Snarky Lady on Bipolar Disorder

My name is Jessica and online I like to go by the username Snarky Lady. Why Snarky Lady? Well, I tend to lean towards being snarky in my personal life and I am female. I thought Snarky Lady was pretty fitting.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in late 2007; not long before my 28th birthday. It was a very surreal experience to be labeled as a person with a serious mental health illness. After discontinuing medication due to lack of health insurance and the financial means to pay out of pocket, I slipped into a very severe depression that lasted many months. I finally realized that I needed to make changes and began those in mid-2008.

It is now 2009 and I'm honestly feeling much better than I ever thought possible without the use of prescribed medication. Although at some point I do hope to be back on medication to help alleviate the worst of my bipolar symptoms, I know that I have come a long way all on my own.

I hope to be a voice for others who suffer silently with bipolar disorder. I want to spread the word about what bipolar disorder is. I want to put a name and face to this illness. And while I have little hope that they will find a cure all for bipolar disorder, I do hope that people will see the person beyond the bipolar.

Sure, I fly off the handle sometimes. I still get depressed. I still spend too much money during my own manic high states. But I'm also a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a cousin and a person in my own right. I want all bipolar sufferers to feel that they too are an important person. Not because of bipolar disorder, but in spite of it.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health bipolar disorder is "a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. These changes may be subtle or dramatic and typically vary greatly over the course of a person's life as well as among individuals. Over 10 million people in America have bipolar disorder, and the illness affects men and women equally. Bipolar disorder is a chronic and generally life-long condition with recurring episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months that often begin in adolescence or early adulthood, and occasionally even in children. Most people generally require some sort of lifelong treatment. While medication is one key element in successful treatment of bipolar disorder, psychotherapy, support, and education about the illness are also essential components of the treatment process."

Bipolar I There has been at least one high, or manic episode, which lasts for longer than one week. You may have only manic episodes, although most people will also have periods of depression.
Bipolar II Where you have more than one episode of severe depression, but only mild manic episodes (called 'hypomania').
Rapid cycling You have had more than four mood swings happen over a 12 month period. This affects around one in ten people with the condition.
Cyclothymia. The mood swings are not as bad, but are often longer.

From BBC Health Bipolar Disorder

The cause of bipolar disorder, at this time, is unknown. Scientists and medical professionals tend to believe that it is a mixture of factors that contribute to the onset of bipolar disorder. Some factors may include: medications being taken for depression, lack of quality sleep, a stressful environment, negative lifestyle, genetic or biological vulnerabilities, and even hypothyroidism.

Given that so little is known about the actual cause of bipolar disorder it is very important for the bipolar person and his/her loved ones to be aware of triggers that can lead to both mania and depressive episodes. Knowing these triggers can be very helpful in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings-from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present...

A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

More from source.

There are three groups of mood stabilisers, which can take several months to work properly.

* Lithium is used to treat both manic and depressive episodes. It can be harmful if the dose is too high, so regular blood tests are needed. Side-effects include feeling thirsty, passing lots of urine and weight gain.

* Anticonvulsants - used in epilepsy.

* 'Atypical' antipsychotics - used to treat schizophrenia.

Psychological treatments can be particularly helpful in between episodes of mania or depression. They include:

* Psychoeducation - finding out more about bipolar disorder

* Mood monitoring - to help you pick up when your mood is swinging

* Mood strategies - to help you stop your mood swings going into a full-blown manic or depressive episode

* Developing general coping skills

* Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression

Self help treatments can help with episodes of bipolar, including:

* Recognising the signs that your mood is swinging out of control so you can get help early.

* Finding out as much as you can about the condition.

* Avoiding particularly stressful situations.

* Having at least one person that you can rely on and confide in. When you're well, make sure that they understand about bipolar disorder.

* Balancing your life, work, leisure-time and relationships.

* Exercising for 20 minutes or so, three times a week, should improve your mood.

* Doing things you enjoy.

Remember, stopping your medication suddenly can trigger another mood swing. You may also want to write an 'advance directive' with your doctor and family to say how you want to be treated if you become unwell again.

From source.

When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I honestly didn't understand what it was. And until I decided to start getting myself into a better frame of mind I had never taken the time to learn about the illness that was essentially destroying my life.

Coping with bipolar disorder is a very personal matter. Some people do well with therapy, others prefer medication. Still others prefer other natural methods that suit their own personal lifestyle choices. As I am not a doctor, I can't say which method will be best for you. Instead, I'd like to share my own methods of coping with bipolar disorder. Maybe you'll find something that will also help you!

Exercise -- No one likes it, but realistically everyone should exercise. For a person with bipolar disorder exercise can have real benefit -- as I have seen for myself. I use a personal trampoline and run in place for 10-20 minutes each morning while my children eat breakfast. I have extra energy to get me through the day and I feel better about myself and how I look.

Quitting the Smokes -- I've been a smoker on and off since I was 15 years old. That means I've spent a good majority of the 2nd half of my life addicted to nicotine. Very recently, I gave them up. I've used the nicotine patch to quit smoking and it's been a relatively painless process. There are many methods available for you if you are interested in quitting and regardless of whether you have bipolar disorder or not I strongly recommend you consider it. I've noticed that I've had a much better overall mood since I gave up the lung candy.

Giving up Caffeine -- I know, I know. Who wants to give up the Starbucks or any other caffeinated beverages? No one. And certainly not me. I've read articles that strongly suggest that caffeine consumption can be bad for those suffering with bipolar disorder. So, I decided I needed to kick my own Coca-Cola and Starbucks habit to the curb. Since I was already exercising before giving the caffeine up I really did not notice the sluggishness I thought would surely come from not having that jolt of energy. And you don't have to give it up completely. Definitely treat yourself once in awhile!

Hobbies & Interests -- Perhaps you enjoy wood carving, jewelry making, geocaching or even digital scrapbooking. Having a hobby that you enjoy can really help deal wtih bipolar disorder. It gives you something to focus your attention on and can help give you a concrete goal of having a project to finish. It also helps to pass the time and will perhaps introduce you to some new friends.

Online Gaming -- I use online gaming sites like Pogo.com and CandyStand for stress relief. Sure, it's mindless and not a real good use of ones personal time, but it can take your mind off the outside world for just a little while. Just don't get so caught up in your games that you forget about the rest of the world.

Join A Club or Take A Class -- Enjoy reading? How about a book club? Start one yourself maybe! Want to learn how to bake, or add some new recipes to the dinner menu? Betty Crocker offers free online classes for learning more. Check with your local parks and recreation department. They generally offer classes for the public that are less expensive and won't take up too much time in your schedule.

Blog -- Blogger, Wordpress, LiveJournal, Xanga and a host of other free online blogging sites offer not only the opportunity to express yourself with words, but a bigger online community of support. You can choose to make your writing public, private or only for invited readers. And writing can be a great way to recognize triggers for your bipolar disorder.