Bipolar Disorder Uncovered

A Close Look at Trileptal for Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

"There is a solution to every problem."

When you or a loved one is inflicted with bipolar disorder, you think that there is no end to keeping things in order. It seems that answers to your dilemma have far-fetched solutions. Yet, there is a key to every faced dilemma, it may not be too soon but there is.

These days, common symptoms such as excessive and uncontrollable moods can be prevented with Trileptal.

Scientifically, Trileptal is referred to as "oxcarbazepine." Trileptal is a medication suited to stabilize the mood. It is also an "anticonvulsant" drug. This medication is principally utilized to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Physical Characteristics of Trileptal

There are four types of Trileptal depending on the patient's dosage need. Among the different types of Trileptal, three are tablets. All tablets have a line in the middle which is commonly referred to as "breakline." All tablets come in Blister pack.

The least tablet dosage is Trileptal 150 mg. This type of tablet can be distinguished by its pale gray green tablet with initials T D on one side and C G on the other side.

Three hundred (300) mg is the next dosage after Trileptal 150. It is a yellow tablet with initials TE TE on one side and CG CG on the other.

The highest Trileptal dosage is 600 mg. The tablet is notable by its light pink color. It also has CG CG initials on one side and TF TF on the other side.

Another type of Trileptal is the oral suspension. It is stored in an amber glass bottle wherein the suspension is off-white to reddish brown in color.

Side Effects of Trileptal

Like any other medications, Trileptal also have side effects. Some common side effects are giddiness, sleepiness, double and irregular vision, exhaustion, vomiting, lose of balance, stomach pains and indigestion, and shivering.

Pregnant women must be cautious in taking Trileptal since studies show that there is a possibility for the unborn child to develop birth defects.

There are individuals taking Trileptal who reports that they experience a "sedative effect" when this medication is taken with alcohol and painkillers. In addition, some patients also observe weight gain.

Some uncommon side effect of Trileptal is decrease in blood sodium wherein you may experience less passing of urine, headache, puzzlement, weakness and on extreme cases convulsions and coma.

There are those who may experience the following rare side effects of Trileptal:
? Angioedema – this is a condition wherein the skin and voice box swells due to an allergic reaction.
? Encephalopathy – this is a brain disorder which causes perplexity, loss of memory and on some extreme cases, personality alteration.
? Erythema multiforme – this is a condition where the skin develops red and purple patches due to inflammation.
? Lymphadenopathy – this causes the lymph glands to swell which is visible under the arms, in the jaw and groin area.
? Stevens Johnson syndrome – this is a very uncommon side effect wherein the blisters develop in the eyes. On some cases, bleeding occurs in the eyes.

When Not To Use Trileptal

Not all individuals can be relieved by Trileptal. There are those who are sensitive to this type of medication such as individuals:

? With kidney problems
? With heart problems
? With liver problems
? With intolerance to fructose
? Allergic to "carbamazepine"
? With very low level of sodium in the blood

Hence it is wise to consult your physician before taking Trileptal to prevent other uneventful things to happen.

How to Store Trileptal

Proper storage is important since it will help your medicines to be kept in its best condition. You need to read instructions on the label of your Trileptal medicine before you use it.

You are required to keep the medication in a place away from children's reach. A locked medicine cabinet is a good place to store this medicine. The oral suspension should be utilized within seven weeks after first usage.

Equally important is using the drug before its expiration date.

Trileptal may be the solution you are seeking to give you or a loved one temporary relief from bipolar disorder. In your hands is the responsibility when you take this medication. No harm is done when you know how to properly use the medicines you are taking, especially if it is a medication to stabilize your mood.

Trastorno Bipolar: You and Your Mental Health

2009-06-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Your mental health is an important factor that affects the way you live your daily life. You have to realize that the brain is one of the most important organs of the human body and it is needed in order to live a normal and productive life. However, there are some cases where the brain suffers from disorders and in turn, it can affect some aspects of your daily activity, such as your motor skills.

One kind of brain disorder is called Trastorno bipolar or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that can affect your way of thinking, your emotions and your different moods. What bipolar disorder does is it cycles your manic and depressive moods. Normally people experience moments of mania and depression because of their environment. It is a normal body behavior and reaction to their environment. However, bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness that will render your moods out of control. A person suffering from bipolar disorder will experience excessive mania where they feel that they are very powerful and energetic and they will also feel excessive depression, where in some cases, some thinks about death and suicide.

The manic and depressive cycles occur at intervals and one affected will feel energetic or depressed for no reason at all. During the manic episodes of bipolar disorder, the person affected will feel as if they are on top of the world, they have ideas popping out of their head and they will often experience racing thoughts. The racing thoughts is not just all about thinking very fast, but it is also comprised of not stopping to think. You will your own voice repeating something you said in the past, you will hear fragments of music, see fragments of movies you saw, and you will also hear conversations you had over and over again.

One will also feel very energetic and thinks that they don’t need sleep at all.

When the depressive episode occurs in bipolar disorder, the person affected will experience a depressive mood. They will feel excessively sad, and they will also feel loneliness and hopelessness. They will also feel tired and constantly in need of sleep and in severe cases of bipolar disorder, some people will even think about death and suicide and often attempts the latter.

Because of the symptoms associated with this mental disorder, the person affected cannot concentrate on their daily activities. It can negatively affect performance at work or at school and can cause relationship problems. People with bipolar disorder find it hard to make and keep friends and relationships because of their unusual behavior.

As you can see, bipolar disorder is a very serious illness that needs to be carefully managed and treated. You have to consider that there is no known cure for this disorder and the theories regarding the causes of bipolar disorder are not entirely solid. Some theories suggest that bipolar disorder is genetic while others have claimed that it is caused by drug and alcohol abuse. This is a lifetime illness that needs long term treatment.

The treatment will include psychotherapy combined with special medications that can reduce the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. During therapy, the psychiatrist will teach the person affected with the disorder ways to control their emotions and moods. The family members of the affected individual will also be informed about the disorder and will be taught on how to cope with it. Usually, there are certain drugs prescribed that can help in reducing the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

As you can see, the treatment for bipolar disorder will also require the family members of the affected individual to participate. They will be able to contribute a lot on the treatment process and family support is often the key to controlling the illness.

In time, with the patient as well as the family actively participating in the treatment process, the individual affected with bipolar disorder can cope with the illness effectively. They will be able to lead a normal and productive life where they can control their emotions and moods effectively.

Always remember that treatment for bipolar disorder is not often easy. It requires patience and dedication in order for the person affected to effectively manage their mental disorder.

Episodes Symptom of Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-15T17:56:00.001-07:00

Not all illnesses are easily detected. Though for some people this might not sound alarming, those individuals who want to secure their lives as well as their families are constantly searching for the right answers. They don’t hesitate to seek medical help to ensure that they get the proper treatment and/or medication.

One of the prevailing disorders that many people suffer from is manic depression. But today, this is popularly called bipolar disorder. The patient, family, relatives, or friends may not be aware of this disorder, as it is not detected easily. During the early stages, the symptoms can be manifested with the use of drugs, alcohol intake, and poor work/school performance. If the disorder remains untreated, it can lead to full-blown bipolar disorder with minor or major episodes.

Usually, the early sign which shows that a person has bipolar disorder may be a hypomania state. The person exhibits high levels of energy, irritability, excessive moodiness, and recklessness or impulsiveness; and that person feels good about it. Though family members and friends may notice these behaviors, the person will only deny that something's wrong.

A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder oftentimes has episodes. These episodes are divided into four types: depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed mood. Each episode exhibits different symptoms. Below is the detailed information about the symptoms of bipolar disorder based on episodes.

Depression Symptoms

· Always feeling sad
· Sleeps too much or too little
· Feels hopeless, guilty, and worthless
· Loses interest in certain things like sex
· Change in appetite or weight
· Feels restless and tired
· Can't make effective decisions
· Can't concentrate
· Thinks about suicide or death

These symptoms happen consistently for about two weeks. The moods exhibited should represent an actual change in the individual's normal mood. The depressed mood happens in most time of the day, and the loss of interest in the usual things is strongly marked. All the other symptoms usually occur every single day. Psychomotor retardation or agitation is also noted everyday. The person's social, educational, or occupational functioning is impaired because of the symptoms.

Mania Symptoms

· Increased levels of energy
· Thoughts jump or race
· Sleeps less
· Talkative and self-confident unlike before
· Accomplishes very little
· Easily distracted
· Does extreme or risky activities

These symptoms are easily noted and the feelings are too severe that all aspects like emotional and social are greatly affected. The person will have difficulty in coping with his or her situation that oftentimes, his or her personal life is sacrificed. Not only is the patient affected, but also the family members, friends, and co-workers.

Aside from the depression and manic symptoms, there are still two other episode types. The hypomania is usually characterized by a persistently expansive, elevated, and irritable mood. This can last for a couple of days, four days at the most, and the change in mood is very different form his usual mood. This is not a severe episode and therefore can't cause impairment to a person's life although some of the symptoms will come as a shock to friends and co-workers.

The mixed episode is characterized by both depressive and manic episode every day. And this usually happens for a week.

Since bipolar disorder cannot be detected easily, you must be observant of the things happening around you. A lot of people are not aware that they have the illness, or are afraid to accept such fact. What the person should do is to take action. He must consult a medical professional or a specialist that can diagnose his condition accurately.

Only a specialist in the medical field can give you the right diagnosis, as well as the right medication or treatment. Don’t hesitate or be ashamed of your condition. Bipolar disorder can't be cured, but there are ways to control it. After you've found the best medication or treatment that will work for you, then you can reclaim your normal life back.

Remember, if you or a family member remains untreated, the condition will only become worse. So why wait until things worsen? Act now and with the help of your loving family members and friends, you can easily cope up with the situation and live a happy and normal life.

Different Scenarios of Bipolar Disease Symptom

2009-06-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

If someone asks you to describe a bipolar disorder, you should manage to explain to him or her without any confusion. Bipolar disorder is always associated with mood alterations from depression to mania or vice versa. But the truth is that the main characteristic and symptoms of a bipolar disorder lies in its ability to bend times in ways wherein even Einstein never comprehends.

The scenario of such mental disorder is similar to a traffic situation wherein cars are stuck bumper to bumper. The world becomes slow moving and people are dull-witted from accommodating you. If another person takes advantage of the situation, you might feel very frustrated and burst out an occasional rage.

At the beginning, you are sure to experience getting in and out of the traffic as you manage to leave the cars behind you. However, you can see more cars so close with each other on the other end also having difficulty to move. Although you are starting your engine so hard, still you end up banging your head on the dashboard in desperation because you cannot run the highway freely.

The situation can also be the exact opposite. You are currently standing still. Then your mind becomes occupied with a particular activity, later on you will find out that switching off to another activity became very impossible. You can see yourself standing under a shower and waiting till the waters run cold or just staring off into space. In some cases, leaving your bed when you wake up is very difficult.

The ratio of the time between the affected and normal person is 1:2, provided that everything is right. A person with bipolar disorder can produce faster, and react faster. If you were the battler facing the pitcher, you can picture out in your mind the ball that is approaching you, from there, you can already calculate the ball's trajectory. Then during the actual batting, you can successfully give the ball a rewarding smack.

However, these things don't stay constant. Certainly, the clock will speed up or wind down. During the speedy mode, you swing towards the ball too early, but still you have time to cope up with missed bats doing the batting over and over again. Then you burst out your rage thinking that the ball is taking so long to approach you. Now, your focus is not anymore on the ball but on your anger. You can release it on the bat, on the ground, and worse on the person closest to you.

Nothing is going right into your mind. Every tree, every rock, and every thing God has put on earth have completely turned against you. People around you have plot something in making your life miserable. Computers already developed new methods of throwing up numbers, error codes, and changes its values right before your eyes. And because you cannot get hold of what you think is happening you end up just crying.

You still never forget those moments of standing still, those times under your covers and showers as well as during your most energetic activity. In your mind everything is possible, thus space are not enough to accommodate everything you have planned to do. The sun may take its leave, hot coffee may turn stone cold, or booming music may turn mute. Thus you could experience a new world you completely owned.

These characteristics or symptoms can be specifically called as bichronicity instead of bipolar disorder or manic depression. A bichronic person can experience time in its full spectrum from standing still to warp speed. Time never moves in a directed path making the life of a person very unpredictable. There are instances that you can outsmart even the slickest person in town but in some situation failed to answer even a simple question. You can become the star one day and on the next day a total embarrassment. Sometimes you are hyper productive then becomes too lazy. You can start something big then later dropped it.

No matter how worse the scenes may become, don't lose hope because treatment can alleviate symptoms of a bipolar disorder. However, it is a slow process that needs your cooperation. You need to adjust so that alarming warp speed and standing still times can be reduced.

Code Signs for Bipolar Disorder Patients: What You Need To Know

2009-06-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Most of the time, there are people who are caught off-guard by written notes from a physician since they can barely understand the writings. On some occasions, unless you ask, your physician will not explain in detail what you or your caregiver should know. There are even instances when physicians only inscribe codes. This is true when you are a patient with bipolar disorder. Commonly, mental health experts use codes to interpret their findings.

Psychiatrists habitually scribble codes in your records. Knowing the codes by heart will help you or your caregiver to understand and gauge the pertinent actions to undertake.

Codes are arranged by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). DSM is the typical categorization of mental disorders utilized by psychiatrists or other mental health experts.

For bipolar disorder, there are chiefly three important codes such as codes for mood disorders, codes for substance induced mood disorders and code extensions for psychotic features.

Codes for Mood Disorders

There are several code categories under "codes for mood disorders."

If a patient has a sole "manic episode" and there is no history of major depressive episodes then mental health experts usually interpret in under code 296.0x (F30.x).

A patient with bipolar disorder who experiences a "hypomanic episode" in progress and had at least one incident of manic or mixed episode then it is categorized as code 296.40 (F31.0).

The code 296.4x (F31.x) is characterized in patients who suffers from a current manic episode who have undergone major depressive, manic or mixed episodes.

A patient with Bipolar I Disorder and have occurrences of mixed episodes and experienced any of major depressive, manic or mixed episodes falls into code 296.6x (F31.6).

If a patient has major depressive episode and has a history of having manic or mixed episodes then mental health experts categorize this under code 296.5x (F31.x).

The code 296.7 (F31.9) is being written down for patients who experience any of the following: mixed, manic, hypomanic or major depressive episodes. Along with the criteria, the patient suffered from at least one mixed or manic episode.

Bipolar II Disorder can either be hypomania or depressed, has a code of 296.89 (F31.8) wherein the patient has more than one attack of major depressive episodes or at least one episode of hypomanic. Under this category, you must take note that there was never an attack of manic or mixed episode.

Codes for Substance Induced Mood Disorder

Mental health experts came up with codes to gauge measurable substances which heighten mood disorder.

If a patient has alcohol intake which can stimulate mood disorder, then mental health experts interpret this as code 291.8 (F10.8). Ingestion of cocaine, on the other hand have code 292.84 (F14.8).

Inhalants can also incite mood disorder, when this happens it is being regarded as code 292.84 (F18.8). Aside from inhalants, some sedatives can also stir up mood disorder. Mental health experts code sedatives as 292.84 (F13.8).

For further information on codes for substance-induced mood disorder, you can check with your physician. It is important for patients as well as caregivers to know what substance triggers their temper so that preventive ways can be sought.

Code Extensions for Psychotic Features

On this type of code, it will be regarded into two categories (1) severe without psychotic episodes; and (2) severe with psychotic episodes.

A patient with Bipolar I Disorder having the most current manic episode has codes 296.43 (F31.1) and 296.44 (F31.2) for severe without and severe with psychotic episodes respectively.

The code 296.63 is for regarded for patients with severe disorder without psychotic episodes for patients with Bipolar I Disorder who have current experience of mixed episodes. On the other hand, 296.64 is the code for patients with severe disorder having psychotic episodes.

A patient who have depressed episodes with Bipolar I Disorder has a code 296.53 (F31.4) if he has severe disorder with no psychotic episodes while 296.54 (F31.5) is the code for patients have severe disorder but with psychotic episodes.

The meanings of codes are not simply for the medical practitioners to know. The patient should be knowledgeable of such codes for him to understand the course of his illness. Equally important is for caregivers to also acquire information with regards to different Bipolar Disorder codes so that they will properly take good care of their patients.

Tough yet Rewarding Ways on Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-13T17:53:00.001-07:00

Giving unconditional love for bipolar disorder patients is a tough job. It is not easy to express love when you are being turned away from, disrespected or even ill-treated. It is never easy to lend a hand to those who think grandiosely of himself. Most importantly, it is never simple to care and understand someone who has disorganized thoughts and feelings.

In-depth understanding of the illness is the primary aspect you need to undertake. If you do not understand what is happening to your loved one, then you will have difficulty relating to them.

After you have gone through the understanding and assessing specifics of bipolar disorder of your loved one, then it is time to devise a plan wherein you should workout the problems.

You need to recognize symptoms.

It is not the fault of your loved one why he is inflicted with bipolar disorder that is the one thing you should take into account. He does not have control of his actions or of his feelings.

You need learn to recognize the many symptoms of bipolar disorder. Does he have sleeping problems? Why is he getting too much or too little sleep?

It is important to observe his moods, his actions and the way he relates to people. Jot it down so you know when and where it occurred so you have a basis to present.

When you perceive that the symptoms can be most likely bipolar disorder, do not be embarrassed.

Do not think of the illness as humiliation.

To love someone knows no illness. Bipolar disorder is not an illness where you should cast off or put your loved one into shame. This type of disorder can be treated just like any other diseases.

If you will feel ashamed of your loved one because he is inflicted with such illness, then you are not helping him restore his good health, instead you are letting him do worse than expected.

Build trust.

Trust is essential to individuals with bipolar disorder. They need you to trust them, not entrust them to other people or institutions such as the psychiatrists or an asylum.

There will be times that you will feel that you cannot deal with your loved one anymore that you will be tempted to call the doctor for him to be fetched because you do not want to take care of them. Never let them hear you say those words because it will just aggravate the situation.

To build up trust, an open and honest communication is needed.

Keep the communication line open.

Once you acknowledged the symptoms, and then ask yourself what you can do. However thinking of good ways to help your loved ones is not always the best way. You may think it is good but it may not really be helpful to the patient. Hence, it is needed that you communicate with the patient.

An open and honest communication is vital. Encourage your loved one to talk about what he thinks and feels. Let him suggest ways on how you are supposed to relate to him.

Do not suppress what you feel. However, there are positive ways to let your loved know how you feel. It is recommended that you avoid nagging, preaching or lecturing an individual with bipolar disorder. Such negative actions will drive him to detach. If you are concerned about him, let him see how concerned you are in a gentle and encouraging manner.

Let him do his way.

Family members or friends usually ends up wanting to serve his loved one afflicted with bipolar disorder. You begin to do every work he intends to do. You start to make things he is supposed to construct. Do not do such things.

Along with trust and communication, let the person experience what he can do for himself. Let him solve problems he can find solutions. Let him live the way he is supposed to live. By that, he will feel that he is important and has a good reason why he lives.

Be there.
Although you allow him to do his own way, it does not mean that you will not be there when he needs you to. Let him do his way but make sure that you are around to give assistance when needed.

Most importantly, apart from assistance, you need to offer your love, understanding and support.

Considering a Long-Term Medication for Bipolar? Choose LAMICTAL

2009-06-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Bipolar is a disorder that many people all over the world suffer from; some are already diagnosed with the disease but a lot of undiagnosed cases are also noted. What people should know is that bipolar disorder can worsen if it remains untreated. And therefore, those individuals who think that they have the disorder must seek medical attention at once to get the proper treatment and medication.

Having episodes is but natural for a person having bipolar disorder. Though it may not bother the individual, his or her family members and friends may be gravely affected by it. Your doctor can prescribe medications to control or treat the current episode symptoms. Medications for bipolar patients may be for short term only, but now, the FDA has approved a particular medication that is intended for long term treatments.

The medication is called LAMICTAL. This medication is especially for adults with bipolar I. Clinical studies have shown that LAMICTAL prevents mood episodes for extended periods. Although it may not remove initial mania or depression feelings, preventing the episodes from occurring is already for the good of the patient.

Only your doctor can tell if LAMICTAL is the right medication for you. Long term studies on bipolar showed that the medication delays time until the mood episodes need additional treatment. Depression symptoms last longest and LAMICTAL is quite effective in delaying it. If you want a long term medication that offers stability for about eighteen months, LAMICTAL may be for you.

You must remember that this medication is not offered for all bipolar patients. Those patients using LAMICTAL can tolerate the medication. Some were able to experience side effects like headache, dizziness, double or blurred vision, sleepiness, nausea, lacks coordination, vomiting, rash and insomnia. There are also cases when patients require hospitalization due to severe skin reactions; but this is very rare and happens mostly with children.

LAMICAL is best prescribed for people 18 years and older, and is used as a standard therapy. You must be warned that the effectiveness of this medication is not yet established.

How can you start using LAMICTAL? It's quite easy especially if your doctor thinks that the medication will work for you. Kits are available which makes it easier for you to follow the course of your medication. If you want to achieve the best results, make sure that you take the medication as prescribed. And it is important to bear these things in mind:

1. Your doctor will let you start using LAMICTAL whether you're having an episode or not, since the medication is specifically for delaying episodes and not as an on-the-spot treatment.
2. Your doctor will prescribe a low dose at first which will gradually increase over time.
3. If you experience any problems or side effects, inform y our doctor immediately.
4. You can only experience full effect after several weeks of using LAMICTAL. If during the initial period of taking the medication you experience distressing experiences and thoughts, inform your doctor immediately or go to a hospital. In the event that your mood episodes worsen, contact your doctor.

If you're out to buy LAMICTAL, make sure that you receive the right medication. Getting the wrong medication can cause serious problems. Always check and read the labels.

When you're using LAMICTAL, or any medication for that matter, make sure that you follow your plan. Bipolar disorder is already a condition that you're bound to suffer all your life. When you're already feeling well and better, that doesn’t mean that you can stop medication.

If in case you've stopped taking the medication because of a valuable reason, consult your doctor right away and don’t restart without getting help first. Remember to stick with your dose, don’t increase or decrease it unless otherwise specified indicated by your doctor.

It is also necessary to keep track of the symptoms and the side effects (if any), and report any problems that you encounter. It would be best to have a mood chart to track your moods, sleep, and side effects. Every time you visit your doctor, don’t forget to bring the chart.

Precautions should also be observed for people having an allergic reaction to LAMICTAL. If you're planning for your pregnancy or is already pregnant, or planning to take hormonal products like pills prior to taking the medication, you must inform your doctor first.

Your aim in taking any medication is to be able to live a normal life again, and this can only happen with the right treatment and medication.

Depakote and Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

Every single day, you can see a lot of people going to and from drugstores. Different medicines are used to address different kinds of illnesses and diseases. There are over-the-counter medicines that you can buy without any prescriptions. But some regulated drugs need the proper prescription before you can purchase them.

Not all illnesses can be given just about any medicine. Different conditions require different types of treatment and medications. Just to be sure that you're on the safe side, consult a doctor before taking any medication. You must be aware now that there are individuals that abuse certain drugs, and this can lead to undesirable situations. And if you're suffering from bipolar disorder, what you really need is the help of a medical professional who knows a great deal about the illness.

There are several medications available for bipolar disorder. The most common are mood stabilizers. Valproic acid is usually given to bipolar patients, and there are a few brand names that sell this medication including Depakene and Depakote.

Depakote is a brand name of valproic acid. It is considered an anticonvulsant that doctors usually prescribe as mood stabilizers for bipolar patients. Valproic acid is a very effective medication for bipolar, however, it has certain side effects like divalproex sodium.

The side effects can be divided into the common ones and the less common. In any case, you should always verify with the doctor especially if the side effects are bothersome and continues on.

Common Side Effects

- Mild stomach or abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Change in your menstrual cycle
- Indigestion
- Loss of hair and appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unusual weight gain or loss
- Trembling of arms and hands

Less Common

- Unsteadiness or clumsiness
- Constipation
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Changes in mood, behavior, and mental
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Restlessness
- Unusual excitement
- Irritability
- Uncontrolled eye movements
- Increased seizures
- Weakness and tiredness
- Eye spots or yellow eyes (and skin)
- Bruising and unusual bleeding
- Swelling of the face

The list only includes the most commonly experienced side effects of bipolar patients. If you feel other side effects not included in the list, then you must inform your doctor immediately.

Pharmacology

Depakote or valproic acid increases the brain concentration of GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid thereby acting as an anticonvulsant. But its action mechanism is not yet established and the effect is also unknown with regards to the neuronal membrane.

Depakote is administered orally and is rapidly absorbed. A single dose can give peak levels of serum after four hours, and its half-life ranges from 6-16 hours. Patients taking antiepileptic drugs together with Depakote will have a lower serum half-life.

If Depakote is administered amid meals, a minor delay can occur in the absorption of the valproic acid, and is quickly distributed in the body since it is bound strongly to plasma proteins. Protein binding may be decreased by increasing the dose. If Depakote needs to be used as a therapeutic drug, the concentration must only be about 50-100 mcg per ml. At present, good correlation between serum levels, therapeutic effect, and daily dose, is yet to be established.

The therapy must be instituted at periodic intervals at first because there have been reports about platelet aggregation and thrombocytopenia inhibition. The bleeding time and platelet counts should also be determined.

When your doctor prescribes Depakote, you must follow all instructions pertaining to dosage and administration carefully. This is essential to avoid over dosage. Some patients ended in coma with the improper use of valproic acid. Since valproic acid is rapidly absorbed, there may be limited value of gastric lavage. Supportive measure must be applied to prevent hypovolemia and make sure that your urinary output is maintained.

Bipolar disorder requires medication as part of the treatment. Valproic acid is one of the many medications approved for bipolar disorder. With the right dosage, this can reduce bipolar symptoms, prevent episodes from occurring, shorten hospitalizations, and help the individual in living a productive life despite his condition.

Over time, bipolar disorder exposes people to mood changes which can reach the point of unacceptability in the society. But with proper treatment and medication, bipolar patients can lead rewarding lives.

What is the Real Cause of Bipolar Disorder?

2009-06-12T17:51:00.000-07:00

Everything happens with a cause and that is a fact. It has been stressed in many subjects in school that there is always the so called 'cause and effect'; and one can’t happen without the other.

What about bipolar disorder? The illness is considered as the effect; so what then are the causes? Studies are still underway and researchers are still trying to determine the exact cause of bipolar disorder. Scientific evidence claims that the chemical imbalance inside a person's brain has something to do with bipolar disorder. But then again, what causes the chemical imbalance? Viable theories say that it is due to environmental triggers and heredity. Let's deal with these things one at a time.

Chemical Imbalance

Some people believe that the chemical imbalance in a person's brain is caused by dog bites, osmosis and lithium shortage. But that is a misinformation that brings a lot of confusion to the minds of the people. Most scientists believe that psychological and biological explanations may be the cause of the brain's chemical imbalance.

When you talk about biological explanation, the first thing on the list is genetics. Inheritability is a great issue and there is overwhelming evidence that bipolar disorder runs in the family and reflects genetic vulnerability.

Bipolar disorder is said to be caused by neurotransmitter systems. For decades, scientists are already aware that there is a link between mood disorders and neurotransmitters. Low or high levels of serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine cause bipolar disorder. There are also studies that indicate a change in the nerve cells' receptors and sensitivity.

For now, the neurotransmitters are considered as part of the cause of bipolar disorder but their exact role is not yet established. Research is still being conducted.

Geneticists are trying to determine the chromosomes and genes that act as carriers of bipolar disorder. They would like to find out if these chromosomes or genes come singularly or in tandem. The gene GRK-3 and some chromosomes are said to be linked with bipolar disorder. But most scientists and geneticists agree that 50% is caused by genetics and the other half is due to the environment.

Continuous studies are still underway. Sophisticated tools are needed to uncover what activates the genes or chromosomes, the brain component's code, and how these things affect human behavior. Once the molecular knowledge is acquired, new therapies may be engineered to make the lives of bipolar sufferers much easier.

Environmental Triggers

Life is full of stressful events, and this is the primary culprit that implicates bipolar disorder manifestation. Stressful events may pertain to job loss, death of a loved one, or anything that is encountered by an individual. There have been studies showing that the events results to the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. So when bipolar is triggered, it will soon progress and continue.

To sum it all up, some scientists were able to come up with model called Diathesis-Stress. This is a term that refers to a person being susceptible to diseases like bipolar disorder. This model says that every individual inherits physical predispositions that make him/her at risk to possible problems that might be encountered. In order for a disorder to be produced, both the inherited tendency, as well as the stressful conditions is required.

So if you're suffering from bipolar disorder, it's likely that you were able to inherit some genes that make you susceptible to the disorder, and that some events in your life triggered it. Scientists are still studying this disorder and the theories can still be refined.

By expanding and applying the knowledge gained by scientists in their studies, the bipolar patients can be given the right treatment strategies based solidly in science; and not on the trial/error method.

Bipolar disorder typically starts during an individual's late twenties, but there have been cases where teenagers and even children are diagnosed with the disorder. Physicians and patients still find it hard to struggle with the disorder especially if the right treatment combinations are not yet struck.

Living with bipolar disorder is quite difficult, but with the many discoveries yet to be uncovered, the patients and their families can be assured that a bright and normal future awaits them. Therefore, great attention must be given to the different studies and researches that specialists undertake.

Tapestry of Causes of Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-11T17:50:00.001-07:00

The medical society may have disagreed about so many diseases in this world since Pandora has opened the little box of horrors. One of the few things that they have agreed upon is that bipolar disorder is not caused by a lone factor. Several factors are intertwined together to produce a cloth of the illness. Hence, its being so called to run among blood relatives, other factors such as biochemical and environmental can not just be eliminated. In other words, having a relative with a bipolar disorder doesn’t always mean you'll get it too, but there is a big possibility. Moreover, having a clean slate in the family background doesn’t always save you from the lash of the sickness.

Luck seems to be the key to escaping any illness or disease.

Bipolar disorder is an illness characterized by cyclical mood swings which may start during the adolescent years or later in life. There are some cases where young children were afflicted with the disorder. It does not spare any race, gender, social class, or ethnicity. The disorder is treated with an amalgamation of mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-manics or anti-psychotics, and psychotherapy.

In any case, individuals afflicted with the disorder seem to have biologic similarities that are detected by tests and imaging scans. The patients manifest an over production of cortisol (stress hormone); more than the usual hyperactivity in some parts of the brain that is related with movement and emotional functions; reduced brain activity in parts that are linked with cognitive functioning; fast biological clock (regulates the body's circadian rhythm: cycle of sleep and waking); and extreme flooding of calcium into the brain cells.

Bipolar disorder can be caused by either or a combination of these factors: biochemical or biological, genetic or familial, medication induced, and environmental.

Biochemically speaking, bipolar disorder takes place in a certain part of the brain where a number of neurotransmitters (a sort of chemical messenger) are said to have been malfunctioning. Dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are just the three, maybe a lot more, of neurotransmitters involved in bipolar disorder. With this in mind, the disorder may be just sleeping or dormant for years and can be set off by some external factors such as stress or crisis. A closer look at the brain research scientists have discovered that a patient's brain suffering from the disorder is "wired differently" from the normal person, which may explain the maddening alterations of extreme emotions.

As for its familial/genetic factor in the cause of the illness, individuals with first-degree blood relatives such as siblings, offspring, or parents are highly possible candidates for the disorder compared to those who have no relatives with the illness. Research scientists have been working hard to discover the specific genes that are involved in the disorder.

Bipolar disorder may also be triggered by medications. This usually happens during misdiagnosis, and therefore the patient is given a medication that may not be competent enough to control the disorder. With a different illness in mind (in some cases only the depressive mood could have been diagnosed), the physician may not be alert in detecting unusual changes in the patient that may be sidetracking from the original diagnosis. An example is the antidepressant medication which can activate a manic incident in patients who are vulnerable to bipolar disorder. This is due to the fact that the manic stage could have been overlooked upon in cases of misdiagnosis. Patients suffering from bipolar disorder should be prescribed both anti-manic and antidepressant medications. Antimanic medications produce a shield that protects the patient from mania that is stimulated by the anti-depressant.

Other drugs that can be abused which can cause mania in individuals are appetite suppressants, cold medications, corticosteroids, designer drugs (cocaine, amphetamines, etc.), and an excessive intake of caffeine. Abuse of alcohol and other stimulants can also trigger the disorder.

Stressful life events can also single-handedly trigger this mood disorder. Events in a person's life that causes much stress may vary from a shocking death of a loved one, career loss, pregnancy, geographic changes, to financial bankruptcies. Individuals who are highly likely vulnerable to a stress-caused bipolar disorder are adolescents, old adults, and pregnant women. These are population groups that can be easily pinpointed to have been undergoing huge changes in their lives and thus, with a shaky foundation, whether family support or low-self-esteem, they may easily find themselves in a crisis.

Studies have shown that a one time trigger of the disorder can cause a progression and the cycles may begin. If not diagnosed early, it can be hard to control the disorder. Nevertheless, it all boils down on how strong the individual's coping mechanisms are, and a little self-awareness, too.

Treatments for Bipolar Disorder: Getting Rid of that Monkey on your Back

2009-06-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

It is a common occurrence that bipolar disorder is undiagnosed in a sufferer for an average of eight years. Individuals afflicted with the disorder do not seek out professional help for at least a decade after the first manifestation of symptoms. Though the disorder can be controlled with proper treatment, there are a lot of people who suffer from the disorder because they are left untreated or are treated inappropriately.

There is a huge population of sufferers that have multiple incidences and it is quite uncommon for them to have a sole episode of depression or hypomania in bipolar disorder in a lifespan. The duration of the symptom-free periods increase with the advancement of age. The existence of major symptoms may well forecast long-term psychosocial dysfunction. The danger of a relapse is high in patients with mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms.

The disorder, being untreated, can cause a variation of damage in the life of the sufferer. Therefore, it is imperative that the disorder be diagnosed as early as possible and treatment plans be started at an early stage as well.

There are varieties of treatments for Bipolar disorder. Some may fail but some are successful in controlling the disorder. Oftentimes the patients easily give up on their medication thinking that the drugs have failed them when in fact there are drugs that need a certain amount of time before it works. Compliance is also a major factor in the success of a treatment. Any lapse in the medication intake can easily allow a relapse of the disorder.

There are two stages of treatment: the acute and the preventive or maintenance stage. Acute stage treatment is intended to end the present depressive, hypomanic, manic, or mixed mood swing episodes. Preventive or maintenance treatment is for the continuation of the healing process to avoid or control future episodes.

Treatment is composed of medication, psychotherapy, and education. Medication is important for almost all patients throughout the acute and preventive stages. Psychotherapy aids both patients and their families in dealing with the more than the usual bipolar behavior of the patients. Education is also very helpful to patients and their families as they become more aware of the complexities of the disorder as well as how to manage it.

In any case, all treatments aim to decrease the incidence of episodes, prevent cycling from one mood stage to another, decrease and treat the intensity of acute mood episodes of depression or mania, and aid the patient as much as possible in between mood episodes.

Before any treatment is prescribed, the physician will first identify what had caused the episode and will assess the patient for any other emotional or medical predicaments that could get in the way of the treatment.

The following are medications and other treatments used to help individuals suffering from bipolar disorder:

? Mood stabilizers are the core medication treatment for bipolar disorder. These medications are efficient for short-term or acute episodes of depression and psychotic mania. It is also used for maintenance treatment. Lithium and valproate are mood stabilizers that are commonly prescribed. These two drugs act to stimulate the liberation of glutamate (a neurotransmitter).

? Atypical Antipsychotic drugs are prescribed treat schizophrenia. This drug also has mood stabilizing characteristics which is helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and ariprazol are the five standard medications for the bipolar mania and mixed episodes. Quetiapine is only utilized for the treatment of mixed episodes. These drugs may be used single-handedly or can be combined with mood stabilizers such as lithium or valproate. Furthermore, a blend fluoxetine and olanzapine is also accepted for bipolar depression treatment.

? Antiseizure medications are also utilized for the treatment of patients suffering from rapid-cycling and mixed episodes, mania, and for those who have suffered the consequences of substance abuse. Carbamazepine, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine are the antiseizure medications usually used in helping patients suffering bipolar II disorder and rapid cycling.

? Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is also an efficient treatment. This is ordered for patients suffering acute emotional stages or may also be utilized for maintenance.

? Sleep Management and Psychotherapy in combination with bipolar medications are also highly helpful in the treatment plan for bipolar disorder.

Consequences of medications may include increase occurrence of diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain. To diminish such risks, the patient is instructed to have a dietary intake that will include whole grains, foods that are low in saturated fats, foods low in sugar, fruits, and vegetables. These can help decrease the incidence of gaining weight, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

With vigilance and discipline in addition to a strong support of family and friends the individual who is suffering from bipolar disorder may well sail through without much difficulty during troubled times.

Going Nuts or Just Normally Moody? (Bipolar Tests)

2009-06-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is an illness that is illustrated by extreme mood changes, from being manically euphoric to the very depressed and vice versa. This disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. Changes in the mood to the extremes are constantly occurring, this can happen within hours, days, or months. Bipolar disorder typically appears in the late teenage years and continues until death. There are also cases wherein the illness starts as early as childhood or as delayed as late adult years.

Although a lot of people experience mood swings every now and then, only a small group really experience radical changes in their moods which are highly characteristic of bipolar disorder. This illness can heavily affect everyday living of the sufferer. It can have a huge impact on their relationships with significant others, occupation, academics, and their day to day interaction with other people.

Are you quite curious if you're afflicted with this unlucky pestilence of a disease? Here are some of the signs and symptoms that you can check yourself with:

Signs and symptoms of depressive phase
? pessimistic, have long moments of crying
? a feeling of hopelessness
? low self-esteem
? diminished libido
? progressive decrease in energy and activities of daily living
? apathetic
? antisocial
? cognitive difficulties
? always anxious and irritable
? changes in weight (weight loss or gain)
? either insomnia or oversleeping
? abuse of drugs or alcoholic substances
? suicidal ideations

Signs and symptoms of manic phase
? extremely euphoric
? aggressive
? impulsive, irresponsibly wild
? excessively adventurous and involved in activities that are life threatening (sex, drugs, violence, excessive spending)
? insomniac
? flight of ideas, exceedingly talkative
? very outgoing
? self-centered; sometimes with hallucinations or delusions
? easily distracted, restless
? no idea that the their behavior is causing problems

If you have any of these symptoms and these odd behaviors are causing disruptions in your normal life, it is best for you to seek professional help.

There may be numerous tests out there that are used to differentiate a bipolar sufferer from the run-of-the-mill sad and/or energetic individuals, but there is no exact specific test. This is because the signs and symptoms of this illness are very similar to other mental aberrations like ADHD, borderline personally disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse disorders.

To diagnose the disorder, physicians provide a battery of tests to potential patients. The following are the basic tests that these professionals use:

? Medical examinations. This is used to assess the patient for other probable grounds of the mood swings he or she experiences.
? Oral and written psychiatric questionnaire or evaluations
? Family history. Bipolar disorder have a tendency to run in families
? Medical history. There may be medications that the patient is using or has used that could have triggered the mood swings.
? Interview family members and significant others regarding the patient's behavior. These people are usually the first witnesses of the disorder unfolding in the patient.

Although the doctor may be armed with these tests to help him diagnose a patient, it is quite difficult for the doctor if the patient him or herself doesn’t recognize the problem. It is therefore imperative for the doctor to have an absolute and careful history of the patient's mood swing episodes. Compared to normal happiness, a person suffering the mania stage is extremely happy for four consecutive days at the very least. These patients are also easily distracted, very talkative, and has a flight of ideas.

The disorder is suspected to individuals who have previously suffered from a depression and had a quick and excellent response to the treatment, but had frequent relapses which are followed by a disintegration to respond to antidepressant treatment.

But with early diagnosis, the disorder can be easily controlled. A combination of psychopharmacologic medications and psychotherapy may just do the trick. A strong emotional support from family and friends is also imperative for the patient who's suffering from this disorder. Just make sure you choose the right medical professional to help you or a friend in need. You may find the best help even from only searching through the net as some institutions have websites of their own.

Just remember, anybody who is suspect to any mental disorder is innocent until examined and diagnosed by a legitimate doctor.

The More than the Usual Moody Disorder

2009-06-10T17:48:00.000-07:00

Bipolar Syndrome or manic depression is a psychiatric aberration that is a group of mood disorders in which an individual afflicted with it undergoes extreme emotional states from being clinically depressed to an elevated mood states (or vice versa), and/or a combination of these mood states. If this disorder is ignored and untreated, it can be a crippling condition and may possibly cause suicide.

The term "manic-depressive" made its first appearance in the late 1950s and the present name, bipolar disorder, only became in trend recently. But this mood disorder has been around since time immemorial. The Romans, thanks to their Latin, have coined the words 'ania' and 'manos'. Specifically, it was Caelius Aurelianus, a Roman physician, who proposed these etymologies. 'Ania' means to generate immense mental distress, while 'manos' on the other hand means relaxed or calmed down. Through the centuries great minds have tried to understand this mood swing that had gone terribly wrong. From Gao Lian, the Chinese encyclopedist who cited the illness in hid Eight Treatises on Nurturing of Life, to Jules Baillarger the Frenchman who explained the two-phased mental disorder being the origin of frequent cycles involving depression and mania.

But the considered father of the modern concept of Bipolar disorder is German psychiatrist Emil Kraeplin. He sorted out and studied the course of untreated patients afflicted with the disorder way back before mood stabilizers were formulated. From his studies, he conceived the phrase "manic depressive psychosis". He observed that his patients undergo a cycle with moments of acute depression or mania, with symptom-free intermissions that allows the patient to act normally.

But Kraeplin may be the father of the modern concept of this illness, Dr. John Cade discovered the treatment. He found out that Lithium Carbonate is the right medication that can really treat any psychiatric illness. This discovery pioneered the start of the treatment of psychiatric conditions through medications.

In a nutshell, having a bipolar syndrome is just like having mood swings, and a terrible one at that. This over the top kind of mood swing can cause either harm or enhance an individual's everyday life based on the disorder's severity (from mild to severe) and route (elevated or depressive mood). It causes alterations in ones sleep cycles, energy and activity levels, cognitive functioning, and social life.

This disorder time and again appears as depression in the teenage years and then can have jumpstart as bipolar disorder in the late teens. There are also cases that started early in childhood or late in life. Bipolar is not exclusive to any race, gender, social class, or ethnicity. It can strike just about anybody.

The female patients are likely to start with a depressive episode, and the males with manic episode. This disorder has a tendency to run among blood relatives.

Mood swing changes or episodes may last for as long as months or as short as hours. Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is when a patient undergoes four or more mood changes or episodes of depression interchanging with mania in a single year.

A full cycle can be accomplished in days or hours by patients with bipolar rapid cycling, though mood changes with bipolar disorder usually take place progressively. These rapid cyclers are very unstable and very difficult to treat; female patients are prone to be rapid cyclers.

There are four types of bipolar disorder. It is classified based on the symptoms' intensity and patterns.

? Bipolar I disorder. This is comprised by one or more or mixed episodes, in addition to one or more major depressive mood change. This is the severest form of bipolar disorder since it is manifested by extreme manic episodes.

? Bipolar II disorder. This is a combination of one or more depressive incidents with at least one hypomanic episode (mild for of mania that may last for at least four days). Hypomanic episodes may not cause severe trouble in everyday living but some patients can be destructive.

? Cyclothymic disorder. This is a unceasing variation of moods which involves stages of depression and hypomania. These two stages are more acute, less severe, and are not experienced with the regularity encountered in the two previous types of bipolar disorder. Patients with cyclothymia may have the possibility to progress to a more severe type of bipolar disorder.

? Unspecified Bipolar Disorder. There are cases that a patient experiences symptoms of depressive and manic episodes without really fitting in any of the above mentioned types of the disorder. This disorder is curable.

But this mood disorder should not be looked down on as if it was Leprosy in the ancient times. Not does it only have an available medication to stabilize the patient's moods but it oddly gives the individuals afflicted with it a creative edge. With a good combination of medication and therapy, the disorder is very manageable.

Tips on Recognizing Bipolar Symptom and Its Importance

2009-06-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder, also called as manic-depressive disease has severe effects on the life of the sufferer as well as those people closest to them. The patients need almost everybody's attention. They need it from their psychiatrist, physicians, close friends, and supportive networks.

There are approximately 2 million Americans who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But most of them are unaware that such condition is present. It is because it can trigger any time. In most cases, the symptoms started to manifest during adolescence or early adulthood. Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about because this brain disorder is treatable. You just need to recognize different symptoms to achieve proper diagnosis as well as treatment.

If you know someone who is suffering from a bipolar disease then you already know the effects in their daily lives. However, it does not necessarily mean that a person with bipolar disorder is always down and depressed. Their moods just have a tendency to alter from an extremely high to an extremely low status. This mood swings is very hard to recognize. Coping with such condition is also difficult since the patient is also affected physically.

Always expect for a worst scenario. Never forget that persistent highs and lows of moods in most patients can mean committing suicide in the end. It is because they think that it is their way to escape. If this is often the case, calling 911 is important. Do not think that you would waste their time if ever nothing happened. What matters most is that you have avoided any worst consequences.

Reoccurrences of the illness is possible thus it can affect a person throughout his or her life. Lifetime treatment is applicable through building and maintaining a strong support group. But the first step for achieving successful results in the future is to learn some basic tips on how to spot symptoms of a bipolar disorder.

1. It is very easy to determine manic episodes. The most distinguishing factor is euphoric mood and increased level of energy. These characteristics are easily noticed and very evident. It is obvious that a person first manifested a depressed mood for a longer period of time. Other signs include spending sprees, loss of concentration, and increased drive for sex.

2. Spotting depression can be quite easy but sometimes it can be misinterpreted as a bad day. An anxious or a sad mood over an extended duration of time is a very obvious sign of a depressed person. This is the first characteristic you must look for. Another is lack of interest on the things which was once enjoyed by the person, including sex or hobbies.

3. Mood swings associated with serious cases of bipolar disorder can later display psychosis symptoms including delusions and hallucinations. These are also easier to recognize. However, the sufferer may not be aware of it.

4. To spot a mixed state of a bipolar disorder, you should know that the sufferer is simultaneously experiencing both depression and mania. It can include sleep deficiency, agitation, and appetite changes. The patient having this kind of bipolar disorder can become very depressed, yet he or she still possesses a very high energy level.

5. The symptom that is considered to be the most horrifying is morbid thoughts. Most people ignore it subconsciously hoping that it will just soon vanish. Suspecting a patient who have morbid thoughts and contemplates suicide must be acted upon immediately. Call 911 if necessary to prevent worse consequences from happening.

Keep in mind that recognizing these symptoms correctly is important to reveal the real nature of a bipolar disease. Improper diagnosis can lead to prolong or lifetime suffering. The patients can seek advice from professionals when depression attacks them but sometimes they are not disclosing their manic behaviors. It is because they linked it with normalcy or happiness.

Recently, more and more people are getting the proper education regarding the distinguishing symptoms of a bipolar disorder because of the attentions given on its research and studies. Guidance is available through excellent resources such as reputable websites or local clinics which provide detailed information. Never forget that the debilitating nature of a bipolar disorder can be stopped to lead productive and healthy lives.

Bipolar Support Group: A Guide to a Better Living

2009-06-09T17:47:00.000-07:00

The most difficult and stressful experience that you could have is being diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. If this is your case, managing your disorder better is recommended. Whether you handle it by yourself, with your families, or with your friends, building and maintaining a strong support group system is very important.

There are approximately twenty five million Americans who are suffering from mood disorders including bipolar disorder. In this case, their families need better understanding of how such illness is affecting their lives. People need support from those who takes time to understand them.

A support group system is the combined forces of people who are offering emotional and unconditional support to people having a bipolar disorder. They have the desire for understanding the difficulties and struggles of people living in such condition. This group consists of other support groups, mental health workers, doctors, friends, and families.

A support group for manic depression can be a very good source for getting support from peers. They can help lots of people how to cope up with emotional aspects of their lives. A safe place is provided to give a chance for these people to share their experiences as well as learn from other sufferers who are facing the same situation.

People having a manic depressive disorder can feel secluded and isolated. They can also feel alone in their struggle in managing the symptoms. But those people who attend a support group may feel strong and confident that they're not alone in facing their battles and easily recover upon treatment. The people who are within a support group are likely to experience the highs and lows of a bipolar disorder. No one will relate better with people who are suffering from a bipolar disorder except those people who also experiences the same situation.

A support group system is not often specifically designed for people having a bipolar disorder but also for other mood disorders including clinical depression. Consulting a psychiatrist or therapist to obtain information about a support group system is advised.

People who are joining a support group should also have their personal assessment regarding their condition. If something is going better, then continuous involvement is good. However, when things get worse, it is better to undergo specific treatments. There are instances that a person may feel hopeless and desperate if he or she sees other people in a support group displaying such behaviors.

The idea of a support group is to help each other on their journey to recovery. Someone during his or her normal period can still be the light of other members who have difficulty in coping up with their present situation.

Today, the internet technology becomes the major source of finding an appropriate support group. There are even designed chat rooms for people experiencing manic depression. Although this is a good resource for sufferers of bipolar disorders to get the support they need, this isn't enough. They should continue to attend their local support group system. Since there is always a tendency for self-isolation, being with other sufferers can provide good social interactions.

After the illness is diagnosed and treatment is provided, support from other people is vital in achieving a lifetime wellness. Most support groups have their own chapters to meet the needs of every sufferer. They will find direction and comfort in a supportive and confidential setting where a big difference is made in their lives. The services provided also vary depending on the needs of their members. However, never think that a support group is your alternative to professional care.

Many support groups offer self-help by facilitating meetings. People with bipolar disorder can obtain benefits such as opportunity from reaching out to others, motivation in following a treatment plan, understand mood disorders, help rediscover humor and strength, and provide forums for mutual understanding and acceptance.

Having a family and trusted friends who are always ready to provide emotional support is a very valuable asset for people suffering from a bipolar disorder. This is necessary especially for people who always have suicidal tendencies and have a hard time in controlling outbursts of emotions. That is why a support group system is extremely essential, truly a guide for a better living.

The Support That a Person with Bipolar Disorder Needs: Effectively Managing the Manic Depressive Illness

2009-06-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

For you to be able to function properly in society, you have to consider that you need to have a good physical health. You may have heard this over and over again. However, you have to consider that physical well-being is not the only thing you need to consider in order to function productively in society. It is a fact that there are quite a lot of people who is considered to be physically healthy but cannot function well in society. You have to consider that your mental health is also very important.

The brain is one of the most important parts of the human body and without it, you will not be able to live. The brain is needed for your basic motor skills, for speech, and also for controlling your moods and emotions. The brain simply acts like a microprocessor in a computer and your nervous system as the wires that connect all of your body to it. However, there are certain mental disorders that can affect your daily life where you will have no control of some aspects of your body.

One example of a mental disorder is called bipolar disorder. This particular illness can affect the area of your brain that controls your way of thinking, your emotions and your moods. Bipolar disorder can significantly and negatively affect your daily functions. Normally, people have some ups and downs in terms of moods. If something pleasant happens, you feel happy, and if something bad happens, you will feel depressed about it. This is a normal reaction of the brain and the body. However, with bipolar disorder, the moods can cycle from being manic to being normal to being depressive and back to being manic at some intervals.

Bipolar disorder can have a negative impact in your daily life as it can impair the way you think. It can affect your social life, your relationship, and can also impact your performance at work and at school negatively. You should also consider that bipolar disorder is a very dangerous disorder that can lead to death. There have been cases where severe bipolar disorders have forced people suffering from it to think of death and suicide during the depressive episodes and some have actually attempted to commit suicide.

Bipolar disorder can cause harm to the person suffering from it and also to the people around them. This is why it is important that the family should actively participate in the treatment. Treatments can include psychotherapy and medications. During the therapy sessions, the family of the people who are suffering from bipolar disorder should be actively involved during the long and sometimes hard process of treatment. You have to consider that bipolar disorder is a long term illness and has no cure. The treatments are usually needed throughout their entire life and it also needs carefully managing it.

Family and friends should know how to support the person suffering from this disorder and should understand all about bipolar disorder in order to effectively treat them and also effectively manage the illness. It is also important that you should choose a reputable psychotherapist in order to make sure that they can effectively treat the patient.

Bipolar disorder is a kind of illness that needs support from members of the family. It does not entirely mean that the person suffering from it needs to be alone in the treatment process. It is important to realize the fact that the family plays a very important role during the treatment process. Without family support, the treatment for the illness can have little or no effect at all. You should consider that people suffering from this mental disorder are suicidal and during the treatment process, they will need emotional support in order to get their thoughts off about death and suicide.

These are the things you should consider when you have a family member suffering from bipolar disease. With the proper treatment and support, you can be sure that they will be able to recover from their illness and effectively manage it throughout their lives. In time, they will be able to live independently and function productively in society again.

Bipolar and Schizophrenia: Are Both Disorders the Same?

2009-06-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

For years, psychiatrists and medical professionals have said that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are two very distinct mental illnesses. This idea came from a world-renowned German psychiatrist named Emil Kraepelin. Eric Kraepelin has said that bipolar disease and schizophrenia are two very different mental disorders. Up until today, the separation of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is still being practiced by psychiatrists.

However, you have to consider that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is very difficult to distinguish from each other. Both have the same signs and symptoms and psychiatrist often makes mistakes when diagnosing a patient with one of the disorders.

Today, there are certain methods developed to clearly distinguish both diseases. Psychiatrists and brain specialists all over the world have determined that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have distinct signs and symptoms where they can base their diagnosis from.

The first thing you have to consider is that patients with bipolar disorder can experience a schizophrenia-like delusions and hallucinations. However, bipolar disorder has a chronic form of the illness. However, it is still very difficult to distinguish both diseases from one another.

Schizophrenia disorder has been found that it also contains signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, which includes depressive episodes and sometimes manic episodes. As you can see, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is very hard to distinguish from one another. In fact, there have been several cases where psychiatrists and specialists have made a mistake in diagnosing their patients. There are some cases where severe schizophrenia disorders have the same signs and symptoms of bipolar disorders and even the same frequency of manic and depressive episodes.

Further studies and research have found that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is a form of genetic illness. So, this means that finding out about the genetics of the person, psychiatrists and brain specialists can find a significant distinction of both disorders. Today, there are now available treatments for both disorders that can effectively help you in managing schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The treatment for both disorders can be in a form of psychotherapy and is usually combined with medications that can change the brain's biochemistry.

The medications combined with the psychotherapy sessions can help in stabilizing the brain functions and lessen the effect of the signs and symptoms in your life. It is important to remember that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia is often misdiagnosed. This will also mean that the patient can be given the wrong medication for their illness. You have to consider the fact that there are different medications for bipolar disorder and in schizophrenia.

Today, one of the most popular medications given to schizophrenic is called Clorazil. This medication is specially made for schizophrenics in order for them to control their brain functions. On the other hand, people suffering from bipolar illness are usually prescribed with a medication called Lithium. Lithium is a very effective medicine that can prevent manic episodes from recurring. For fast cycling bipolar illness, the medicine usually prescribed by specialists is called Valproic acid. This is also a great medication for regular cycling bipolar illness.

It is often very hard to distinguish bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This is why it is very important for you to choose a doctor, a psychiatrist or a specialist that is reputable in the field of mental diseases. By choosing the right doctor, you can be sure that you will be treated with the right treatment and medications with your illness. It is very important that both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia should be detected as early as possible in order for the treatment to be more effective.

You have to consider that both illnesses can mentally cripple you and make you an unproductive member of the society. By letting the mental illness develop without getting it treated, it will worsen in time and can significantly affect your way of life.

So, if you or a member of your family is showing early signs of manic or depressive symptoms, you should immediately consult your doctor about it. They will be able to refer you to a reputable specialist in brain disorders. The specialists will be able to determine if it is either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and administer the proper treatment for the disorder.

Taking a Bipolar Online Quiz is Important

2009-06-07T17:44:00.001-07:00

School children often dreads the hour when a quiz is given by their teacher, especially the ones who didn’t study their lessons. As a child grows, he or she still has to keep up with various examinations done in and out of the classroom.

What's in an examination or a quiz that most individuals fear? Well, if it's just a quiz for a school subject, you will only worry about the grades that you will get. But what if it's a quiz about your mental health?

A lot of people shy away from the subject of mental illness. Having a mental illness of some sort does not make you insane. That's the common misconception that people has to live with. Oftentimes, they are ashamed to let other people know that they have a problem. And if you're diagnosed with bipolar disorder, there's really no reason to be afraid or ashamed about it.

Bipolar patients have extreme episodes or mood swings, and though these things may not affect them, it can be very alarming to their family members. Friends, co-workers, relatives, and neighbors may also notice the mood swings especially if it’s already severe. The symptoms felt by bipolar patients are not the same all throughout. It differs from one individual to another. Others can experience mild symptoms while others have to go through severe episodes.

Bipolar disorder does not choose its patients. Men and women can have this illness because of certain factors. Though further studies are still underway, factors like genetics, biochemistry, environmental events, and seasons can cause bipolar disorder.

Not all people are aware that they have the disorder. In fact, a great number of bipolar sufferers are not yet diagnosed. Most bipolar patients were diagnosed with the illness only after years of having it. If bipolar remains untreated, it can cause major disruptions in his or her everyday life; whether at home, at work, or in any other place. With the right professional attention, the bipolar patient can receive treatment and/or medication that are necessary to control their symptoms. Bipolar disorder cannot be cured; it can only be controlled and stabilized.

Bipolar disorder is not well-known to the public. In fact, according or many surveys, a lot of people are not even thinking about mood disorders. For every five respondent, 80% did not even address it as an illness or disorder. Most college students and people in their 40's are aware of the disorder, but other age groups have very little knowledge about bipolar and mood disorders.

This may be one reason why many cases of bipolar disorder are left undiagnosed. Many individuals may regard their condition as simple mood swings. When mood swings are already extreme, then you'd better think twice.

The internet is a great avenue to help you in your problem. Try to observe the symptoms that you're exhibiting, and if you think you have the disorder, you can look into online quizzes. There are many sites that feature bipolar quizzes and you can use the search engines available like Google and Yahoo.

By taking several online depression quizzes, you will find out the different symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. And after the quiz, you will get the results easily. Bipolar online quizzes usually asks the following questions:

- Are you suffering from extreme changes in mood?
- Do you have a family member with bipolar?
- Have you experienced the symptoms in intervals?

If after a careful self-evaluation you think that you do have bipolar, then perhaps it’s time to visit a doctor. You have to consult the right person with the right background, and those that have dealt with bipolar disorder in the past. A psychiatrist can also help you in your struggle. They can provide you with the right medication and treatment that will work for you.

Bipolar quizzes are a great way to assess your situation. Mild mood swings are natural and should not be a cause of worry. However, quizzes like this can’t give you an accurate diagnosis. Bipolar is difficult to diagnose, that is why a lot of diagnosis are delayed. The symptoms felt by a bipolar patient can mimic those of other illnesses. Professional diagnosis is required. Take a quiz, and know your state.

Diagnosed with Bipolar Mood Disorder? Start Mending Fences Now

2009-06-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

It's easier to face the hardships of life when your love ones are there for you. If an individual suffers from an illness, the first ones to assist him in his situation is his dear family. That is why many people are counting on family members and relatives especially if they're going through a difficult phase.
What happens if you're diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder? Just as the word suggests, it’s a mood disorder. For some time, you might have observed your mood swings. Oftentimes, other family members can notice these things easily but they don’t give it much importance. When the behavior becomes radical, this can already cause a disruption in the family or even at work.
Whenever you have an episode, you will likely do abnormal things, and you can even hurt your love ones. You tend to make wrong or bad decisions which are hard to fix. Trying to pick-up pieces after an episode is really hard. This is probably why most bipolar patients want to isolate themselves and are ashamed to come face to face with their family members and friends. But isolation will only make things a lot worse.
Instead of closing your doors to the people that greatly cares and loves you, you have to reach out to them. Reach out to the people you've hurt and try to explain what happened. Making apologies is the best way and tell them that you're already seeking help.
Once a person is diagnosed with the disorder, his or her instant reaction is to deny it and not inform others. Sharing the knowledge of the disorder with others can be very hard. And not every bipolar patient thinks of it as an excellent idea. But with the aid of your therapist or doctor, you can arrive at a better decision.
Keeping things secret is not good, especially if it's about bipolar. In fact, it can be very harmful in the long run. It would be better to inform trusted family members and friends so that they will understand the situation.
Bipolar disorder can greatly affect an individual, and the worst thing that can happen is suicide. There are facts that you need to be aware of if you have bipolar disorder like:
1. Suicide attempts usually occur during mixed or depressed episodes
2. Some suicide happens during or after coming out a mania or depressive episode; and this happens when the patient is feeling a lot better
3. 25 to 50 percent of bipolar patients attempts suicide at least once
4. One out of five bipolar patients commits suicide
5. Patients who misuse drugs and alcohol are at a greater suicide risk
If a bipolar patient has suicidal tendencies, his condition requires control of the symptoms. Suicidal thoughts are not really 'you' as a person, but can be associated with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. This is a sign which means that you need professional attention. The thoughts will not go away alone, what you need is a proper treatment and/or medication.
As part of a treatment regimen, you need to build your own support network. You have to use your available resources to get a good start. Your support foundation can consist of family members, friends, therapists, doctor, and members of the community (local or national). You're at the community's center and acts as a driving force. You can build or maintain this community with the support of the people around you.
Your support group knows your feelings and thoughts. These people have encountered and struggled with the same problems. People with the same disorder can give you practical advice and support. They will teach you coping skills, how to open up, and understand your situation completely. You can also arrange for a meeting with fellow bipolar patients.
You must remember that treatments and medications are greatly needed in your condition. And to make things a lot better, finding a support group can help you in living a normal life. Don’t sulk in your home. There are a lot of people out there who cares about you. All you have to do is to reach out to them, make them feel that you're exerting an effort to make things a lot better for you, your family, and the community as a whole.

The Right Medicine for Bipolar

2009-06-06T17:43:00.001-07:00

Mood swings are strongly associated with women because compared to men, they are unpredictable. Men also exhibit mood swings, but they are not that noticeable. Occasional mood swings can still be accepted and it's but normal to encounter these things. But that about radical mood swings or emotional changes? Don’t you think it’s high time that you consult a doctor or a psychiatrist?

When people hear 'consulting with a psychiatrist', they think of it negatively. They think that only those with mental illnesses consult with these professionals. But did you know that it's one of the best ways to address your problem effectively?

Yes, by consulting with a doctor or psychiatrist, your condition can be evaluated and the extent of the disorder can be determined. You will be given the right medication and a treatment that should be followed in order to stabilize your condition.

Once you have bipolar disorder, like it or not, it's there to stay. You have to deal with unending episodes day in and day out. You need not fear this situation because it can be controlled, though not totally cured. With the help of medications, you're on your way to a normal life again.

Bipolar disorder onsets usually during the adolescence and the early 20's and the disorder is quite complex, thereby delaying accurate diagnosis for a couple of years. This is a great disadvantage for the bipolar patient because it would take years before he can receive treatment or medication.

Psychologists or psychiatrists diagnose and treat bipolar disorder. It would usually start with an interview and a clinical inventory or scale to assess the mental status and bipolar symptoms of the patient. The following are the clinical procedures that need to undertaken:

- MCMI III
- MMPI II
- ISS
- YMRS
- SRMI

The tests mentioned above can be done in outpatient settings or in hospitals, either in writing or verbally. Mental illnesses and bipolar disorder are diagnosed using the guidelines contained in DSM-IV. According to this guideline, bipolar disorder is an unusually irritable or elevated mood that lasts for about a week together with three mania symptoms. However, four symptoms will be required just in case the person is irritable.

Adolescents and children present symptoms differently. Children exhibit psychotic features that are often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia. They are more aggressive and irritable, instead of being elated. The symptoms are also ongoing and chronic compared to adults that experience it in episodes.

Treatments of bipolar disorder are usually administered with medications. Mood stabilizers are used in combination with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. These medications regulate bipolar episodes.

Medications

Lithium. Oldest and frequently prescribed medication for bipolar disorder, but this is not recommended for patients having mixed mania. Sometimes, Lithium is used together with benzodiazepines or neuroleptics.

Carbamazepine. This is an anticonvulsant prescribed along with mood stabilizers. If the patient did not respond well with the lithium therapy, this medication can be used.

Valproate. If you're experiencing a rapid cycling of bipolar, this is a very effective medication. It can be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

Antidepressants may stimulate mania episodes in some patients, therefore used only for short term.

SSRIs. This is used to regulate depression and it includes flouxetine, sertaline, and paroxetine.

MAOIs. This drug blocks the monoamine oxidase's action; and to avoid side effects, you should not eat foods with high amounts of tyramine.

Electroconvulsive therapy. This is very successful in treating bipolar depression but this is employed only after pharmaceutical treatment options have been exhausted. The treatment is given together with anesthesia and muscle relaxant to avoid convulsions.

Neuroleptics. To control manic symptoms, drugs like haloperidol and chlorpromazine are used; but you must be aware that side effects are more severe with neuroleptics.

Counseling and Psychotherapy. Some experts claim that bipolar disorder is biological, and therefore, entails therapy. The therapy alone is not sufficient to substitute medications and so the patient must continue taking his medicines. It's a helpful tool for the patients and their families to encourage medication compliance and reduce suicide risks.

Bipolar medications are really important. When you're completely stabilized and controlled, don’t stop taking medications. Remember that bipolar disorder is for a lifetime, and so you must continue with your medication and treatment.

Treating Your Disorder Successfully: Choose the Right Bipolar Medication

2009-06-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

It is believed that knowledge is very important to fight bipolar disorder. Information can help in the recovery of a person and foster acceptance of one's self and relate to other people within a community. The motivation of patients to communicate with their health care providers has a greater chance of attaining a successful result. There was even a documented report that patients with chronic illnesses felt better because they had regular doctor visits.

There is an estimated two million Americans who are affected by this manic-depressive disorder. This is often disruptive and distressing similar to other serious disorders. It is also difficult to handle for spouses, friends, family members, and employers. They must cope up with some severe behavioral problems like uncontrollable spending sprees and its long-term consequences.

A bipolar disorder pertains to a brain disorder that is considered a serious problem. It is an illness of the mind involving serious episodes of depression and mania. The mood swings of a person ranges from extremely irritable and high to hopeless and sad, and vice versa. However, in between this swings, normal mood and behavior still occurs.

This type of disorder normally begins in early adulthood or adolescence and goes on throughout life. The only problem is that this is not recognized as a disease and a person affected by a bipolar disorder needlessly suffers for years and even for decades.

A bipolar disorder is believed to be inherited. It runs in families in most cases. However, in spite of vigorous research, a specified genetic defect related with the illness is not yet determined. A child below twelve years old can be already diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Although, this is not very common for this age range, careful analysis is important since it can be misinterpreted as an attention-deficit or hyperactivity disorder.

But keep in mind that several studies are conducted by doctors of various universities in the United States to discover the brain's activity associated with bipolar disorder to develop a successful treatment plan. Treatments that are effective are widely available and greatly alleviate sufferings brought by a bipolar disorder. It also prevents devastating complications such as job loss, drug and alcohol abuse, marital breakups, and suicide.

All people affected by a bipolar disorder especially those people with severe cases can get substantial stabilization regarding mood swings. One medication which is very effective is lithium. It can control mania and prevent recurrence of depressive and manic episodes. Recently, mood anticonvulsants valproate and carbamazepine are found very useful for treating refractory episodes of a bipolar disorder. Typically, these medicines are mixed with lithium to get maximum effect.

Anticonvulsants medicines are theorized by some scientists as promoters of kindling on a person affected by a bipolar disorder. It is a process wherein the brain increasingly became stress sensitive and eventually starts to manifests abnormal activity episodes without the stressor. Thus lithium is blocking the kindling process early stages in which valproate and carbamazepine act later. Valproate has been approved recently by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for treating acute mania.

Adolescents and children having a bipolar disorder are treated generally with lithium. However, valproate and carbamazepine are also utilized. Benzodiazepine with high potency such as lorazepam and clonazepam are also helpful for insomnia. Another valuable form of treatment is the thyroid augmentation.

Various kinds of antidepressants are useful for treating depression especially when mixed with valproate, carbamazepine, or lithium. ECT or electroconvulsive therapy is helpful for treating mixed mania and severe depression which failed to respond on certain medications.

Psychotherapy is another good option. It provides support, guidance, and education not only to the patient but also to her or his family. Mood chart is also vital. In this way, mood swings are kept in track. Whatever patterns that are created, the illness are correctly assessed with the help of a health care provider. Thus an effective strategic plan is developed to handle mood swings successfully.

Since, manic-depressive disease is recurrent, a prolonged prophylactic treatment is recommended. A bipolar disorder that is untreated having occasional hypomania episodes and repetitive depressions is called bipolar II.

However, regardless of choosing either the accepted or fought mind frame, a bipolar disorder's nature demands patients to participate in the treatment process.

Say No to Ignorance: Learn the Two Types of Bipolar Manic Depression

2009-06-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

Bipolar depression can be distinguished in a person if a single manic episode is present. Moreover, it is assumed as a chronic disease since a greater population of persons who have manifestations of one episode can portray more episodes in the days to come. However, the statistics stated that the average episodes within a year must be only four, provided that no preventive treatment was been applied.

Every person having a bipolar depression displayed unique patterns of combining depression, manic episodes, and mood cycles. But if these patterns are identified, the episodes become predictable. Some studies reveal that genetics has a strong influence in developing a bipolar depression. Normally, the disorder can be detected in adolescent stage or early adulthood. Once affected, it can last a lifetime since the condition is episodic.

Many people are not well informed about bipolar disorder. They do not know that it has two major types, the Bipolar I and Bipolar II. The distinguishing factor among the two types lies whether or not a manic episode is present in a person. One should understand depressive episodes and manic episodes to determine the differences.

Depressive episodes are characterized by different symptoms. It includes weight gain or weight loss, total absence or diminished happiness and pleasure, relentless depressed mood, fatigue, excessive guilt, feelings of unworthiness, need to sleep well, reduced concentration, inability to think better, frequent thoughts of suicide or death, restlessness, and slow movement of the body.

If a person is experiencing at least five of the depressive symptoms such as lack of interest in the activities once enjoyed, depressed mood, and others for a minimum of two weeks, then he or she is manifesting a depressive episode. Keep in mind that these symptoms are caused either by impairment or significant distress not by alcohol and drug abuse or medical conditions to be considered as a depressive episode.

Likewise, manic episodes have also different symptoms. These are racing thoughts, chattiness, need to reduce sleep, flying ideas, distractibility, and magnified self-confidence. Others include increased enthusiasm for activities that are goal-directed, and superfluous extreme involvement in enjoyable activities including sexual indiscretions or wild shopping,

According to DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) of the APA (American Psychiatric Association), once mood disturbances are experienced by a person such as persistent, unexplained euphoria together with three symptoms or more for a minimum of one week, thus affecting the ability of the person to function properly and become productive, then he or she is displaying a manic episode. These symptoms must not be caused by medical conditions or drug abuse to belong in the criteria of a manic episode.

Look closely on Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders. A person is having a Bipolar I disorder if he or she experiences a single manic episode along with a depression episode. A person is having a Bipolar II disorder if he or she experiences at least a single hypomania episode without the presence of manic episodes. Never be confused. The only difference is that one of the symptoms of a manic episode is experienced by a person having a Bipolar I disorder.

It should not be mistaken that bipolar disorder is classified into two types to grade the severity of the above mentioned symptoms. Bipolar I and Bipolar II are used only to differentiate how a person experienced a manic episode. The classification of the disorders is based on the occurrence degree of the mania than the impairment levels causing the disorder.

Bipolar disorder affects every person differently. The people who have been diagnosed with a Bipolar I disorder have displayed different degrees of distress, impairment, and adaptation. Large spectrum of variations on each level can be determined. This case is also similar for those people who are affected by a Bipolar II disorder.

It is advisable to learn everything about the mental disorder in case you are diagnosed with a bipolar disorder or know someone having the disorder. Talk to a doctor to find useful information and appropriate treatment. Educating oneself regarding bipolar disorder can also help your family, friends, and other important person in your life to also learn. Never forget that this is your first step to recover and live a more healthy life.

Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms of Mania in Manic-Depressive Illness

2009-06-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

There are many people today that are unaware or little informed about a very serious brain condition that can affect their daily life. This condition can cause difficulties in controlling ones mood that can result in having relationship problems, and can make their performance at work or at school deteriorate.

Many people consider that having a good physical health is enough in order to live a normal and productive lifestyle. What most people neglect to consider is that they should also be aware about their mental health where they may never know if they are already suffering from a serious bran disorder called bipolar disorder or sometimes called as manic-depressive illness.

This particular disorder can affect a person's mood which can include unusually excessive highs and lows in their mood. This means that people with bipolar disorder experiences different moods, such as excessive happiness, and excessive depression in cycles. What this suggests is that people with bipolar disorder can experience being depressed or being euphoric at no reason at all. It just happens.

You have to consider that this particular condition can cause difficulty for a person to live a normal and productive life. This is because of the symptoms that they experience can be very disabling and can affect how they think and how they make critical decisions and judgments. It is very important that you should consider the fact that bipolar disorder is a very serious mental disorder than can be disabling and in severe cases, can be lethal.

Bipolar disorder consists of two different classifications of symptoms. The person who is suffering from bipolar disorder may experience manic, depressive phases at a cycle process or both at the same time. In the manic episode, the person suffering from this illness will experience excessive euphoria. What this means is that the person will be at an unusually high mood.

Meaning, the person suffering from the manic episode associated with bipolar disorder will be full of energy. At this episode, the person suffering from bipolar disorder can experience racing thoughts. The racing thoughts symptom is not about thinking fast, but it is a condition where the sufferer will experience never ending thoughts. This means that you can't just make it stop. There will always be something in your head that you don’t even want.

Racing thoughts may include memories about the past that just won't go away and is completely irrelevant to what you are doing. It may include parts of past conversation that you had with someone, parts of a movie or music, and it can even include hearing your own voice repeating some phrase over and over again.

Another symptom of mania associated with bipolar disorder is being unable to make good judgments. Since your thoughts are constantly on the go and won't stop, you will always be distracted. In turn, this will cause a person to become irritable. The symptom can last for a few minutes and in severe cases, it can last up to a week. As you can see, manic episodes can significantly affect your work or school performance because you can never concentrate on anything.

Your brain will constantly be active during the manic phase where it can also contribute into letting you think that you have a lot of energy and don’t need any sleep. You have to consider that this is a particularly dangerous illness that immediately needs attention.

You have to remember that bipolar disorder has no cure. However, it can be treated up to the point where you will take control of your mood and your thoughts again. The treatment will consist of psychotherapy, where a psychiatrist will encourage you to talk and where he or she will teach you how to cop with it.

Usually, the psychotherapy is combined with special medication that can normalize the mood levels and decrease the effects of mood swings. You have to consider that bipolar disorder will also include depression. It is important that you should know all about the different signs and symptoms of this illness in order to be aware of it and know if you are one of the people affected with this illness.

These are some of the things you should remember about bipolar disorder. By knowing about the manic symptoms, you will know if you have one or not. It is important that once you detected the mentioned symptoms of mania mentioned, you should immediately consult your psychiatrist.

Is Your Child Suffering from Bipolar Disorder?

2009-06-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

Diagnosis of bipolar disorder among children have never been made until only recently in the medical field. Before, the disorder was seen to emerge among unfortunate adolescents and adults, but with advancement in identification tests, the disorder can now be detected as early as childhood. Thus, early treatment can be started.

An early diagnosis of the disorder in children may give them a better chance in treatment. This will help them cope with the disease more properly, achieve character equilibrium, realize a top level of wellness, and grow up to be a self-aware and well rounded adult. With the right treatment, the disorder can be easily controlled and they may lead a normal happy life.

The prevalence of the disorder in children is suspected to be significant with those who are already diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit with hyperactivity disorder) in the United States. Children and adolescents who have suffered from relapsing depressions may be suffering from an early start-up of bipolar disorder except that the manic stage of the disorder has not yet occurred. The more epidemiological studies are conducted the more the medical world is becoming aware how common this disorder surface among children.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood changes that includes depression and mania (extreme euphoria). But the disorder has some variations among children compared to those of the adults. Bipolar among children generally have constant mood alterations that is a combination of depression and mania in rapid cycles. Persistent irritability is caused by the rapid mood cycles as well as a few periods of wellness in between phases.

DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV) are used to diagnose bipolar disorder among adults. Although there is no age limit when using the DSM-IV, there is no real specific criteria for children which makes it quite difficult to use.

The following are the common behaviors found in children afflicted with bipolar disorder:

? hyperactive, easily distracted
? authority problems
? extensively destructive temper
? insomnia alternating with oversleeping
? irritable
? depressed, apathetic, passive
? fast changing moods from a few hours to several days
? bedwetting
? delusions and hallucinations
? beliefs of grandiosity
? flight of ideas, extremely talkative
? extreme anxiety when separated from family even for a short period of time
? night time fears and tirades
? unsuitable sexual behavior
? extreme hunger for sweet food and carbohydrates

The disorder can also be noted during infancy. Parents of later bipolar diagnosed children frequently cite erratic behavior such as being unusually clingy and unmanageable tantrums reminiscent of seizures.

Like bipolar syndrome in adults, children or pediatric bipolar syndrome is classified into four: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

In Bipolar I, patients undergo interchanging episodes of extreme depression and psychotic mania.

Bipolar II, the patient undergoes moments of hypomania interchanging with moments of depression. Hypomania is sometimes attributed to immense creativity. Hypomania is manifested by irritable or elevated mood with an addition of enhanced mental and physical energy.

Cyclothymia is the form of disorder wherein the individual afflicted undergoes stages of milder but specific mood changes.

Lastly, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is the form of the disorder that the physicians are not able to classify in any of the above mentioned classifications. It is also characterized by manic-depressive mood swings but there are symptoms where the illness can not be either identified as Bipolar I, II, or Cyclothymia.

The parents who are worried about their child's welfare, specifically a child who talks about suicide, should have them evaluated and/or assessed by a legitimate professional who is an expert with psychiatric disorders and its treatments.

Concerned adults who believe one of their charges is afflicted with the disorder should take notes everyday of the child's behavior, sleeping patterns, speech, and strange events surrounding the child. These observations will importantly help the physician in their evaluations and find an appropriate treatment.

The disorder can be controlled through a combination of medication, close supervision of behavioral symptoms, psychotherapy for both the patient and the family, knowledge about the disorder, excellent nutrition, regular exercise and sleeping patterns, and lessening of stressful situations.

It is best if the parents and the medical professionals work hand in hand in the treatment of the child. The family's involvement in the treatment plan can lessen the intensity, incidence, and extent of episodes.

A complete guide to bipolar illness

2009-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

Bipolar illness is also known as manic-depressive illness. This is the disorder that involves incidents of serous depression and mania. Bipolar illness is characterized by sudden mood sways of a person which can abruptly shift from being highly irritable to being overly sad. The change from depression to mania and vice versa can occur in a very short period of time. The mood fluctuation in bipolar illness mainly follows a pattern for a person. Analyzing this pattern will help to foresee the next behavior of a person with bipolar illness.

There are certain signs that will help recognize mania from depression. When a person is in the state of mania, bipolar illness can be recognized through the following symptoms:

1. hyperactivity which leads to restlessness and talking rapidly
2. extremely high feelings
3. excessive irritability
4. fancy belief to unrealistic powers
5. poor judgment
6. increase of sexual urges
7. abuse of alcohol, cocaine and other drugs
8. aggressive behaviors
9. denial that something is wrong with him

However, when a person is in the state of depression, bipolar illness can be recognized through the following symptoms:

1. persistent sadness or anxious mood
2. pessimism
3. uncharacterized feelings of unworthiness and guilt
4. low sex drives
5. feeling of being exhausted even without physical activities
6. decrease in energy level even to ordinary activities
7. poor judgment
8. loss of appetite
9. chronic pains that are not due to physical illness
10. suicidal tendencies

Bipolar illness generally initiates in the adolescence period which is carried on throughout the person's life. The difficulty of this illness is that it cannot be readily recognized as an illness, rather counted on as attitude problem like hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders. Because of this, the person who has this illness suffers for a prolonged period and can even develop its complications such as drug and alcohol abuse, poor quality of job, marital break up or even suicidal tendencies. As of the records, two million Americans suffer the disruptive and distressing implications of bipolar illness.

The mood states of bipolar illness follow a spectrum. At an early stage of manic-depressive disorder, hypomania takes place. In this state, the person shows extreme level of energy that can result to reckless and impulsive behaviors. For the person suffering from bipolar illness, he is behaving rightly and will deny that anything is wrong. But for his family and friends, they can already recognize the unlikely behaviors of that person.

The early signs of bipolar illness can be mistaken to other problems such as caused by drug or alcohol abuse. In the latter process, the person can then experience full clinical depression.

There are various treatments to stabilize the mood of a person with bipolar illness.

The popularly known stabilizer is lithium. This is a helpful medication to control mania and the reoccurrence of both mania and depression episodes. In recent clinical techniques, carbamazepine and valproate are also used as anticonvulsants in cases of refractory episodes of bipolar illness. Scientists have tested the efficiency of anticonvulsant medications in the process of kindling. Kindling is the process when the brain gradually increases its sensitivity to stress, thus resulting to abnormal activities and behaviors. While lithium is found to block the kindling process in its early signs, carbamazepine and valproate work for the later stages. For the acute cases of mania, valproate drugs are recommended. These are approved treatments by the Food and Drug Administration. For those patients with severe bipolar illness and do not respond to these medications, the electroconvulsive therapy or ECT is of great value. This is an effective treatment even for severe depression mixed with frequent mania.

To counteract the effects of hyperactivity such as insomnia, benzodiazepines clonazepam and lorazepam are helpful medications. It is also important to make an analysis of the behavioral pattern of the patient as a tool in finding the right treatment to the symptoms of bipolar illness.

Bipolar illness is a mental disorder that should readily be treated before its further complications. Otherwise, repeated depression can occur and lead to another behavioral and mental problem. And in some cases, mania can be the major problem with occurrences of sudden depression. These are indications that a long term or prophylactic treatment is highly needed.

Bipolar II Disorder: The Signs, Symptoms and Treatment to Cope Up With This Brain Disorder

2009-06-03T17:39:00.001-07:00

In order to live a normal and productive life, you should have a healthy body. This is what most people often say and believe. However, what most people don’t know is that they should also consider that their brain should also function normally. Besides, having a brain that doesn’t function properly can affect the way you live your daily life.

Today, recent advances and research in psychiatry have found different kinds of brain disorders that can affect almost everyone. One such brain disorder is called bipolar disorder. This particular disorder can affect the way you control your mood or your emotion. Normally, there are some instances where you feel some ups and downs, depending on your environment. This means that when something happens that you like, you will feel happy or when something happens that you don’t like, you will feel depressed. This is a normal reaction of your body.

However, a person suffering from bipolar disorder cannot control their mood. There will be a constant cycle of depressive and manic episodes where a person will feel excessively happy and excessively depressed at no reason at all. People suffering from bipolar disorder can seem unusually happy or sad at some intervals. Severe cases of bipolar disorder have been known to cause several noticeable mood swings in a single day.

As mentioned before, there are two episodes that a person suffering from bipolar disorder experiences. The first one is the manic episode where a person will feel extremely happy, feels that they have a lot of energy, feels that they don’t need sleep and others. The person in the manic episode will usually talk very fast with racing thoughts that results in jumping from one idea to another. He or she will also be irritable and will not accept that there is something wrong.

In the depressive episode, the person will feel depressed and excessively sad. They will feel that they are useless, they will be irritable, they feel restless, they feel that they need to sleep, and in severe cases of bipolar disorder, they think about death and suicide where they can attempt to commit suicide.

As you can see, bipolar disorder is a very serious illness.

Another kind of bipolar disorder is called bipolar II. The symptoms are very much the same but the manic episode in bipolar II are not as severe as bipolar disorder. However, the depressive episode is the same or even worse in bipolar II. In the manic episode, the symptoms are not so severe that it can never really affect their daily life. They will still be able to function in their daily activities with no problem at all only that they will feel more energetic than normal.

However, the depressive episode in bipolar II is very much the same as bipolar disorder where the person suffering from bipolar II can suffer from the same symptoms as bipolar disorder. There are some cases where bipolar II is very severe that people with this condition attempted to commit suicide.

You have to consider that bipolar II is also a serious mental condition that needs attention in order for it to become stable and not get any worse.

First of all, bipolar and bipolar II cannot be cured. The technology to cure bipolar and bipolar II is not yet available. However, there are treatments that people should consider in order to help them cope up with bipolar disorder as well as bipolar II. The treatment will consist of psychotherapy, and medication. During the psychotherapy sessions, the family should get involved in order to let them understand about bipolar II and help them learn how to cope with it. The patient is also taught several methods to minimize the effects of the episodes associated with bipolar II mainly the depressive episode.

The psychotherapy can be strengthened by prescribing some medications that can normalize the mood of the patient. This means that the medication can help the patient prevent their brains to reach a depressive state or manic state.

These are some of the things that you should know about bipolar disorder and bipolar II. Always remember that it is essential that this condition should be detected early on by basing on the signs and symptoms in order to treat it as early as possible and prevent it from becoming worse.

Bipolar II Disorder: A Brain Disorder That Can Make Your Life Difficult To Live

2009-06-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

The most important organ in the human body is the brain, without it, the human body cannot function at all. The brain is like the microprocessor of a computer that is responsible for controlling everything. From your basic motor skills to making your body organs function to making decisions, everything is controlled by the brain.

This is why it is important that you should also be aware of your mental health and not just your physical health.

Today, there are now a lot of known facts about the different kinds of brain disorder that can affect the way you live your daily life. Some affects your motor skills, while other kinds of brain disorders can affect your decision making skills. There are also different causes for brain disorders. Some are caused by accidents while there are also brain disorders that are acquired since birth.

One such brain disorder is called bipolar II. Bipolar II affects your mood and with this kind of brain disorder, it can make you feel constantly depressed at no reason at all. Bipolar II is also associated with at least one hypomanic episode. Unlike bipolar disorder where manic and depressive moods are always associated, bipolar II makes a person experience one or more depressive episodes and is accompanied by one hypomanic episode at the least.

During the hypomanic episode, the person with bipolar II will feel a constant elevated, irritable or expansive mood. This particular feeling will usually last up to 4 days or more. During this phase, you will see that the behavior is entirely different from a normal non-depressed mood. The symptoms associated with bipolar II hypomanic episodes are quite similar to bipolar disorder during manic episodes but is less severe.

The major depression episodes associated with bipolar II can make a person feel excessively depressed and can make him or her feel that they are useless. The person suffering from this illness will also make them pessimistic and make them feel helpless. In severe cases of bipolar II disorder, the person may even think of death or suicide and even makes suicide attempts.

The hypomanic episodes associated with bipolar II is usually not severe enough that it can affect a person suffering from this disorder with their social activities, performance at work or school and there are no psychotic features. It is considered that if a person experiences four of more hyponamic and depressive episodes in a single year, the person has a rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. The particular cycling period will develop during the course of the illness. This means that the longer that the illness is left untreated, the more frequent the person will suffer from the illness.

You have to consider that bipolar II is a version of bipolar disorder. However, the depressive episodes are more obvious than the manic episodes. Bipolar II is not classified as manic-depression, but only large mood and energy swings. However, there are also severe forms of bipolar II where the person suffering from it can make him prone to commit suicide.

As you can see, bipolar II is a very serious illness that should not be left unchecked. As soon as you notice the signs and symptoms for bipolar II, it is important that you should seek help immediately. You have to consider that bipolar II has treatments that can minimize the effect of the illness in your daily life. The treatment will consist of psychotherapy, and medications that can normalize your mood. It is also important that your family and friends should fully support you in order to help you fully recover.

The therapy will also include helping you to cope up with the illness. It will include different methods that you can use to minimize the effect of the illness.

Bipolar II, like the bipolar disorder, is a long term illness that needs constant long term care and management. With patience, you will be able to take control of your life again and minimize the negative effects of bipolar II.

Be aware of bipolar II and live a more normal and productive lifestyle. Never be a slave of this illness again by detecting it early on and getting it treated.

The Bipolar Handbook: A Complete Guide about Manic Depressive Illnesses

2009-06-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

There are many people who are unaware or are uninformed about the different kinds of mental disorders. One kind of mental disorder is called bipolar disorder. This particular disorder is also called manic-depressive illness where the sufferer will show symptoms of constant mood change.
The person suffering from this kind of disorder will constantly change from being excessively happy, to excessively sad to normal state and back again. The cycle repeats again over a period of a few minutes to a month. Some cases have cycles that lasts more than a month.

You have to consider that this kind of disorder is a very serious mental condition where it can affect a person's everyday life. You have to consider that with this illness the person suffering will have problems with their relationships, and also have problems regarding their performance at work or at school.

Bipolar disorder usually shows its signs and symptoms during late adolescent years to early adulthood. However, there are some cases where the signs and symptoms will show up as early as childhood to later in life. Although there are no significant theories supporting the causes of bipolar disorder, there are informative books that can help you determine if a person has bipolar disorder and help you cope up with it.

One such book is called the "The Bipolar Handbook". Written by Wes Burgess, M.D, PhD, a well known Los Angeles psychiatrist, the "The Bipolar Handbook" is comprised of comprehensive information about the illness. This particular handbook can be helpful in informing you about the bipolar disorder where it can affect almost anyone.

This book is based upon real questions of patients and families regarding the disorder. This book is considered to be one of the best books available to know more about bipolar disorder. It is easy to read and contains all the information about bipolar disorder and how you can cope up with it. There are also different home diagnostic included that can teach you and the family to know whether you have a bipolar disorder or not.

Another great thing about this book is that it contains different information about bipolar disorder and how it is treated. It also includes theories about the causes of bipolar disorder, the different medical and psychotherapy treatments, and also different healthy lifestyle for people with bipolar disorder. You can consider this book as a self-help book for bipolar disorder sufferers where they will be informed about the condition and how they can cope up with it. The book is also useful for families for taking care of their family member with bipolar disorder.

You should consider that the author, Wes Burgess is a respected psychiatrist all over the world who specializes in bipolar disorder. This means that you can be sure that the book will contain accurate and comprehensive information about the different aspect of the illness. This book contains real questions with up to date answers about bipolar disorder.

With this book, you will be able to know how to cope up with bipolar disorder and help yourself live a healthier and more productive lifestyle. It will also contain different information about the different medications available for bipolar disorder and what you should do when you have an episode or attack of mood change.

Here are some quick review of what's inside the book and what to expect in it:

• What to expect when pursuing a diagnosis

• How to choose the doctor or specialist for you

• How to get bipolar disorder under control

• How to reduce stress to prevent both manic and depressive phase

• What kind of treatments and medications available and what's best for you

• What family and friends can do with bipolar disorder

These are some of the things that you can expect to read in the book. You can also expect to read different strategies for coping with bipolar disorder in order to be successful in your career and, build a healthy and working relationship with your significant other, friends, and families.

You have to remember that there is no cure for bipolar disorder. The best thing you can do is to have it treated, and live your life as best as you can with the disorder. You have to consider that the illness is manageable and with this book, you will know how to effectively manage bipolar disorder.

Medicine or Talk Therapy: Common Bipolar Disorder Treatment

2009-06-02T17:37:00.000-07:00

It is not forever that you or your loved one will suffer from the destructing symptoms of bipolar disorder. There are ways to combat the said illness such as undergoing bipolar disorder treatment.

There are two types of bipolar disorder treatment, pharmacological and psychotherapeutic.

Pharmacological treatment refers to the use of medicine. Commonly, medicines are used to stabilize intense mood swings caused by depression and mania. Some medications are also prescribed to control attacks of severe anxiety. Pharmacological treatment is categorized into five such as:

1. Anti-anxiety medications and sedatives

There are different types of sedatives which gives relief to individuals with bipolar disorder. This type of medication is used to help the patient achieve the amount of sleep he needs. Sedatives also help patients lessen their apprehension. Most importantly, it helps them control severe episodes of manic.

Some known sedatives used for bipolar disorder are hypnotics, tranquilizers, anxiolytics and benzodiazepines.

2. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are widely and regularly prescribed to people with bipolar disorder. There are different types of antidepressants.

? Atypical antidepressant is an example of antidepressant which is chemically not related to other antidepressants. Some examples under this type are Desyrel, Remeron and Wellbutrin.
? Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or commonly referred to as MAOIs helps ease the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Manerix, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate are some drugs under this type.
? Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SNRIs is a type of antidepressants which concentrates on a neurotransmitter.
? Selective Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SSNRIs like the above-mentioned types of antidepressants help patients' sufferings from the many symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some known drugs related to this are Cymbalta and Effexor.
? Common examples of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs are Celexa, Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac, Luvox and Zoloft.
? Tricyclics antidepressant includes Anafranil, Elavil, Asendin, Norpramin, Aventyl, and Adapin.

3. Antipsychotics

This type of pharmacological treatment is referred to as "neuroleptic drugs." Common antipsychotics are sometimes termed as "major tranquilizers," because its chief responsibility is to put under sedation the patient taking it.

There are three major types of antipsychotic drugs such as atypical, typical and dopamine partial agonists. Other options for antipsychotic drugs are Symbyax and Tetrabenazine.

4. Mood Stabilizers

Mood stabilizer is a type of medication to minister "mood disorders." There are a lot of drugs to stabilize mood to use for individuals with bipolar disorder. "Lithium carbonate" is the first mood stabilizer to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is also widely used.

There are some mood stabilizers out in the market today which are not yet approved by the FDA. There are possible uneventful consequences when taking unapproved drugs. Hence it is important to consult with your physician the stabilizer that is well suited for you and is FDA approved.

5. Calcium Channel Blockers

If an individual's bipolar disorder is negligible and manageable, then calcium channel blockers may be appropriate.

The major function of calcium channel blockers is to drop the blood pressure. Additionally, it slows down the transmission of electrical activity inside the heart which then results to lowered heart rate.

There are three major categories under calcium channel blockers such as Dihydropyridine, Phenylalkylamine, and Benzonthiazepine.

Medications should be prescribed by psychiatrists proficient in analysis and treatment of mental disorders.

Another type of bipolar disorder treatment is psychotherapy which is sometimes referred to as "talk therapy."

This type of treatment encourages the patient to openly talk about the possible causes of depression. You will also have the chance to communicate about the factors which trigger incidents of bipolar disorder.

Upon knowing the causes and triggers of manic depression, then you will arrive at achievable solutions to administer or evade triggers.

There are two kinds of psychotherapy. Interpersonal therapy has a goal to help you modify your behavior so that you will have a positive relation to other people. On the other hand, cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to assess your belief and feelings that should lead you to alter your response to different events.

The pains and sufferings caused by bipolar disorder can be generally treated. Patience and perseverance is needed during the treatment period since most of the time patients undergo a long-term medication either pharmacological or psychotherapy.

Bipolar Disorder: Tests for Determining If a Person Has Bipolar Disorder

2009-06-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

In order to live a normal life, it is important for a person to have good physical health. However, you should also consider that your mental health is also important. The brain is what controls everything you do in your daily life. It controls your speech, it controls your motor skills and it also controls your emotions. Although you are the person who decides whether you are in a bad mood or in a good mood, there are some people with mental disorder that cannot control their emotions.

This kind of disorder is called bipolar disorder or commonly called as manic-depressive illness. Many people call this manic-depressive illness because a person suffering from this kind of disorder cannot control their emotions or their mood. You will notice that a person suffering from bipolar disorder have constant mood swings. In one moment, you will see that they are happy and the next minute they will get depressed at no reason at all.

Bipolar disorder is a serious condition that can affect the daily activities of those affected. Since they constantly change their mood, they will have trouble with their relationships as well as their performance in school or at work. You have to consider that a lot of marriages and friendship, as well as school grades and jobs have been lost due to bipolar disorder.

This is why you should be aware of this serious problem as it can affect the way a person live their lives negatively. There are some cases that bipolar disorder sufferers have come to the point of attempting to commit suicide. The depressive phase of the disorder makes them feel useless and let them think that they are useless and should no longer exist. With this kind of thought, it will result in thinking about death and suicide and in some cases, some people who suffers from bipolar disorder commits suicide.

You will also notice that in the manic phase, the person suffering from bipolar disorder is extremely active. They are excessively optimistic, they feel euphoria, and they also feel that they can do anything. During this phase, the person will also talk a lot and talk fast, they also have increased energy, and increased sex drive.

However, during the manic phase of the bipolar disorder, the person has too much in his or her mind that they are unable to concentrate. They usually jump from one idea to another and refuse to admit that something is wrong. This is why bipolar disorder should be treated. It is a condition that can endanger the life of the sufferer and also the people around him or her.

In order to get an effective treatment for bipolar disorder, it is important that it should be detected early on. Usually, the first signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder occur during late adolescent years to early adulthood. However, there are some cases where bipolar disorder signs and symptoms occur during childhood and later in life.

In order to determine if a person has bipolar disorder, the psychiatrist will perform several tests on the patient. You have to consider that bipolar disorder cannot be detected on CAT scans or X-Rays. The only way to determine if you have a bipolar disorder is by visiting a psychiatrist. He or she will let you answer some questions about your manic and depressive moods. The test will consist of several questions, such as "I feel powerful and I feel that I can do anything", "I feel very energetic", "I don’t need to sleep", and others in the manic phase. In the depressive phase, questions will be "I am really sad most of the time", "I'm always tired but I find it hard to get out of bed", "I feel restless" and others.

Both of manic and depressive phases will cause problems in relationships and at work or school. This is why it is important that if you notice that you are having problems with your emotions, you should visit your psychiatrist immediately. The psychiatrist will be able to perform a series of tests to determine if you have a bipolar disorder and what kind of bipolar disorder you have.

Bipolar disorder cannot be cured. However, this particular brain disorder can be treated. You have to consider that this is a long term illness that will require long term treatment. With patience, you will be able to live a more normal and productive life.

Bipolar Disorder: Treatments and Medications

2009-06-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

The brain is one of the most important parts of the body. Without it, you will be unable to live. The brain controls every part of a human's body and is responsible for everything that you do. It is responsible for your basic motor skills, such as walking, or handling things and it is also responsible for the way you feel or your emotions.

There are different kinds of emotions that you can feel throughout your life. There are times where you are happy, and there are also times where you will feel depressed about something. This is a normal reaction to the environment. If something pleases you, you will be happy and if something bad happens, you will feel depressed.

However, there are some cases where people suffer from a brain disorder where they have no total control of their emotions. This particular disorder is called bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that can affect your emotions or your mood. It is an illness where you will have little or no control of your emotions where you will experience different kinds of emotions at fluctuating intervals. People with bipolar disorder often get depressed even when there is nothing to be depressed about. Even when you cheer that person up, you will see that it will have no effect on that person. You will also see that the mood will change to extreme euphoria where they will feel very happy and have gradual increase in their energy.

Mood change is a normal thing. However, people with bipolar disorder experiences mood changes at an interval. You will see that in one moment they are depressed and will suddenly become happy at no reason at all.

There are two classifications of symptoms for bipolar disorder. One is the manic episode, and the other is the depressive episode. In the manic episode, the person with bipolar disorder will have increased energy, talkative, unusually in a high or euphoric mood, irritable, have racing thoughts that can result in loss of concentration and jumping from one idea to another, unrealistic beliefs in their abilities and powers, increased sex drive, denial that anything is wrong, aggressive behavior, and abuse of substances, such as drugs and alcohol.

In depressive episode, the person with bipolar disorder will experience long duration of sadness, empty mood, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, feelings of hopelessness, being pessimistic, loss of interest in activities that is considered to be pleasurable such as sex, sleeping too much or can't sleep at all, feelings of irritability, and thoughts of death or suicide. Sometimes, there comes a point where they even attempt to commit suicide.

These are the two classifications of the different signs and symptoms for bipolar disorder. Because of the symptoms associated, bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. Because of the constant mood change, bipolar disorder can affect a person's social life. It can also affect a person with this disorder their job or school performance. They will also constantly experience making and losing friends because of their behavior.

You have to consider that bipolar disorder is a serious illness that should be treated with careful management. It is important that bipolar disorder should be treated immediately as soon as the signs and symptoms for it appear. Treatment will consist of psychotherapy and medication.

Psychotherapy can help the patient determine if they are going through a mood change and will also help them control their emotions better. However, there are cases where psychotherapy isn’t enough. Medication is usually prescribed for bipolar disorder where it can normalize their emotions. Here are some of the mood-stabilizing medications available in the market that can effectively treat bipolar disorder:

• Lithium
• Anticonvulsant medications, such as valproate and lamotrigine

It is important that before starting a new medication for bipolar disorder, you should always consult your psychiatrist first as it may have some side effects. Depending on the medication, the side effects may include tremors, reduced sex drive, hair loss, anxiety, weight gain or loss, and dry mouth.

The treatments mentioned can effectively manage the bipolar disorder. You should consider that there is still no cure for bipolar disorder. It is a long term illness which requires long term treatment with psychotherapy and also medications.

Sugar and Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder an Overview

2009-05-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Sugar and Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder is a book about a middle aged woman who had and managed to survive bipolar disorder also known as Manic-depression, but along the way experiences the bitter and sweet moments of life in a not so normal way. She only knew of her illness when she turned 32. In the book, it is vividly detailed what it is like to live in a family threatened by such an illness, how to fit in school or do work while dealing with the undiagnosed illness. She also describes her ordeal of facing the failure of her marriage and other relationships, how she tries to understand that, however she tries to live a normal life it just bounce back and still she lives a very different and more complicated life than the persons she knew. Until she admits that there is something wrong about her and that she needs professional help.

After the acceptance of the strange malady within her comes the long journey to get treatment as she tries one medication after the other after being mistaken for a psychotic. For more or less five years her life was devoted in seeking the proper knowledge and ways to approach the said disorder that she has been putting up for such a long time until the part came where she realizes that for her to get the proper treatment she needs she had to enter a mental hospital. She illustrates the life she had lived in a locked ward and how fortunate she was when her attending physician finally finds a certain medication that her disorder responds to. She feels that she had the key to break free from her long ordeal and finally she gets the normal feeling she always wanted.

As she makes progress in the medication her disorder responds to she reaches the point where she can now get out of the mental hospital and live like a normal person. Jane had to face the world on her own again and start a brand new life. She was able to get the private life she wanted and the dream job that she had been always dreaming of without her bosses and co-employees knowing her deep, dark secret. But, after ten long years, unfortunately she develops an allergy to the one and only medication that has been of very good service to her and must start the treatment all over again.

At some point in the process, she loses the job she had dreamt about and falls back into the deep ditches of depression. It is a very touching story about a woman's triumph over her bipolar disorder that for the second time has threatened her and once again she survived it. Find out how she managed to surpass it and how you too can mange the disorder through medication and therapy should you find out that you have such illness or maybe a family member experiences such a scary disease. The author, Jane Thompson has worked as a paralegal, a teacher, as a social worker not to mention as a writer. It's been several years now since she wrote for the publisher of a certain political encyclopedia and has also served as one of the medical writer for a training corporation.

It was such experiences that she came to learn how to express herself with great conciseness and accuracy. When the author decided to write her very own story which is the Sugar and Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder, her experience aided her in getting her work printed on paper. And so with her experience, as a medical writer and her stock knowledge about mental health issues, those made it a bit easier for her to write the said story. When the author just started, she had twenty short stories printed already and Sugar and Salt: My Life with Bipolar Disorder is her first book. Currently Jane Thompson is the author of Mosby's Clinical Nursing, a comprehensive reference in clinical nursing to be included as a reference in the educational program materials of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. She is also the co-author of Secrets Volume 15: The Best in Erotic Romance, Jane Thompson was also the editor of American Express Presents Top Chefs of the Triangle and a lot more.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Children Scary or Challenging Ordeal

2009-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

Bipolar disorder is a serious illness of the brain that is treatable and is also known by the term manic-depression. Its symptoms may include extreme changes in energy, thinking, behavior and mood or recurrent episodes of depression, mania. These symptoms may occur during the infancy period or early childhood, and or may come out rapidly in the stage of adolescence or adulthood. The said illness can now be diagnosed and treated in young children, but despite of the many studies conducted, some professionals still say that the cause or causes of bipolar disorder are elusive and a truly effective cure is yet to be discovered. However, the said disorder can be managed through numerous medications and other therapies.

Though the exact bipolar causing agents are not determined yet, some say that there is a scientific proof that points to a chemical imbalance in the brain as the culprit. As for the reason of such disparity, there are some viable theories which points out to a combination of environmental and heredity triggers. Some data shows that the discrepancy in the chemical messengers among the nerve cells starting at the brain or the so-called neurotransmitters that happen in individuals who have bipolar disorder. In most cases patients of such illness may have a genetic nature for the disorder. On the other hand, not every person who is related to a person who has a bipolar disorder may develop the illness.

Drug misuse and or nerve-racking or upsetting events may be some of the factors that may cause it. Individuals with such disorder often don't know how sick they are when having more than just a mood swing and how much their condition is affecting their lives and even the lives of the people within their family. Should a member of one's family show signs of a bipolar disorder, advice that person to consult the help of a psychiatrist or any professional help that may assist him or her to deal with it.

A bipolar disorder is usually characterized by the alternating pattern of emotional highs and lows and from which the intensities may vary. The so-called manic symptom includes increased talking either too much or too fast, tends to change topics too quickly or cannot be interrupted while talking. Increased sexual thoughts, feelings, or behavior; use of explicit sexual language or Hypersexuality may also occur. The child may also have the ability to go with very little sleep or no sleep for days. Some patient show overly-inflated self-esteem; or the display of grandiosity while some tend to be somewhat like distracted, the attention moves constantly from one thing to the other. Others experience increased goal-directed activity or physical agitation.

Other symptoms that characterize the said disorder are the depressive ones that include sudden lack of interest in the activities once enjoyed, trouble with sleeping or getting too much sleep, feelings of unimportance or unsuitable guilt, significant change of mood and or frequent thoughts of death or even suicidal tendencies. Should the disorder remain untreated some complications may rise such as Anxiety Disorder or even Psychosis, where in the personality of a person may be disorganized and has difficulty getting in touch with reality. It may also result to destructive effects on relationships as it may be with financial problems resulting from overspending in the event of a manic episode up to nearly complete seclusion and abandonment in the depressive stage.

Bipolar disorder in teenagers can be effectively treated. Treatments usually start on the education of the patient and the family about the disease, prevention of the episodes and psychotherapy. Medications on the other hand help prevent episodes. Medications such as mood stabilizers like lithium and valporic acid often lessens the severity of manic episodes and may help prevent depression. Meanwhile, psychotherapy aids the patients in understanding what he or she is going through, understand himself or herself, cope up with the stresses, improve relationships and rebuild self-esteem.

Some diagnoses that mask or sometimes occur along with bipolar disorder include depression, conduct disorder (C.D.), oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD),ADHD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and so much more. There is a great possibility that bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed with these other disorders. Even if a child's behavior is unquestionably not normal, correct diagnosis remains challenging. The proper treatment for the Bipolar Disorder clears up the bothersome symptoms thought to indicate another diagnosis.

The analysis of Bipolar Disorder in children and teens is intricate and involves careful judgment and or observation. A careful assessment by a child and adolescent psychiatrist makes out Bipolar Disorder and the start of the treatment.

Bipolar Disorder for Dummy: Simplified Explanation of What Bipolar Disorder Is and How You Can Cope With It

2009-05-29T17:33:00.000-07:00

The brain is one of the most important parts of the body. Think of the brain as the part of your body that controls everything you do in your daily life. It controls everything from walking, talking, and other motor skills that you do. However, you should also consider that the brain also controls your emotions and your mood. This means that the brain is also responsible for you being happy or angry.

The brain is the most active part of the brain and even while you sleep, the brain continues to function. Since the brain controls everything about your body, you should consider that getting it damaged can cause some irregularities in your daily function. In some cases, some brain disorder is present since birth. One brain disorder is called bipolar disorder or also called manic depressive illness. This particular disorder affects the person's mood and emotions.

You will notice when a person is suffering from bipolar disorder when they constantly change their behavior. You will see that one moment they will be extremely happy and the next minute, they will feel depressed and back again to being happy. Although mood changes happen to everyone, you have to consider that normal mood change will take some time to happen. The abnormal mood change suggests that this person has a bipolar disorder.

Depending on the severity of the disorder, unusual and extreme mood change can last for a few minutes to as long as a month. Because of this unusual behavior, it can dramatically affect their social life as well as their performance at work or at school. You should consider that this is a very serious condition where it has to be managed carefully in order for a person with bipolar disorder lead a normal life.

There are cases where bipolar disorder is left untreated and results in dangerous situation, such as suicide attempts and substance abuse. This is why you should be careful when someone in your family or your circle of friends have this particular condition as it can be dangerous for the people around them and also for themselves as well.

Bipolar disorder has no cure but there are treatments available in order for people with this disorder lead a more normal life. Psychotherapy is one of the best treatments for bipolar disorder where a person with this condition can learn how to control their unstable emotions and also know when there is an attack of mood changes happening. With psychotherapy, people with bipolar disorder can distinguish between what's normal and what's not.

There are also medications available that can stabilize the mood changes to normal levels and prevents it from getting out of control. It is important that once you notice something unusual about a family member or a friend's behavior, you should seek help for them immediately as people with bipolar disorder are very unpredictable and can think and attempt to commit of suicide anytime.

If it is possible, you should recommend that they should see a psychiatrist. You have to be insistent because people with bipolar disorder often deny that there is something wrong with them and they will be aggressive.

Bipolar disorder is a serious long term condition that requires long term treatment with psychotherapy and medications. There is no cure for it but there are treatments for it that will enable people with bipolar disorder lead a healthier and more normal life.

Carefully managing this condition can result in a more productive life for the person with bipolar disorder. It is also important that the family of the person with this condition should continually support him or her.

Early detection can result in a much more productive lifestyle for the person suffering from this disorder. So, you noticed some irregular change in a person's behavior or mood, you should immediately refer to a psychiatrist about the symptoms. They will be able to conduct a diagnosis about the condition and will recommend therapy and medication that can help them lead a normal and more productive life.

Bipolar disorder is a disabling medical condition that can result in unproductive and abnormal lifestyle. They will suffer from social problems, and their physical health will also deteriorate if not treated.

These are some of the things you should know about bipolar disorder in order for you to know how you can cope up with it.

Your Child and Bipolar Disorder: What You Should Know and What You Should Do

2009-05-29T17:32:00.000-07:00

As a parent, your child is one of the most important persons in the world. It is a fact that parents are normally concerned about their child and ensures getting the best health possible in order for them to grow up happy. You should consider that as a parent, you should not only be concerned about your child's physical health but you should also be considered with their mental health as well.

It is a fact that there are certain brain disorders that can develop on childhood and can get worse as they grow up. As a parent, you should be aware of your child's activity in order to know if they have normal brain function. You have to consider that there are a lot of people today who has brain disorder called bipolar disorder. This particular brain disorder can affect a person's social life, and it can also affect their daily activities. If your child has a bipolar disorder, it can affect their performance in school and also their relationship with other kids and even their relationship with their parents.

Bipolar disorder is also called manic depressive illness where it can cause unusual mood shifts. You will see that your child has bipolar disorder if they shift from being unusually happy to being depressed or sad and back again to being happy happening almost instantly. The symptoms for bipolar disorder can be normally seen during early adulthood or on late adolescent years. However, you have to consider that bipolar disorder symptoms can also appear as early as childhood but most parents are not well-informed about this disorder and consider their child's unusual behavior as normal.

You have to consider that bipolar disorder can affect your child's life as they grow up. It can cause relationship problems and can severely affect their daily functions. This is why you should be aware of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder. Here are some signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder in order for you to detect if your child has this condition at its early stages:

• Excessive happiness
• Excessive depression
• Increased energy
• Sleeplessness
• Excessive irritability
• Talks very fast
• Unrealistic beliefs of their ability and powers
• Poor judgment
• Aggressive behavior

As you can see, a child with bipolar disorder is very hard to detect. Some parents even consider that these behaviors are normal and will disappear once they reach a certain age. So, in order for you to know if your child has this condition, you should take notice on their mood. If they shift from being happy to being sad and depressed and back to being happy again at a very quick interval, there is a chance that your child has bipolar disorder.

If you notice this mood changes in your child, you should consult your pediatrician immediately where they will be able to recommend a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will be the one who will treat your child and they will also be the one to prescribe some medications.

You have to consider that bipolar disorder has no cure. But, there are treatments that your child can go through in order to develop an effective way to control their mood and also their behavior. There are medications for bipolar disorder available today where it can normalize your child's mood.

It is extremely important that your child should be immediately treated for this kind of disorder in order to prevent it from becoming any worse. If left untreated, your child can grow up and develop severe bipolar disorder that can lead to thoughts of suicide and attempt it.

Effective treatment for bipolar disorder means that it should be detected and diagnosed early in life. This means that once you notice that your child has an unusually behavior, you should immediately consult your pediatrician or your psychiatrist. They will be able to determine if they have bipolar disorder or not by basing on the symptoms shown.

As a parent, your child is one of the most important persons in the world. It is just right that you should be concerned about their physical and mental health. With proper care and also with support, you will ensure that your child will grow up normally and can fight bipolar disorder throughout their lives.

Bipolar Disorder: A Crippling Disease That You Should Be Aware Of

2009-05-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Many people believe that having a perfectly healthy body means that they will be able to live a normal and productive life. However, having a healthy body alone is not enough in order to live a normal life. You have to consider that mental health is also very important. Besides, the brain is the organ that controls everything in your body. Having a brain defect means that it can have significant impact on the way you live your daily life.

You have to consider that there are several kinds of brain disorder. Some types of brain disorder can affect your basic motor skills, some can affect your senses, some can affect the memory, and some can affect the emotions and moods of a person. Bipolar disorder is one of the many brain diseases existing today. This particular brain disorder can have negative impact in your life because this disease affects a part of the brain that controls emotions and moods.

With a bipolar disorder, you can never have complete control of your moods and emotions. It will cycle from manic episodes to depressive episodes that can disable you in your daily tasks. The psychological symptoms for bipolar disorder include mania and depression. These are the two classifications of bipolar disorder and this is also the reason why this disease is also called manic-depressive illness.

In the manic episodes, the person suffering with bipolar disorder will experience excessive euphoria or a feeling of high. This means that the mood of a person is at a high where he or she has increased energy, feeling of not needing to sleep, racing thoughts, and also confusion about certain ideas. You will notice that a person that suffers from mania jumps from one idea to another and will seem that they can never make up their mind about it. Another factor that you should consider in the manic episodes of bipolar disorder is that the person will be extremely optimistic, very irritable and cannot concentrate well. They will never admit that something is wrong.

In the depressive episode, the person suffering from bipolar disorder will experience excessive depression. The mood will be excessively sad, very pessimistic, decreased or no interest in doing an activity that is pleasurable which includes sex, and they will often think about death and suicide. In severe cases of bipolar disorder in the depressive episode, the person suffering will actually commit suicide.

As you can see, this particular disease is a very serious illness that needs careful management and care. Because of the constant cycle of the moods of the person suffering from bipolar disorder, they will never be able to concentrate on their daily tasks. This means that having bipolar disorder can disable you because it can affect your performance level at work or at school negatively. You should also consider that because of the effects of bipolar disorder, the person suffering from this illness will also have a poor social life and will often have relationship problems.

Bipolar disorder has no cure. However, there are treatments available today that can effectively manage the disease. The treatment will include psychotherapy, and medications. Sometimes, the psychiatrist will combine the therapy and medication to effectively manage bipolar disorder.

It is important to remember that there is no cure for bipolar disorder and this particular disease is considered as a long term illness that needs long term careful management and care. Also, bipolar disorder can never be detected through X-rays or CAT scans. The diagnosis is purely based on the symptoms shown. So, if you notice that you or a member of your family is showing some symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is important that you should seek help immediately. The psychiatrist you go to will be able to give you some effective bipolar disorder management strategies that you can use to minimize the effect of the illness. The specialist will also prescribe some medications that can reduce the effects of bipolar disorder

Always remember that careful management and care is the key to treat bipolar disorder. This disease is something that you will live with for the rest of your life and knowing how to effectively manage and treat it will mean that you will be able to take control of your moods and emotions again.

Depression Symptom Experienced By Bipolar Patients

2009-05-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Different illnesses often cause a lot of confusion among people. In recorded history, depression has been already cited. If you're familiar with Job and King David, they suffered from such disorder. Even Hippocrates mentioned about depression, but at that time, it was referred as melancholia which literarily meant black bile. Medical physiology before humored about the four fluids including black bile, yellow bile, blood, and phlegm. Arts and literature was also able to portray depression for many years. But today, what is meant by a depressive disorder?

Depressive disorders are not new, in fact, for many years people suffered from it without getting any treatment. Millions of people at present are not even aware that they have the disorder. And those that are already aware of it don’t want to accept such fact because they think it's quite embarrassing. Like other illnesses, depressive disorders are divided into types. People are familiar with major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder.

A person suffers from major depression if he or she exhibits symptoms of sad mood, inability to work, eat, sleep, and enjoy. The patient's lives are greatly affected. Dysthymia is less severe compared to major depression. Long term symptoms can be noted and some even have major depression episodes. Bipolar disorder involves depression or mania cycles. And though it can't be cured, the patients can still control and stabilize their episodes through treatments or medications.

Depressive disorders have many symptoms. And when a bipolar patient is in a cycle of depression, all depressive disorder symptoms can be experienced. However, if the person is in the cycle of mania, he will only experience symptoms associated with the cycle.

Here is a list of the depression symptoms felt by bipolar patients:

• Persistently anxious, sad, 'empty mood'
• Loss of pleasure and interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed by the individual
• Feelings of pessimism, hopelessness, guilt, helplessness, and worthlessness
• Oversleeping or insomnia
• Overeating that leads to weight gain
• Decreased appetite that leads to losing weight
• Thinks about death and suicide
• Decreased energy and fatigue
• Irritability and restlessness
• Can't make decisions, unable to concentrate or remember things
• Physical symptoms like chronic pain, headache, and digestive disorders

The following symptoms are not all felt by a bipolar patient. Some of them may experience only few of the symptoms while others may experience many. Each individual exhibits varying degrees of symptom severity.

In order to get the appropriate treatment, you must undergo a complete psychological and physical evaluation. This is necessary in order to determine the type of depressive illness that he or she is suffering. Bipolar depression symptoms may be caused by certain medical conditions or medications. Through a physician's interview, laboratory tests, and physical examination, the possibilities can be ruled out.

A diagnostic evaluation will look into the patient's history of symptoms and the physician will ask all sorts of questions like when the symptoms begun, how long it lasts, how severe, and if the symptoms already occurred. You will also be asked if you were previously treated and what medications were given to you. The doctor must also not forget to ask if the bipolar patient used drugs or alcohol, or if he or she ever thought about suicide and death. Questions pertaining to the medical history of family members should not be forgotten.

Bipolar depression symptoms can also affect the mental status of an individual. The evaluation can determine if an individual's thought pattern, speech, and memory is already affected. Mental disorders don’t require laboratory tests such as x-ray or blood tests. Powerful scans like MRI, CT, PET, and SPECT can't detect the brain changes of a bipolar patient and that of other mental illnesses.

Only the doctor can properly evaluate a bipolar patient's state. He can also aid the patient in getting the right treatment or medication necessary to control episodes. The symptoms need not frighten the patient's family or friends. Although the symptoms may seem quite normal for the individual, it still needs to be treated. It can be very alarming for other people because they might think that you’re insane, especially if you're already doing extreme things.

Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor. Check out the major symptoms of bipolar, and if you exhibit a few of the symptoms, perhaps you're suffering from bipolar.

Essential Overview on Bipolar Depression Characteristics

2009-05-27T17:30:00.001-07:00

Bipolar disorder in psychiatry is a medical diagnosis which refers to mania (mixed states or hypomania) alternated with euthymic or depressed mood (clinical depression) within a specific duration of time. Compared to ups and downs experienced by normal people, a person affected by a bipolar disorder can have extreme swings of moods which can last for a few minutes or even months. Changes in moods are often associated with disruption and distress with high suicidal tendencies. There are also instances linking bipolar disorder to extreme functioning. Most creative talents are attributing bipolar disorder on their creativity.

A bipolar disorder is categorized either as Type I or Type II. In Type I, a person may experience a full-blown mania. In Type II, the "highs" of a person never exceed the hypomania stage unless it was triggered by the mania medications. During manic periods, psychosis may occur. Rapid cycling is also possible. When talking about bipolar disorder, severity and problems connected with moods have its own variations. Thus, a bipolar spectrum disorder concept is employed more often which includes cyclothymia.

A bipolar disorder is involving periods of abnormally agitated moods which adds to the depressed mood condition. The intensity and duration of mood condition widely varies among people diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Moods can fluctuate from one state to another causing improved functioning or impairment depending on the highs and lows of moods and its severity. The energy level, social rhythms, cognitive functioning, activity level, and sleep pattern is also altered affecting the normal routine of a person.

The depression experienced by people having a bipolar disorder is similar to a clinical depression. The symptoms include persistent feelings of anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, hopelessness, and isolation, appetite and sleep disturbances, fatigue, escapism, lack of interest on things once enjoyed, problems concentrating, indifference or apathy, self-loathing, social anxiety or shyness, chronic pain, irritability, and suicidal tendencies.

When talking about disability, loss of productive years, potential suicidal tendency and duration, the periods of depression in a bipolar disorder are widely recognized today as the most severe problem of an individual. Sometimes, the mania periods are more disruptive and noticeable to other people.

Some types of serious depression are also accompanied by psychosis symptoms. It includes hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or sensing stimuli perceive to be there although it is not), delusions (false beliefs of a person that aren't subject to contradictory evidence or reason and aren't explained by a cultural concept), and escapism (creating diversions mentally to escape from unpleasant and perceived phases of stress).

These people may be also affected with paranoid thoughts that a powerful entity is monitoring or persecuting them. Some may think that those people who are close to them are conspiring and bullying against them. Greater levels of anxiety are felt without a cause. They felt that their family or friends are giving them up or leaving them. Unusual and intense religious beliefs is also present, thus some people strongly insists that historic and great missions are given to them to be accomplished believing that they have supernatural powers. Delusions can be more distressing in depressions. It is manifested in the form of a strong guilt for things that are supposedly done wrong inflicting the lives of other people. Numerous conflicting theories are created considering different causes associated with bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, nothing is accepted widely as correct.

The primary nature of a bipolar disorder is flux. It is the state of mental operation wherein a person is immersed fully on what she or he is doing, accompanied with a feeling of full involvement, energized focus, and success during the activity process. The biological markers of a bipolar disorder include mood, energy, sleep, activity, and thought. The bipolar disorder's diagnostic subtypes are sometimes static snapshots of the descriptions of the continual changes of an illness.

According to the US NIMH (United States National Institute of Mental Health), there is no predetermined cause of a bipolar disorder. However, lots of factors are acting together to create the illness. This disorder also runs in families, thus most researchers are searching for a specific gene which increases the possibility of developing the disease. Most findings suggest that the disorder is caused by multiple genes similar to other mental diseases.

Bipolar Workbook: A Tool for Controlling Mood Swing Successfully

2009-05-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

A biological illness which is believed to have genetic components is bipolar disorder. Thus treatment often involves combination of medicines in managing its symptoms. Psychological therapies are also incorporated to deal with the disorder in order to live a meaningful life. But, one person is different from another. So, managing a bipolar disorder also varies. Seeking professional help is essential to minimize episode attacks and achieve a successful treatment.

However, the simplest way is reading s bipolar workbook. It can provide people with easy resources giving sufferers what they need. The volumes are very useful, thoughtful, and readable, the issues of adherence and compliance in the therapy is compelling and comprehensive. It also provides a stable basis to prevent relapse. There is even a posted format on how clinicians apply different treatment approaches on the different stages of the disease.

Based from proven techniques of cognitive-behavioral therapy, this book can offer various tools for helping the readers to determine early signs and symptoms of an upcoming episode. Developed plans are posted to withstand manic episodes and escape depression paralysis. Specific chapters discussed the major challenges of different stages which start on how to overcome denial upon initial diagnosis to possible treatments as well as maintaining its gains. For a person to understand this workbook, learning about cognitive behavioral therapy is needed.

It is clear that CBT effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder lies on the key strength of therapeutic alliance. A collaborative strong relationship on the part of clinicians, respects for needs and preferences of patients, and answer to clinical assessments must be developed. The patients must trust their therapists not only for hearing what they wanted but also what they don't want to hear about their condition. Patients should feel comfortable upon telling about their symptoms.

Utilizing CBT in treating bipolar disorder needs a long-term commitment. The waning and waxing course needs reinforcement. It is because bipolar disorder symptoms will spontaneously remit even with the help of treatment will still recur either on its own or precipitated with events. The task of the clinician is to help the person not only to overcome the bipolar disorder symptoms and recover successfully from psychological consequences but also to be always prepared from its expected return.

This means that the therapy course is following an unconventional pattern. Generally, you should visit your clinician weekly. The first stage of treatment is teaching you the skills on how to reduce symptoms. As the treatment progress, you will observe that the feeling of being distressed is also decreased. Thus your weekly visits can be done once a month depending on your needs. Once stability is achieved, you may take a break from undergoing the therapy for a few moths or even in years. The therapy will again resume once you need it again.

The cues to resume the therapy include life transitions, stressful events, and recurrences of symptoms. In case the therapy is stop for more than six months, it is advisable to retain your contact with your therapist to keep updates of your current situation. This is helpful whenever the therapy resumes since the therapist know where to begin with.

Positive feedbacks also provide positive reinforcement from your therapist. Bonding between patients and the therapist is very important especially when the patient is having a hard time with regards to the treatment process and controlling of symptoms.

Psychotherapy is normally the stabilizing force in the patient's lives. Therapy visits could create a marking structure on the duration of episodes, monitoring progress, and achieving goals. The therapist's feedbacks about the progressive results cam make the patient feels good and accomplished.

Remember that optimal treatment of people having bipolar disorder requires an effective approach which integrates psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. A bipolar workbook associated with CBT is written with highest clarity. Readers can always obtain benefits from collective wisdom regarding the ways on how to intervene with the challenges of a bipolar disorder.

Those who are struggling with the disease have to know effective ways in controlling mood swings, avoiding relapse, and obtaining the effectiveness of treatments using medicines through utilizing the bipolar workbook. This is truly a sound framework for helping people with bipolar disorder, thus it doesn't have to affect you throughout your life.

The Manifestations shown by a Bipolar Child Helps in Proper Diagnosis

2009-05-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

A bipolar disorder or manic depression is a severe illness but can be treated. It's a brain disorder characterized by extreme swings of energy, mood, behavior, and thinking. The symptoms are present in early childhood or even during infancy. It can also suddenly emerge in adulthood or adolescence. But today, diagnosis of bipolar disorder in childhood is often made. It is because doctors can identify and treat young children with bipolar disorder easier now.

Early prevention and treatment provide greater chances of getting well, achieve stability, and enjoy life as these children grow up. Proper treatments reduce any adverse effects not only in the life of affected children but in their family as well.

The families of children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can become desperate for support and information. Learning about bipolar disorder is the first step for finding the right treatment. The occurrence of this condition in children is not yet known, since it lacks epidemiological studies. But bipolar disorder can affect almost 1% to 2% of adults all over the world. Diagnosing symptoms in children can prevent its long-term effects.

Children that are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the U.S. have ADHD (attention-deficit with hyperactivity disorder). The depression in teens and children is typically relapsing and chronic. Several studies reveal that 3.4 million significant proportions of children and young adults with depression is actually experiencing the early symptoms of a bipolar disorder however the manic phase is never yet experienced.

Marked changes of a bipolar disorder in terms of energy and moods are apparent in children. Persistent condition of extreme agitation or elation accompanied by high levels of energy is called mania while persistent condition of extreme irritability or sadness accompanied by low levels of energy is called depression.

This illness afflicting children may appear to be very different compared to adults. Generally, children have continuous, ongoing mood disturbances with combined symptoms of depression and mania. This severe and rapid cycling among moods can produce chronic irritability. Sometimes, state of wellness is manifested between episodes.

Parents revealed that their children that have bipolar disorder display symptoms such as irritable or expansive mood, lack of enthusiasm in play, extreme sadness, rapid mood swings that can last for several hours and even in days, rages that is lengthy, explosive, and destructive, separation anxiety, defies authority, hyperactivity, distractibility, agitation, night terrors, bed wetting, sleeping too little or too much, frequent and strong cravings for sweets and carbohydrates, excessively involve with multiple activities and projects, impaired judgment, racing thoughts, impulsivity, pressure on talking too much, display behaviors of a dare-devil, precocious or inappropriate sexual behavior, hallucinations and delusions, and grandiose belief or too much self confidence defying laws or logic.

Bipolar disorder symptoms may emerge earlier. The manifestations can even be diagnosed in infants. More often, mothers have reported that their children who are diagnosed later with a bipolar disorder have difficulty in sleeping and settle erratically. These children extraordinarily seemed clingy, and often had seizure-like, uncontrollable rages or tantrums that are sometimes not appropriate for a certain event. These rages are often triggered with the "no" word.

There are other factors that may triggers symptoms in teens. A traumatic event or loss can trigger the first episodes of mania or depression. Later episodes sometimes independently occur when stressed out. Puberty is another risk factor triggering the illness especially during menstrual cycle in girls. Once the disorder begins, the recurrence of episodes is possible in most untreated cases. Some studies show that a lag of ten years after the first episodes is possible. It is advisable that parents let their teens undergo an evaluation if more than four symptoms persist.

In addition, teens with bipolar disorder that is left untreated can lead to drugs and alcohol abuse. Some adolescents who display a normal behavior until puberty but experiences sudden onsets are more vulnerable to alcohol or drug addiction. Any child or teen that abuses such substances must be properly assessed. There are instances that the illness is highly genetic but environmental factors influences a lot if it will really occur.

There are studies conducted to further explore the characteristics of children with bipolar disorder. The results are promising thus the safety and effectiveness of treatments for adults are also appropriate for children.

Helpful Tips to Newcomers on a Bipolar Chat Room

2009-05-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

If you are a new comer to a particular bipolar chat room, you may probably have several concerns and questions. So, it is advised that you orient yourself about them before logging into the chat room.

A bipolar chat room can provide you with great benefits regardless of your present condition. Whether you are manic, depressed, or plain silly, you can talk it over to somebody as long as you are in the chat room. There is nothing to worry about since the entire concept of chat is really easy. Soon, you will be chatting similarly to a professional. Never forget your humor when talking with other people online.

You can also listen to other people talk after logging in and then later on chat with other roommates to share what is on your mind. You will never fail in getting support from them because they also experience the same highs and lows like you do.

Sometimes you can simply log into the chat room to see other people. You will feel relieve because you are not anymore alone. In fact, there are lots of chatters who are doing this. Compared to online coffee houses, the experience is the same. Thus, never be surprised if coffee and donuts are also served through the computer monitor, virtually of course.

However, like everything normal in life, occasional aggravation may sometimes be present. A bipolar chat room is no exception. You will encounter a person who is rubbing and bugging you more often. The solution is quite easy, just click the "ignore" button. This will keep you from viewing what that person is writing. In the same manner, it also hides what you are writing.

If you are a new comer, you need to familiarize some "lingo". The most common acronyms are PDOC or Psychiatrist, TDOC or Therapist, and LMBPAO or laughing my bipolar ass off. Others are the same like what you have seen in normal chat rooms. It includes cyl or see you later, brb or be right back, lol or laughing out loud, and cyber hugs ((( )))).

Never forget that a bipolar chat room has also its own rules, chatiquette, and guidelines. It is very important to understand it. Normally, a bipolar chat is a hosted chat according to schedule. During the scheduled chats, the hosts are there. However, hosting is not available on a 24-hour basis. So, it is necessary to keep the environment supportive and respectful for everyone. It is encouraged to click the "ignore" button whenever a troublesome chatter enters in case the host is absent. The hosts are not doctors. They also never pretend, but sharing their opinions is done freely and openly.

It is much easier to get acquainted if you use a nickname when you first enter a bipolar chat room. It is friendlier and nicer than using "guest". This will encourage other people to know you better. You will not go astray because websites already provide their log-in page with the guidelines on how to set up your password and nickname. The things that are asked upon application is your name, desired nickname, and email address. Always check the bulk folder of your email since you could also receive messages through it. The process depends on your internet service provider. The password sent to you by the website is needed to log-in successfully into their bipolar chat room. You can change this password once you logged in.

Never be overwhelmed if you will receive a thousand hellos. This is a normal way of acknowledging your arrival. Some new comers first observe what's going on inside the chat room. After familiarizing the atmosphere, they will start to chat. Shy people can directly speak with someone who patiently listens to others. Never be afraid to talk to the hosts and express who you are. If you don't know where to begin, just suggest a topic, it is pretty sure that somebody in the chat room will respond.

A bipolar chat room is created for people suffering from a bipolar disorder, their families and loved ones to support them to leading normal and healthy lives again. Always remember that you can meet people of all ages, personalities, nationalities, and religions. So, just enjoy and have fun.

Looking for a Support Group? Bipolar Chat is the Best Alternative

2009-05-25T17:28:00.000-07:00

The Internet is a great avenue to meet new friends. You can also research about all sorts of things. It can be used for communication purposes and many others. Perhaps you're already familiar with chat rooms; and many people use this to meet new friends or even a partner in life.

Millions of people use the Internet, day in and day out. But did you know that it can also be used by people who have illnesses? Bipolar is one condition that can't be cured. Once a person is diagnosed with this disorder, he is bound to suffer from it as long as he lives. The good news is that it can be treated and controlled. In fact, many conclusive studies show that medications are a good way to stabilize the mood swings of a bipolar patient.

Every bipolar patient requires a different treatment because symptoms greatly vary from each individual. Each person has a different body chemistry, lifestyle, and genetics. A treatment may work well for one person but not with another.

Once you're diagnosed with bipolar, the medical provider will instantly give you medications. You will be provided with a plan that is based on:

1. Medication
2. Talk Therapy
3. Education

Medications are usually used for as long as you live. But you can also utilize talk therapy. This is also known as psychotherapy. What you do is to talk with a professional all about yourself; and this includes aspects pertaining to your relationships, situation, and condition. Through this method, you can give sense to your feelings and thoughts.

When you're under talk therapy, you will get more than just advice and answers. You will learn a great deal about yourself, get information, honest feedback, and support. And most of all, since a lot of people are embarrassed about their condition; talk therapy is done in a private and safe setting.

You can choose between a group setting and a one-on-one setting. Talk therapy also varies from support and education to learning about yourself and relationships. This is a very important part of any treatment regimen. And if you want to talk and talk, why not consider adding bipolar chat in your list.

Around 2.6% of people in the entire world are affected by bipolar disorder. In US alone, over five million people suffer from this disorder and what's worse, 79% of them are not even aware of their illness. The remaining percentage is aware but not all of them are willing to undergo any medication. Most of them are ashamed of their condition and don’t want other people to find out. But this should not be the case because what these people need is the right support. In fact, there are even big celebrities who have bipolar disorder like Carrie Fisher, Van Damme, Sting, Ben Stiller, Linda Hamilton, and Axl Rose.

Having bipolar disorder does not mean that you’re a bad person. Although you have episodes from time to time, with the proper medication and support, you can effectively stabilize your mood swings.

The Internet is a great way to chat with other people having bipolar disorder. Bipolar has entered the digital scene, and is a fertile setting for bipolar patient support. Bipolar communities abound the web and chat rooms are great avenues to discuss the illness online. You can share your experiences and your condition with other bipolar patients.

Group therapy is rightly simulated in bipolar chat rooms. If you have an Internet connection at home, this is a great alternative for you. Periods of depression can happen any time of the day or night. If you happen to have an episode in the wee hours of the morning, you can turn to the Internet for possible chat rooms that will accommodate you with open arms. If you want a support system any time, bipolar chat is the best alternative for you.

Having a bipolar disorder entails careful management of the illness and it can even be compared to having a heart disease or diabetes. Bipolar chat rooms are valuable support for bipolar patients. You can live with this disorder without really thinking that you have the illness. You can get your life back and free yourself from worries that bipolar patients usually have.

Bipolar Affective Disorder Triggers and Medications

2009-05-25T17:27:00.000-07:00

Manic depression or now called bipolar affective disorder, have millions of people suffering from this mood disorder. Mood swings are but natural, but this mood disorder is way beyond the normal experiences of people. The disorder is characterized by extreme low depression and highs of an elated mood or mania. The frequency usually varies from one individual to another.

The cause of bipolar affective disorder is not yet established although experts claim that it has something to do with genetics and hormonal levels. There are also cases when other acquired illnesses of an individual cause bipolar disorder.

Everyday, a person experiences different emotions and events, and oftentimes these things trigger the mood swings. Coping up with happy events and unpleasant ones can put you in greater threat for depressive and manic episodes.

The triggers cause your mood swings. These are also called stressors, and it includes the following:

- not sleeping regularly
- drugs or alcohol misuse
- medication stoppage
- starting depression medicines or herbal products
- having medical conditions like thyroid problems
- seasonal changes
- illnesses
- holidays
- disagreements between family/friends
- work problems
- death of family member, friend, or loved one
- marital problems
- starting college or a new line of work

If you're diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, you should be able to identify the triggers. You can do this by having your very own mood chart. You have to record all your emotions and the corresponding events that took place. After a while, you may now notice certain patterns.

Making your own mood chart is a tough job. It would be best to have a helpful talk with your family and trusted friends. You must also try to consult your therapist or healthcare provider. They may be able to help you more since they are not part of your life. You can better see things through their professional help.

After figuring out all the possible mood swing triggers, you have to learn to evade them. This involves action and would require you to avoid some of your bad habits. Your friends and family members should also be made aware of the triggers so that they can assist you in your struggle.

Bipolar affective disorder is not easily detected. In fact, many people may go for many years without being diagnosed. Unlike other illnesses and disorders, bipolar does not entail any laboratory test. The medical provider will simply use the MDQ. This is a questionnaire utilized for bipolar disorder; and the person conducting such questionnaire fills up the checklist based on the symptoms exhibited by the person. However, the checklist can only be used and given the right diagnosis by a medical provider.

There are several medications that can be used for treating bipolar affective disorder, including the following:

1. Mood Stabilizers – this medicine can relieve or delay depression and mania episodes.
2. Antidepressants – people having a depressive episode can use a mood stabilizer together with an antidepressant. If this medicine is used alone, the chance of switching into a mania episode is increased.
3. Antipsychotic – persons having mania episodes can use this medication; severe mania or depressive episodes can lead to psychosis, and this can be treated with antipsychotic. You can use the medication alone or your provider can also use it together with other medications especially if the patient feels nervous or is unable to sleep.
4. Electroconvulsive therapy or ECT – this is not actually a medication but rather a treatment to help people suffering from severe depression or mania episodes. Those individuals who don’t respond to medications can also undergo this therapy.

The ECT is a therapy and it aims to control acute depressive and manic symptoms. It can effectively reduce mood instability and cycling and at the same time minimizing bipolar symptoms and treatment side effects. Through a management plan, the bipolar patient can return to his normal life.

Although the medications are not guaranteed to remove such condition, your mood swings can be stabilized. You can effectively control symptoms and easily cope with certain problems.

Not only is the individual affected but also their families. But with proper medications and treatment, bipolar affective disorder can be stabilized and controlled. Consult your medical provider now.

Describing a Bipolar Disorder: Learning Its Episodes and Symptoms

2009-05-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Emotions have its ups and downs. It is normal for everyone to feel. But for a person affected by a bipolar disorder, these highs and lows can become very extreme and hinder daily activities. There are times that the situation also became dangerous. A person cannot work because of feeling so depressed. Then the next day, this person feels great, filled with creativity and endless energy. However, some people can misinterpret such actions as being reckless and uncontrollable.

A bipolar disorder can be unpredictable and confusing. This medical condition is also chronic. Never feel embarrassed if you are affected with this type of disorder. Learning all about it is helpful to manage such medical illness successfully.

A bipolar disorder affects the ability of a person to feel various moods in a normal range. Manic depression is another term for bipolar disorder. Bipolar is used to describe two extremes or poles. People affected by this serious medical condition have mood alterations ranging from an extremely low (depression) to an extremely high (mania).

The best picture to describe such condition is the globe. The globe is divided into the North and South Pole. The mania would be the North Pole and the depression would be the South Pole. If a person experiences the symptoms of either pole for a definite duration of time, then he or she is experiencing an episode. These episodes must be thoroughly discussed with a healthcare provider.

There are four kinds of episodes associated with bipolar disorder according to APA (American Psychiatric Association).

1. Depression. Sometimes, a person can feel extremely sad for a prolong period of time. It is very impossible for him or her to eat or leave his or her bed. The things which he or she enjoys to do seem very difficult.

2. Mania. This is the other pole of a bipolar disorder. It may begin with a high or good feeling. But after sometimes a person can feel very angry and irritable. Doing risky things is not impossible.

3. Hypomania. Compared to mania, this type of episode is only mild. A person might feel very good thinking that more things are getting done. But after a while, his or her mood changes to a full-blown depression or mania.

4. Mixed mood or mixed episode. The feelings of depression and mania can affect a person many times during the day.

These episodes can put a person at risk for committing suicide. Experiencing mania or depression for more than four episodes within a year is known as rapid-cycling. There are different symptoms for both poles of a bipolar disorder.

The mania symptoms include increased levels of energy, reduce needs for sleep, easily distracted, mind jumps, racing thoughts, more talkative, more confident, focus on doing things but accomplishes only little, and more risky even if it means things are going to be bad.

The depression symptoms include feeling blue or sad, feeling down, losing interests on the things which a person is enjoying including sex, feeling guilty, feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, sleep too much or too little, changes in appetite or weight, feeling tired, feeling too little energy, feeling restless, concentration problems, decision-making problems, and thoughts of suicide or death.

Moreover, it is also vital to learn how mood swings are triggered. Emotions and events that happened in a life of a person can be the triggering factors. Sad, unpleasant, or happy events can make a person experiences either depressive or manic episodes. Triggers or stressors include irregular schedule of sleep, misuse of drugs or alcohol, stopping medication, starting medications for depression or other herbal products, and having problems related to thyroid and other health condition.

Nevertheless, different people may experience different triggers. Some people also consider seasonal changes, illness, holidays, work problems, friends or family's disagreements, marriage, starting a recent job, starting college, love one's death as triggers. Figuring out what triggers a person can help. Keeping a mood chart to record varying emotions can determine mood swing patterns. This can be a tough task but provides many treatment possibilities.

A bipolar disorder is not more of a problem today. There are lots of treatments available. It is very important to talk to a healthcare provider to create a plan that will work best in stabilizing mood swings.

Alternative Bipolar Medications

2009-05-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

Bipolar is considered as a major disorder that can greatly affect an individual and his family. There are many definitions of this illness. One definition states that a person with bipolar disorder experiences extreme elations that alternates with deep depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic depression. Generally, it is characterized by depressive episodes and accompanied by a manic episode.

To put it simply, bipolar disorder affects feelings, thoughts, behavior, and perceptions. Experts say that it is brought about by the chemical and electrical elements found in the brain that are not functioning properly. Some say that it runs in the family, so families having a history of bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses are more prone to having the disorder.

There are certain medications given for bipolar patients, and not all of them are quite comfortable in taking daily doses of different medications. Most of them are interested to secure supplemental or alternative therapies rather than taking prescription medications.

Omega 3

There are many researches showing that omega 3 found in fish oils and in certain fishes are excellent for bipolar patients, as well as those having mental illnesses. There was a significant research done in 30 bipolar patients for four months. It was a placebo-controlled and double-blind study. It aims to compare omega 3's efficacy versus olive oil or placebo for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

According to researchers, bipolar disorder is a neuropsychiatic illness that has a high mortality and morbidity. In their preliminary study, it was proven that omega 3 performed better and resulted to longer remissions based on the four scales of symptom-severity. Further studies are still underway, and researchers are hoping that they can come up with new classes of psychotropic compounds that can be used as mood stabilizers.

Herbal

Most people resolve to the use of herbal supplements instead of taking prescribed drug medications. But not all herbs are good for the treatment of bipolar disorder. In fact, there are certain herbs that can worsen the condition of a bipolar patient. Some herbal supplements actually have a harmful reaction when used together with certain drugs. Consult your doctor first before taking any herbal medication in conjunction with other drugs.

Nutrition and Your Diet

You have to adjust your diet, and this means checking your meal menus everyday. The nutrients which the body receives are very important. Holistic physicians use b-complex, magnesium, and thiamin for episodes of depression.

Pastoral Counseling

If you're suffering from bipolar disorder, you can also talk to your pastor, priest, or rabbi instead of talking to therapists. The religious community may be of great help during these times. In fact, the community is now recognizing the role of spirituality and prayers. In can even be included in psychotherapies and medication.

Art Therapies

If you're always staying at home, then perhaps you might want to join expressive therapies. Through the arts, you can express freely your feelings and do so without inhibitions. You can enroll in a drawing class, sculpting, painting, and many others. Find an appropriate therapist in your locality who specializes in art therapies or expressive therapies.

If you want movement, enroll in a dance therapy. Let your feet fly and your spirit soar while incorporating your physical, cognitive, and emotional facets to the dance.

Soothing music can make a person relax. So why not enroll in sound or music therapy? Your body chemicals can be stimulated to improve blood pressure and flow, breathing, pulse rate, and changes in posture.

Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicines or the culturally based ones like shiatsu, reiki, acupuncture, yoga, Ayurveda, talking circles, and sweat lodge are only typical examples. All these healing arts are based on balancing the states of the physical, spiritual, and emotional for the wellness of an individual. If the forces in your body are imbalanced, you will likely get an illness.

If all these things are combined: omega 3, herbal, right diet, pastoral counseling, art therapies, and traditional healing arts, perhaps the forces of the body can be balanced and a bipolar patient can be treated effectively. But remember to consult your doctor for any problems that you may encounter, and don’t just stop your prescribed medication if you have one. Continue using it, and ask your doctor if you can also use other alternative medication.

Living Your Life in Advantage Even with Bipolar

2009-05-23T17:25:00.001-07:00

Are you suffering from manic-depressive disorder? This is an illness that not all people can easily overcome. Oftentimes, people who don’t seek professional help end up committing suicide. If you don’t want this to happen to you or any of your family members, then you must learn about the illness and the possible things to undertake in order to take control of the situation and live life normally.

The illness is better known as bipolar disorder. People suffering from this disease can compare their lives to a roller coaster ride. They experience tremendous highs and extreme lows. Presently, there is no known cure for this disease, but it doesn’t mean that it can't be controlled. There are many treatments available to address intense mood swings. If you can find the right treatment, you can actually start to live your life normally even if you have bipolar.

If you constantly experience inability to do things well as if your mind has burned out and slowed down until such point that you feel virtually useless and hopeless, your humor ceases, you become irritable, uncontrollable, angry, and frightened; then you're probably suffering from bipolar disorder. Others experience a tremendous surge of ideas, their shyness disappears, they become intensely interested in sensuality/seduction, and they feel a strong sense of power, ease, omnipotence, and euphoria. Though many people disregard such occurrences and say that it will soon be over, it doesn’t hurt to seek proper medical attention. Addressing illnesses such as bipolar should start at an early stage to prevent unwanted things to happen.

If one of your family member, or yourself, is diagnosed with bipolar, there's no reason to despair. There are many resources that you can use to help you in your situation.

? Purchase a book entitled Bipolar Advantage

This is a book written by Tom Wootton; it recognizes all aspects of bipolar disorder. Bipolar is not interpreted as an advantage, but after a two years' seminar on Bipolar, he came up with this book that positively approaches the condition. The book is all about accepting oneself and striving to be a better individual. It teaches you about Introspection, how to change certain habits to accentuate all positive aspects, and how to minimize negative ones.

How can you do this? You can actually turn bipolar into an advantage by creating and accomplishing a vision of what you really want. After that, you need to come up with a plan that you should follow in order to achieve your goal. Wootton personally experienced both good and bad sides of bipolar because he was misdiagnosed, and for many years he learned how to cope with such situation. He conducts seminars for bipolar patients; thereby gaining personal stories from actual sufferers. He then put all these things together and came up with a book which provides a positive approach to bipolar, the right tools, and skills to improve life for the patient and his/her family.

? Utilize various bipolar websites

There is this popular website called the Bipolar Advantage that deals with all the good and bad things about bipolar. You can log on to their site and access all the needed information in order to understand your situation and how you can cope with it.

You can also check other sites that provide useful information about bipolar. There are many search engines that you can try; all it takes is a bit of research and time.

? In Audio

You can make use of today's new technology. If you have a computer at home and an Internet connection, you can access Bipolar Advantage through audio. If you have a flash player, then you can readily have access to different sites.

Most of the time, it depends on the bipolar patient whether he can control his condition or not. If he doesn’t make a move now, his situation will only become worse. But if the individual tries to utilize different resources, and seek proper medical attention, then he is on his way to controlling his condition. With the support of family and friends, a bipolar patient can effectively overcome his condition and live a happy and normal life like any other individual. Know the different resources that can help you in your struggle and live life to the fullest.

Grab the 2nd Edition of Milkowitz' Bipolar Disorder Guide for Patient and Family Members

2009-05-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

Books are generally widely available in many different places. A lot of people spend countless hours in bookstores trying to find good quality reading materials that can help in enriching their minds with fresh and new ideas or knowledge that they may find useful in their everyday lives.

Finding a good book is not that hard, especially if you know what you're looking for. And besides, if you're a book-lover you already have a wide range of choices when it comes to authors.

Everyday, a huge number of people are diagnosed with different diseases or illnesses. Perhaps, you're one of them, or maybe a family member is afflicted. It's hard to tell when a person will get an illness, or when he's already suffering from it. And this is true with bipolar. If you have no idea what bipolar is, then you'd better purchase the book written by David J. Miklowitz.

The second edition of the book entitled ' The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know' is a very good addition to your book collection. Not only that, it can be of great help to you and your family.

Before, people diagnosed with bipolar don't have much choices to help them in their daily struggle. But at present, because of sharper diagnosis, better medicine, and a lot of support groups, there is a bright future waiting for bipolar patients.

The author of the book mentioned is a Psychology Professor in Colorado University since 1989. He conducted a valuable research funded by MacArthur Foundation and the NIMH which was recognized and awarded by various organizations. His book's second edition is a great resource for bipolar patients because it provides information on:

- early signs and warnings on mood swings caused by normal day to day experiences
- medications available for bipolar patients and their possible side effects
- things to do when you're descending into mania or depression
- how to get support and help from friends and family members
- how to inform co-workers about the illness without losing your career

The abovementioned information is clearly discussed on the book. David Miklowitz wrote the book's second edition intended for the use of the patient. It is a comprehensive guide that tackles different information and other related questions that the patient may have in mind. It will help them to take charge and reclaim their life from bipolar. Since Miklowitz is a specialist and a researcher, he is considered an expert in his own field; and therefore, he is able to provide proven tools that can help bipolar patients to balance their life emotionally and financially.

Don't lose your life to bipolar, make a move now and purchase the book by Miklowitz. It has garnered high ratings in many editorial reviews. The book deals with exclusive patient issues like overcoming the diagnosis, the right person(s) to confide, and recognizing your mood swings. The book is not only useful for patients, but for their therapists and family members as well. Many editors claim that the book is humane and impressive. It promotes stability, explores multidimensional management techniques, thorough, well-written, and full of great advice to re-organize the patient's life. People having the illness, as well as non-sufferers can find the book very useful.

The book is also a great addition to large libraries because it is rich in materials to demystify bipolar. It explains methodically the disease, symptoms, diagnosis, and cogently explains possible causes; and at the same time offers advice to manage it. There are also logs and worksheets provided to help patients better understand bipolar. All in all, the book is interesting, informative, and compassionate.

Your life is full of ups and downs. It is a natural occurrence that all people must be able to cope with; but not all people are strong enough to face the hardships of life. And so a great number of them end up with certain illnesses like bipolar. Don't despair because it's not the end for you of your family; there are many resources to turn to like this book. Open your mind to the many resources that can help you in your suffering. Purchase the book now and see the difference.

A Bipolar Overview: Discovering Bipolar

2009-04-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

Many illnesses abound the world today. Before, people live longer and with only a handful of illnesses. But today's times are very much different because of the many changes that take place. New technology has brought new things into this world. Many inventions, new foods, and all the new stuff that people now enjoy seem to contribute to the many illnesses suffered by millions of people; not to mention the different day to day experiences that people encounter as they go through life.

The typical life of an individual begins as he wakes up in the morning. He then goes through his life everyday doing his routine activities. He goes to work, meet deadlines, attend meetings, and deals with different kinds of people. At home, he has to do chores, and spend time with the family. He also does other activities like going to the supermarket, church, and other important places. And not only that, he encounters different situations everyday that either he welcomes or resents. Many factors contribute to making an individual ill.

Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder have to deal with such condition all the days of their life. Talking about such disorder can be very embarrassing for some people but this should not be so since the illness can be managed especially if you know how to do it.

Before, the condition was popularly called manic depression. But now, it is called bipolar because of the two extreme poles that make up the condition. A good example is the globe having a north and a south pole. When an individual experiences different symptoms associated with one pole, then he's having an episode.

Episode

The episodes are divided into four types: depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed mood. When a person feels depressed, he or she feels sad and don’t want to do the usual things. Those that exhibit mania usually start having a high feeling, and become angry and irritable. They are the ones who tend to do risky things. The milder form is known as hypomania which can lead to either depression or mania; this episode also starts with feeling good and the person may think that more things are done. Others who have episodes with feelings of depression and mania mixed together is called mixed mood.

Symptoms

Symptoms are divided into depression and mania. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt. These individuals sleep too much or too little and experience changes in appetite or weight. They always feel tired, restless, and can't make a sound decision. The worst case is when the person thinks about suicide and death. Mania symptoms include an increase in the level of energy, racing thoughts, sleeps less, easily distracted, more self-confident, more talkative, focused but accomplishes little, and often do extreme or unusual activities.

Types

The four main types of bipolar are the following:

1. Bipolar I – this type involves manic and mixed episodes, as well as major episodes of depression. The bipolar patient may experience more than one episode for several days, weeks, or even months. Seasonal changes also seem to affect the symptoms exhibited by the person.

2. Bipolar II – this involves major episodes of depression and a hypomania episode. Normal functioning can also take place in between the said episodes.

3. Cyclothymic Disorder – this is a fluctuating disturbance in mood with hypomania and depression episodes. This is considered the milder form since episodes do not occur regularly and happens for shorter and less severe times.

4. Not Specified – this is a treatable disorder and the symptoms exhibited by the individual does not fall into any of the three types mentioned; the disorder varies from one person to another.

There is no known cause of bipolar disorder. Some say that it has something to do with genetics. But that alone is not enough to cause such disorder. Perhaps other factors contribute to the disorder and that is why further studies are underway.

People from different races, ethnic groups, children, teenagers, or young/older adults can suffer from bipolar disorder. The brain cells of each individual don't work normally if there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters. These are special chemicals that seem to be involved in the disorder.

If you think you're experiencing bipolar symptoms, then you’d better check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Bipolar Disorder: What You Should Know About This Illness

2009-04-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

It is important for people to function daily in the society in order to work, and whatever their daily activities are. In order to function properly, your health should also be in good condition especially your brain. You have to consider that your brain is what controls most part of your body and as well as your decision and other psychological factors. Emotions and your mood is also controlled by a certain part of the brain.

However, what if you have or someone you know has brain disorder? With a brain disorder, you have to consider that it can definitely affect your daily task. Even controlling your emotions and your mood can be difficult. One kind of disorder of the brain is called bipolar disorder. This kind of disorder can affect ones ability to function properly in their daily lives. It can affect several aspects, such as the emotion, mood, and also your body's energy.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depressive illness. This particular illness causes unusual shifts in the person's brain. Normally, people experience ups and downs in life. However, with a bipolar disorder, the person affected will experience severe mood change. As you can see, bipolar disorder can affect everything about a person's lives. With this disorder, it can result in relationship problems, poor job and school performance, and in some cases, it can even lead to suicide.

However, if you know someone affected with this kind of disorder, it doesnít mean that you should lose hope in getting their lives back on track. Bipolar disorder can be treated. It is a known fact that people who went through treatment for bipolar disorder have been able to get their lives back on track and lead a normal and productive life.

Bipolar disorder usually develops during the late adolescent years or early adulthood. However, there are some people who show early symptoms of bipolar disorder during childhood. There are also some people who develop this disorder later in life. Bipolar disorder is commonly not recognized as an illness, and it is a fact that people may suffer from bipolar disorder until it becomes severe and diagnosed properly. You have to consider that bipolar disorder is a long term illness which also requires long term treatment. This particular brain disorder should be carefully managed throughout their life.

There are some signs and symptoms that you may notice associated with bipolar disorder. It will include dramatic mood swings from being excessively happy to being irritable to being hopeless or sad. This happens in intervals and mood changes are quite noticeable. Here are some specific signs and symptoms that a person with bipolar disorder shows:

Excessively happy or euphoric mood
Increased energy, and restlessness
Quickly distracted
Racing thoughts, talks unusually fast, and jumps from one idea to another
Little sleep needed
Spending sprees
Poor judgment
Unrealistic beliefs in their abilities
Increased sexual drive
Drug abuse, such as cocaine, sleeping medications, and alcohol abuse
Aggressive behavior

Denial that anything is wrong

In severe cases, a person who has bipolar disorder thinks and attempts suicide. People who have this brain disorder feel that they are useless and it's better to end their lives.

As you can see, bipolar disorder is a very serious illness that you should be aware of. It is important that if you see any irregularities in a person's behavior, they should get treated immediately and not wait for it to become any worse.

It is important if the person is feeling suicidal you should immediately call a doctor and seek emergency assistance immediately. It is also important that the person should not be allowed, and make sure that they donít have any access to large amount of medication where they can overdose on it, weapons such as knife and gun, and other items that they can use to inflict harm to themselves.

Bipolar can be treated with medication and psychiatric therapy. With patience, the person with this disorder can lead a normal and productive life.

You have to consider that this particular disorder has no cure and requires a lifetime of medication and psychotherapy. So, if you suspect that a member of your family or one of your friends has this disorder, you can help them by taking them to a psychiatrist where they can be treated.