More on Bipolar Disorderby Beth McHugh | More from this Blogger 08 Feb 2006 05:14 PM
Mania is characterized by a variety of symptoms including inappropriate elation, impulsiveness, extreme hyperactivity, and excessively rapid thought and speech. By contrast, hypomania is essentially a scaled-down version of the above behaviors. The person is noticeably "up", but can function well while in this mood state. Unipolar disorder involves recurrent episodes of mania without the appearance of the depressive phase observed in classic bipolar disorder. And cyclothymic disorder is diagnosed when hypomanic symptoms alternate with depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for major depressive episode, i.e. the depression experienced is less intense, but the essential cyclic nature of mood swings from high to low still remains. The average age of onset for bipolar I is about 18, and for bipolar II about 22 years of age, although there are recorded instances of bipolar symptoms appearing in childhood. The onset of bipolar is often preceded by minor mood swings which will then often acutely change to a full-blown manic phase if bipolar I is apparent. Alternatively, if marked, long-term, lower-grade mood swings are present bipolar II will likely be diagnosed. During mania and hypomania, sufferers typically deny there is a problem, and persuading them to seek professional help or take medication can be extremely difficult. It is not uncommon for sufferers to stop taking their medication during periods of stress or unhappiness in an attempt to bring on a manic episode which, for them, is far more pleasurable than depression. The characteristic behaviors of the manic patient-the overspending, the rampant promiscuity, the grandiose schemes which consume every waking moment-none are seen as abnormal or out of character to them while in the throes of an episode. Lithium is the drug of choice for controlling the excessive mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. Despite its use for many decades, researchers have yet to discover just why it has beneficial effects, although it is believed to be associated with dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. More recently, anticonvulsive medications such epilim have been used to help modify the characteristic mood swings from high to low. By far the greatest problem with a drug regimen is compliance, as sufferers will abandon medication in order to achieve the elated high that, for them, is so preferable to the depressive phase of the illness. Unfortunately, the chronic and unpredictable nature of these mood disorders can make for a disruptive home life and career. The person with bipolar I needs particular assistance from family and friends to cope with the disorder, and family therapy is advisable so that the sufferer and his or her family can learn to understand the condition, and set reasonable boundaries regarding what behavior will and won't be tolerated, including going off medication. This therapy must, of course, be conducted when the patient is in a receptive and calm state. Provisions for respite for the family must also be considered. With the less disruptive conditions such as bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorders, less intervention is needed. Major mental disorders such as bipolar require great personal strength on the part of the sufferer to endure the chronic and despairing nature of the illness, as well as unconditional love, acceptance, and compassion on the part of the family. Further education about mental illness in general is essential so that both sufferers and their families can obtain assistance from the wider community. Improving community understanding and support would go a long way to reducing the stress levels of both sufferer and carer, and ironically reduce the number of acute episodes suffered during the course of the illness. In further articles, we will be looking at how to help loved ones who suffer from a mental illness. Contact Beth McHugh for further information or assistance regarding this issue. Learn more about Beth McHugh  Beth McHugh began her career as a geologist and worked both in industry and as a university researcher. Relevantmental health tags relationships | Scrapbooking | children | parenting | pregnancy | Kids | family | marriage | sex | christmas User Comments inspired_creations (130) 09 Feb 2006 12:04 AMI remember once reading a book (although now I wished I never had) where the author was a psychiatrist who didn't believe in mental illness whatsoever. He believed that every behaviour that humans display is done so by choice...what a load of rot that is!! I would never "choose" for even my worst enemy to have bipolar disorder, let alone myself!! ganji (35) 07 Jul 2007 09:41 PMbipolar disorder is nolonger a serious problem 80% of people lead near normal life with mood stabilizers. family understanding is good. cost of treatment is nolonger big  Beth McHugh (13186) 07 Jul 2007 10:41 PMBipolar Disorder, particularly bipolar I , is a serious illness, with life stresses, lack of compliance (taking medication as advised) and the often unpredictable nature of the condition making it quite a challenging disorder for both the sufferer and their family to deal with. Many family problems occur as a direct result of bipolar and the fact that a genetic component to the condition only adds to the severity of it.  strezz13 (10) 07 Sep 2007 09:12 PMWOW!!!!!!!!!! In response to "Ganji".........since when did biploar disorder become not a serious problem? I wonder if this individual lives with it day in and day out, tossing to and fro. I'm shocked to think someone believes this. Beth McHugh (13186) 07 Sep 2007 09:23 PMI would agree that "ganji" does not have a strong grasp of bipolar disorder. CyclothymicChic (10) 13 Dec 2008 04:01 AMMy father is Bi Polar (bp 1) and i was diagnosed with magor depressive disorder at 13. I've since been on varying doses of zoloft ever since, something i HAD TO HAVE just to merely function as a normal individual. The depressions evened out somewhat as i got older, and my diagnoses has been revised recently to Cyclothymic Personality Disorder. While I am fortunate enough to feel I'm able to walk the tightrope between my disorder and normalcy, it can still be very difficult at times. I still get the ups and downs despite my medication, though only to a lesser degree. It helps if you scrutinise your feelings and pay A LOT of attention to yourself- then its easier to deal with the depressions. Myself, I know i do more detailed work on my silversmithing, and writing when depressed. Also, i KNOW it WILL PASS. The worst depressions, no matter how long they last, I always know that eventually it will pass, and I'll move into my high functioning, perfectly capable stage. I dont go manic (sadly, lol) but when i am 'up' things dont upset me so much, I'm generally happy, and i can do a lot of work quickly. my projects get done, and the first sign that I'm going up? I spring clean the house! Still, even with personally being able to slot my problems into the "just the disorder" folder and shelve it, its difficult when I open my eyes in the morning, and wish i hadnt woken up. When my heart feels so heavy that its goign to fall out of my rib cage, and all i'm doing is getting dressed for the day, and nothing has gone wrong, its hard to shelve it. I have a job that I'm able to keep- but its only part time. I cannot deal with full time. I end off having anxiety attacks, and goign into magor depression. Im fortunate- my employer frequently offers me extra hours, and stints of full time (which i take, and can deal with in short bursts) but he doesnt need me full time. Since going on contraceptives, my medication isnt so effective. I am having a mental health review, but untill then, i just have to ride my own personal roller coaster. I heard someone say once, "for bi polar people, normal is a place you visit sometimes but never get to stay long." and its so true. I'm a lucky one!! I get to visit normal for quite long periods of time! Most of the time, I can serve as the translator between 'normal' people, and those with a disorder, because i understand both. Still, with all of this, its still hard to deal with. Its as good as I am ever going to get. I will never be normal. The psychologist at the mental health unit has told me there is nothing more they can do for me- I already have all the 'methods' in use. I fear having children, because i fear being too unstable to provide them the stability they need. To add to it- my husband has aspergers disorder!! Fortunately, like me, he doesnt have the worst version of it, just a touch. He was able to complete university on a full time basis, and is currently job hunting, nonetheless, his disorder shows when learning how to interact in a culture he's unfamiliar with. Taking advice from a wife is different to from a teacher, and me with my mood swings... sometimes I just need him to understand without my having to put it into words. I cope by shelving it- but for him i need to bring the book out and show him the full colour illustrations. AND STILL! I'm a lucky one, because he adores me, and he works so hard to both defeat his disorder (which will never be gone) and learn how to live. Our life, and relationship is hard, but compared to those with these full blown disorders, our existence is a walk in the park. No one knows what its like to be depressed, TRULY depressed, untill hey have been there. To look in the mirror and utterly -despise- what you see... to despise yourself, and not tell anyone, because its -not- about attention. This is what people dont understand... I forget why i began such an indepth chatter xD but i suppose i mean to say, I wish people could understand more.. I wish others could see people with disorders through my eyes, or those like me- I get to see from both sides of the looking glass so to speak. Here's to more articles that help to explain to 'normal' people how it is for those of us who just WISH we were normal... CyclothymicChic (10) 13 Dec 2008 04:01 AMspeaking of constant talking being a bi-polar thing.... xD sorry Community Tags bipolar disorder, bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, hypomania Discuss this article
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Bipolar Disorder is a major mood disorder in which both manic and depressive episodes alternate over time. The sufferer may exhibit elated, manic-type behavior for up to several months at a time, and then descend into a major depressive episode.
In recent years, bipolar disorder has been classified into additional subcategories: bipolar I, bipolar II, unipolar disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I represents the classic bipolar category type with periods of true mania alternating with periods of major depression. Bipolar II is similar to Bipolar I, where major depressive episodes alternate with hypomanic episodes rather than full-blown mania. 
