One part of the personality does not influence all actions. For example, if a person is termed as aggressive by his peers, it does not mean that his anger will always be unmerited. Likewise, people with bipolar do have moods and feelings not related to their disorder. Any argument or misdeed should not be blamed on the disorder. Bipolar as a condition is treatable and can be stabilized, and the cause for grievances can be genuine.
3. Myth: Mania is productive.
Fact: Mania is a condition of a euphoric, elevated mood, feeling on the top of the world, with a marked increase in activity. In mild forms, this can allow the person to be more productive. But as the mania progresses, people tend to become irritable, making dangerous choices leading to disaster in multiple spheres of life- professional, personal or sexual. Lack of sleep is a common symptom, and the person slowly loses control over his actions and thoughts.
4. Myth: There is only one type of bipolar disorder.
Fact: People with bipolar disorder experience severe mood changes, however, exactly what the moods feel like, their intensity, and how long they last depends on the individual. As a result, several different types of bipolar disorder have been identified. They are known as Bipolar I (extreme manic episodes and depressive episodes), Bipolar II (hypomania, a milder form of mania, and severe depressive episodes), Cyclothymia (several hypomanic episodes and less severe episodes of depression), and Bipolar Disorder Otherwise Not Specified (which does not follow a particular pattern).
Bipolar disorder can be treated.
Treatments helpmany people even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder. They can gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”). Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms.
Medications
Different types of medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. An individual may need to try several different medications before finding ones that work best.
Medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include:
* Mood stabilizers
* Atypical antipsychotics
* Antidepressants
A mental illness isn't something that just 'goes away' or that you 'get over' they are life long illnesses.
And as I've said in previous blogs, JUST BECAUSE YOU CANT SEE IT DOSNT MEAN IT IS NOT THERE
Things you can do to help someone with bipolar :
1. Spend quality face-to-face time with the person
2. Answer questions honestly
3. Don't take your loved one's bipolar symptoms personally
4. Emphasize the importance of sleep and stress management
5. Encourage the person to getand follow through with treatment
6. Learn about the illness and understand it.
Patience is key when it comes to dealing with someone who suffers with mental illness
People don't just get better over nighty.
It is a long long twisty road you have to travel with them, keep them reassured.
.Be patient with the pace of recovery and prepare for setbacks and challenges. Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process.
Keep in mind that you cannot exspect a quick recovery or permanent cure.
Mental illness is not always but slot of the time a life long one.
They may seem cured but they can relapse.
There may Be challenges and setbacks but with help they can manage it.
You red to be there for them, make sure they know you can talk to them.
Just don't be a fool. Their not just 'moody teens' or 'on their period' they have an illness.
More factual than my others but needed. I'm still only learning about ths illness So I cannot rant like I is usually would.
Be kind.
thanks for reading.
~lifeofShivy
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