Bipolar Help

According to the definition outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), Bipolar I Disorder, considered the most severe form of this mental illness, is "characterized by one or more Manic or Mixed Episodes, usually accompanied by Major Depressive Episodes."

In a major manic episode of Bipolar I Disorder the patient may become delusional and even suffer from hallucinations, which are symptoms of psychosis. If this occurs, the condition is called bipolar I with psychotic features. Only bipolar I disorder, by definition, can include such psychotic features. Bipolar I can seriously impair day-to-day functioning.

Other symptoms and characteristics of mania include:

* Grandiosity
* Decreased need for sleep
* Pressured speech
* Racing thoughts
* Distractibility
* Tendency to engage in behavior that could have serious consequences, such as spending recklessly or inappropriate sexual encounters
* Excess energy

Symptoms and characteristics of major depression in Bipolar I Disorder include:

* Decreased energy
* Severe withdrawal from normal activities
* Weight loss or gain
* Despair
* Irritability
* Uncontrollable crying
* Thoughts of or attempts at suicide

According to the definition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), bipolar II disorder (also known as bipolar 2 disorder or bipolar type 2) is "characterized by one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode." The key difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 is that bipolar 2 has hypomanic but not manic episodes, meaning the symptoms of mania are generally less severe in type 2. Also, while those with bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, bipolar II by definition b>have psychotic features.

Some signs which would lead to a diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder are:

* One or more major depressive episodes
* At least one hypomanic episode
* There has never been a manic or mixed episode
* Another disorder is not responsible for symptoms
* Symptoms cause distress or impair functioning

Symptoms and characteristics of depression include:

* Decreased energy
* Weight loss or gain
* Despair
* Irritability
* Uncontrollable crying

Typically diagnosed in individuals in their late teens - early adulthood, Cyclothymia is sometimes referred to as the mild form of Bipolar,

"People who have more or less continuous mood fluctuations, as people with cyclothymia do, can end up with more limitations in life than people with major disorders," Goodwin said. "Because they don't know how they're going to feel from day to day, they don't have a firm footing in relationships or in their work. And they lack the ability to have confidence in what a mood means, whether it's a signal about a relationship or a
work situation or a spontaneous change."- Stacey Colino

When cyclothymia is present, moods can fluctuate from mild depression to hypomania and back again. Generally the pattern is irregular and unpredictable.The hypomanic or depressive stages can last for days or weeks. In between the ups and downs, normal moods may be present for months at a time. Cycling continuously from hypomanic to depressed, with no normal period in between is also know to ocurr.

So as you can see, this diagnosis is often at times difficult to identify.

Depression feels like?

Experiencing low mood, loss of appetite or overeating, insomnia or sleeping too much, low self-esteem, problems with concentration and, occasionally, thoughts of suicide.

A sense of hopelessness and helplessness

Depression tends to hijack our brains and only thinking about all the negatives becomes the norm.

Self care becomes difficult at best, brushing ones teeth or taking a shower may become too difficult a task.

Rapid Cycling represents a pattern of symptoms associated with bipolar disorder relating to changes in mood from the highs to lows at any given time within a year. It often masquerades as Depression alone and diagnosis can be tricky. Why? Feeling more upbeat than normal, for someone struggling iwth depression may feel like their "normal" and therefore goes unreported.

Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness. Women are more likely than men to have rapid cycling. A rapid-cycling pattern increases risk for severe depression and suicide attempts.

There is rapid cycling that can occur in the span of a day vs. a year, important to note. A psychiatrist can diagnose with proper reporting from a sufferer who has a great deal of self awareness.

Impulsive behaviors: this is often a hallmark of Mania. There are different forms of mania; hyper-manic and hypo-manic. People suffering from major depression, they may also likely experience extreme highs known as manic or hypo-manic episodes. < This is your indicator of bipolar.

Hyper-manic ( or manic ) includes all the above but to a much stronger degree. Highs include feelings of grandiosity, a decreased need for sleep, the tendency to talk too much and experiencing ideas that run too quickly through your mind.

What is hypo-manic? This is described as less intense mood swings. Elevated feelings of energy, out going/ friendliness, talking a lot more than usual, phoning many people to chat (when this is not your norm), some impulsive behaviors like shopping sprees, putting more time than usual into a project or activity. Less need for sleep.

Mixed episodes are when feelings of depression and mania exist simultaneously

Group or Talk Therapy can be an excellent form of treatment.

Medications known as "mood stabilizer" and psychotherapy tend to work best. Additional info - some new research shows that vitamins and supplements such as folic acid, DHEA and SAM-e are also effective depression fighters, as is electro-convulsive therapy and magnetic stimulation to the brain. ****************************************************************************************

The importance of knowing the difference and why treating only the depressive symptoms is not healthy: "Not only do antidepressants not improve bipolar symptoms, they may increase the incidence of mania or cause mixed mania in bipolar individuals" From: New Medications More Effective for Treating Bipolar Disorder - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News - FOXNews.com

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years, but the illness can start in early childhood or as late as the 40s and 50s.

Here is their website:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

Here is their list of mental health topics link:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml

You may want to consider joining a professionally facilitated support group, if you've been diagnosed.

A group setting allows you to learn from others what has helped them
Helps you to connect with others that share similar struggles
Receive professional support and feedback
Explore and understand the challenges that may lay ahead
Have a safe and supportive environment in which to express your self and concerns
Receive acceptance and learn new coping skills

Tuesday evening (coed) group 6:15pm Ventura
Wednesday morning (coed) group 10:00am Camarillo

In Ventura County, CA (805) 204-7315