| Bipolar depression, manic depression and bipolar | | | | applicable to all. If we consider that at one end of the |
| affective disorder are all terms used to describe a | | | | scale there is severe depression and at the other end |
| highly complex and serious mood disorder that is | | | | of the scale there is full blown mania, in between there |
| characterised by extreme manic episodes (highs) and | | | | are progressive stages of moderate to mild |
| severe depressive episodes (lows). It usually begins in | | | | depression, then normal moods, following on up the |
| young adulthood, although not always, and continues | | | | scale to hypomania and then mania. |
| for life. | | | | Some people will have many depressive episodes and |
| According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists leaflet | | | | the odd spell of hypomania; others can experience |
| on depression, one in ten people suffer from Bipolar | | | | mania much more often with a depressive episode |
| disorder. No one really knows what causes it, but | | | | only happening from time to time. Others may have |
| genetics is thought to play a major role as it has a | | | | both together, which is known as mixed state bipolar. |
| tendency to run in families. | | | | Other types of Bipolar include Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Rapid |
| Symptoms of a depressive episode | | | | Cycling and Cyclothymia. |
| A depressive episode can be diagnosed if five or | | | | The symptoms of Bipolar 1 involve recurrent manic |
| more of the following symptoms are present for most | | | | and depressive episodes with either stable periods in |
| of the time for a period of at least 2 weeks. | | | | between or going directly from a depressive episode |
| - feeling sad, anxious, or empty mood | | | | into a manic phase or vice versa. Periods of |
| - Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism | | | | depression can last for only a short time or for months. |
| - Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness | | | | Bipolar 11 usually involves mild manic periods, or even |
| - Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including | | | | no mania, but more depressive episodes. When an |
| sex | | | | individual experiences many manic or depressive |
| - Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being | | | | episodes or fluctuations between both within a |
| "slowed down" | | | | relatively short space of time it is known as rapid |
| - Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making | | | | cycling, and Cyclothymia is where the mood swings |
| decisions | | | | are not as severe as other types but the episodes |
| - Restlessness or irritability | | | | can last for much longer. |
| - Sleeping too much, or can't sleep | | | | Each person's experience is unique and because it |
| - Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or | | | | happens in episodes, there are periods where the |
| gain | | | | individual behaves perfectly normal which can make |
| - Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that | | | | diagnosis problematic. Some people can have bipolar |
| are not caused by physical illness or injury | | | | disorder for years before they seek help and others |
| - Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts | | | | may not seek help at all. Without treatment, bipolar |
| Symptoms of a manic episode | | | | disorder can have a devastating effect on relationships |
| A manic episode can be diagnosed if at least 3 of the | | | | and work; can result in huge debts being run up, crimes |
| symptoms occur along with an elevated mood for | | | | committed, alcohol and substance abuse and even |
| most of the time for at least a week, which is not | | | | suicide. |
| related to alcohol or substance abuse or a medical | | | | Living with Bipolar |
| condition. If the overall mood is one of irritability then | | | | Medication will usually be prescribed to deal with the |
| another 4 symptoms must be present. | | | | different aspects of the disorder. For example, Lithium |
| - Increased energy, activity, and restlessness | | | | is often used to stabilise the mood, as it can effectively |
| - Excessively "high," euphoric mood | | | | control and help prevent both manic and depressive |
| - Extreme irritability | | | | episodes. |
| - Racing thoughts, talking quickly, jumping from one idea | | | | Other drugs may be prescribed in conjunction with |
| to another | | | | Lithium to treat symptoms such as insomnia and those |
| - Distractibility, lack off concentration | | | | of depression. During manic episodes it might be |
| - Little sleep needed | | | | necessary to use antipsychotic medication such as |
| - Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers | | | | haloperidol or chlorpromazine. In particularly severe |
| - Poor judgment | | | | episodes, the sufferer may be admitted to hospital for |
| - Spending sprees | | | | treatment. Various forms of psychotherapy may also |
| - A lasting period of behaviour that is different from | | | | be offered in addition to medication. |
| usual | | | | Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disorder that affects not |
| - Increased sexual drive | | | | only the sufferer but their family and friends too so |
| - Alcohol and drug abuse | | | | learning about the different mood states, the |
| - Provocative or aggressive behaviour | | | | symptoms that accompany them and the type of |
| - Denial that anything is wrong | | | | event or situation that might trigger an episode can be |
| Types of Bipolar disorder | | | | invaluable in helping to prevent future relapses. It allows |
| The frequency and severity of each episode and the | | | | the individual to take preventative measures, and to |
| gaps in between them will vary significantly from | | | | recognise the signs of any impending episode so they |
| person to person with no clear pattern that is | | | | can seek appropriate help. |