Explaining Bi-polar Disorder

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• Publisher: Straightforward Publishing Digital
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781847164131
• eBook ISBN: 9781847164544
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Psychiatry & Mental Health

Bi-polar disorder is the term used to describe what was once known as manic depressive illness. Bi-polar disorder is becoming more and more common, particularly in young adults, although people of all age ranges will suffer from the condition. This book, as with all the guides in the Explaining series aims to provide an insight into bi-polar disorder and explores the background to the condition, the symptoms and the various treatments on offer. It also explores the way those with this condition can help themselves through lifestyle modifications.

1

Introduction

This book is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the condition known as bipolar disorder. The book aims to be of use to those who have the condition and also family and friends who are affected by the condition.

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is the term used to describe what was once known as manic depression. Bipolar disorder causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking and behaviour.

Essentially, if you have bipolar disorder you will experience extreme swings in mood-from periods of hyperactivity, known as ‘mania’ or ‘manic episodes’ to deep depression. Some people also see or hear things around them that others don’t (known as visual or auditory hallucinations) or have uncommon, unshared beliefs (known as delusions). In periods of calm, usually through some form of medication, you will find yourself ‘level’ and behaving normally.

Signs and symptoms of bi-polar disorder

There are four types of mood episode in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression and mixed episodes.

Manic episodes

In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk very fast, sleep very little and are hyperactive Such a person may feel that they are all-powerful, invincible or destined for greatness.

To summarise, symptoms might include:

• A feeling of euphoria

• Feelings of restlessness

• Extreme irritability

• Talking very fast

• Racing thoughts

• lack of concentration

• Lots of energy

• A reduced need for sleep

• A sense of own importance

• Poor judgement

• Excessive and inappropriate spending

• Increased sexual drive

• Risky behaviour

• Misuse of drugs or alcohol

• Aggressive behaviour

While mania might feel good in the first instance, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. The aggressive side of mania can be a particular problem, picking fights, lashing out and so on.

Hypomania

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. people in a hypomanic state feel euphoric, energetic and productive, but they are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives and they never lose touch with reality. To others, it may seem that people with hypomania are in an unusually good mood. However, hypomania can result in bad decisions that can harm relationships with others and also harm careers and reputations. In addition, hypomania can also escalate to a full-blown mania.

Depression

In the past, bipolar depression was seen as general depression. Doctors couldn’t differentiate. However, a growing body of research suggests that there is a significant difference between the two, especially when it comes to recommended treatments. Whereas doctors tend to prescribe anti-depressants in many cases, these will not always help those with bipolar disorder. In fact, it has been proved that they can make the condition worse, triggering mania.

Despite many similarities, certain symptoms are more common in bipolar depression than in regular depression. For example, bipolar depression is more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings and restlessness. People with bipolar depression also tend to move and speak slowly, sleep a lot and gain weight. In addition, they are more likely to develop psychotic depression-a condition where a person loses contact with reality and also to experience major problems with social functioning, which can affect work. Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

• Feeling hopeless, sad or empty

• Irritability

• Inability to experience pleasure

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Physical or mental sluggishness

• Appetite or weight changes

• Sleep problems

• Concentration and memory problems

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Thoughts of death or suicide

Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder, as its name suggests, is where a person will exhibit symptoms of both mania, hypomania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, distractibility and racing thoughts. This combination of moods makes for a very high risk of suicide.

Different types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is further categorized as:

• Bipolar 1 disorder, which is mania or mixed episode. This is the classic manic-depressive form of the illness, characterized by at least one manic or mixed episode. Usually, but not in all cases, bipolar 1 will involve at least one episode of depression.

• Bipolar 2 disorder (hypomania and depression). In bipolar 2 disorder the person doesn’t experience full blown manic episodes. Instead the illness involves a mixture of hypomania and severe depression.

• Cyclothymia (hypermania and mild depression). Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder. It consists of cyclical mood swings. However, the symptoms are less severe than full-blown mania or depression.

Length and frequency of episodes

A person may have very few bipolar disorder episodes, with years of stability in between each episode. However, they may also experience many more. Episodes can vary in length and frequency from weeks to months, with varying lengths of time in between.

Mania usually starts suddenly and lasts between two weeks and four to five months. Depression often lasts longer, on average around six months, but can last longer, but usually less than a year.

Although a person may cope very well in between episodes, they may experience low-level symptoms in these relatively ‘stable’ periods which can impact on daily life.

What causes bipolar disorder?

Like a lot of other conditions, for example, Parkinson’s, very little is known about the sources of bipolar disorder. However, it does run in families, which suggests a genetic link. On the other hand, there may not be a family link and the origin may lie elsewhere. This is one of the problems with diagnosing the causes of bipolar disorder. Unless the link is obvious then the origins remain obscure. The disorder is diagnosed in a roughly equal number of men or women. It usually starts in the 20’s and 30’s, although it can also start as a teenager.

The fact that symptoms can be controlled by medication, especially lithium and anticonvulsants (see chapter 3) suggests that there may be problems with the functions of the nerves in the brain. This is supported by research. Disturbances in the endocrine system (controlling hormones) may also be involved.

Most research suggests that a stressful environment, social factors, or physical illness may trigger the condition. Although stress is unlikely to cause bipolar disorder, it seems to be a significant trigger. A person may find that the start of bipolar episodes can be linked to a period of great stress, such as childbirth, a relationship breakdown, money problems or a career change. Sleep disturbance can be an important contributor.

Childhood distress

Some experts believe that a person may develop bipolar disorder if they experienced severe emotional damage in early life, such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Grief, loss trauma and neglect can be contributory factors-they can shock the developing mind and produce unbearable stress.

General problems in life

It is also very possible that bipolar disorder can be a reaction to overwhelming problems in day-to-day life. Mania can be a way of escaping unbearable depression. For example, if a person appears to have very over-inflated sense of one’s own self-importance and place in society, they may be compensating for a severe lack of self-confidence and lack of self-esteem.

Childhood bi-polar disorder

Childhood bipolar disorder, also known as pediatric bipolar disorder, is a form of bipolar disorder that occurs, as its name suggests, in children. While its existence is still a matter of some academic debate and disagreement, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that bipolar disorder can exist in children.

Unlike most adults who have bipolar disorder, however, children who have pediatric bipolar disorder are characterized by abrupt mood swings, periods of hyperactivity followed by lethargy, intense temper tantrums, frustration and defiant behavior. This rapid and severe cycling between moods may produce a type of chronic irri...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Ch 1. Introduction
• Ch 2. Bi-polar Disorder-Support and Self-help-Taking Control of Your Situation
• Ch 3. Treatment for Bi-polar Disorder-Medication
• Ch 4. Professional Help and Support
• Ch 5. More about behavioural therapies
• Ch 6. Dealing With Stigma and Shame
• Ch 7. Bipolar Disorder and Vicious Cycles
• Ch 8. Assertiveness-the Importance of Being Assertive in the Control of Vicious Cycles
• Ch 9. The Risks of Sleep Loss
• Ch 10. Bipolar Disorder-Family Issues
• Ch 11. Bipolar disorder and diet
• Ch 12. Rights in the workplace
• Ch 13. Welfare Benefits and Bipolar Disorder
• Conclusion
• Useful addresses and websites
• Index