Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissism is a term used to describe a personality disorder in which the focus is on the self and self-admiration taken to an extreme. The word narcissism comes from Greek mythology; a handsome young man named Narcissus saw his reflection in a pool of water and fell in love with it. 

Narcissistic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called Dramatic Personality disorders.  A person with a Narcissistic personality disorder has an aberrant love of self, an abnormal sense of superiority and importance, and an obsession with power.  This attitude does not reflect true self-confidence. Instead, their attitude conceals a deep insecurity and a fragile self-esteem. A person with this personality disorder is liable to set unrealistic goals.

Most people with narcissistic personality disorder: are self-centered and boastful; seek constant attention and admiration; often consider themselves better than others; exaggerate their talents and achievements.  Narcissistic people tend to believe that they are entitled to special treatment; they are easily hurt but might not show it and take advantage of others to achieve their goals.

Some common traits of narcissistic personality disorder include: Preoccupation with fantasies that focus on unlimited success, power, intelligence, beauty, or love ; have beliefs that he or she is special and unique, and can only be understood by other special people; expect that others will automatically go along with what he or she wants.

They lack the ability to recognize or identify with the feelings, needs, and viewpoints of others; are envious of others or have the belief that others are envious of him or her and are hypersensitive to insults, criticism, or defeat, possibly reacting with rage, shame, and humiliation.  People with narcissistic personalities have arrogant behavior and/or attitude,

The cause of narcissistic personality disorder is not known.   Mental health professionals believe it results from extremes in their upbringing.  It may develop as the result of excessive spoiling, or when a child’s parents have an abnormal desire for their children to be special in order to maintain their own self-esteem.  It may develop from neglect or abuse and trauma inflicted by parents or some other authority figure in childhood life.

There is no cure for narcissistic personality disorder, but psychotherapy is used to help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive and rewarding way. Psychotherapy provides the person with insight into his or her problems and attitudes in an attempt to change behavior. Therapy helps the person develop a better self-esteem and more realistic expectations of others.

People with narcissistic personality disorder can abuse drugs and/or alcohol as a way of coping with their symptoms. The disorder can also interfere with the development of healthy relationships with others.

The prognosis for a person with narcissistic personality depends on the severity of the disorder and the person and their response to therapy.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is one of a personality disorders.  It is one of a group called Dramatic Personality Disorders.  People with these disorders have strong, unstable emotions and distorted self-images.  A person with histrionic personality disorder self-esteem depends on the approval of others and does not come from a true feeling of self-worth.  They have an overpowering desire to be noticed, and often behave dramatically and childishly inappropriately to get attention.  This disorder is more common in women than in men.

People with histrionic personality disorder often have good social skills; conversely, they use these skills to manipulate others to become the center of attention.  A person with this disorder might also: be uneasy not being the center of attention; dress provocatively and/or exhibit seductive or flirtatious behavior.  Their emotions alter rapidly.

 They act very dramatically as though performing before an audience with exaggerated emotions and expressions, yet to lack sincerity. They are frequently overly concerned with physical appearance.

A person with a histrionic personality seems to constantly seek reassurance or approval; they can be gullible and easily influenced by others.  They are often excessively sensitive to criticism or disapproval; they have a low tolerance for frustration and are easily bored by routine, often beginning projects without finishing them or skipping from one event to another.  Some other common factors are: not thinking before acting; making rash decisions; being self-centered and rarely showing concern for others.

They have difficulty maintaining relationships, often seeming fake or shallow in their dealings with others.   Persons with histrionic personalities may habitually threaten or attempt suicide to get attention

The cause of histrionic personality disorder is not known, but it is thought that both learned and inherited factors play a role in its development.  The tendency for histrionic personality disorder to run in families and suggests that a genetic susceptibility for the disorder might be inherited. Frequently however, the child of a parent with this disorder may be repeating a learned behavior.  Attention given to a child by his or her parents that confusion about what types of behavior earns parental approval may be a factor in the child developing a histrionic personality.

In general, people with histrionic personality disorder do not believe they need therapy. They also tend to exaggerate their feelings and to dislike routine, which makes following a treatment plan difficult.  If depression possibly associated with a loss or a failed relationship or another problem caused by their thinking and behavior causes them distress they will often seek out treatment.

Psychotherapy is generally the treatment of choice for histrionic personality disorder. The goal of treatment is to help the individual uncover the motivations and fears associated with his or her thoughts and behavior, and to help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive way.  Medication might be used to treat any upsetting symptoms, depression or anxiety that may coexist with the disorder.

Histrionic personality disorder can affect a person's social or romantic relationship.  The way a person reacts to losses or failures and disrupts their lives.  People with this disorder are also a high risk to suffer from depression.  Many people with this disorder are able to function well socially and at work.  With severe cases, however, they can experience significant problems in their daily lives.

 
Without a know cause of this disorder only treatment when symptoms arise can allow a person with this disorder to learn more productive ways of dealing with situations in life.

Catatonia and Bipolar Disorder

Catatonia is an extreme mental illness that often occurs with other diseases or conditions, including catatonic behavior. Catatonic disorders are disturbances in muscular movement resulting from a psychological state. Catatonia is a condition characterized by a psychomotor disturbance, an interruption of normal movement. Catatonia is an extreme mental illness that often occurs with other diseases or conditions.  Catatonic features occur most often in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and similar conditions, but can occur with bipolar disorders and major depressive disorder. In some cases, catatonia may also be an extreme side effect of a medication. Stupor is a lack of response to external stimuli, no response to being spoken to or prodded. A person will frequently sit in one position, unable to move for days, weeks, months or even years.
Extremely depressed people diagnosed with catatonic schizophrenia can experience catatonic states. This can leave them unmoving for weeks. A less extreme symptom of catatonic disorder is slowed-down motor activity. Often, the body position or posture of a catatonic person is unusual or inappropriate; in addition, he or she may hold a position if placed in it by someone else. These depressed persons may remain virtually motionless, or move around in an extremely vigorous but apparently random fashion. Extreme negativism, elective mutism (choosing not to speak), peculiar movements, and imitating someone else's words or phrases (echolalia) or movements (echopraxia) may also be part of the symptoms. These behaviors may require caregivers to supervise the patient, to insure that he or she does not hurt him- or herself or others
Bipolar depression is not the only mental disorder that can trigger a catatonic state. Mania or mixed moods can cause a person to become immobile. Catatonic behaviors may also occur in persons with other mood disorders. Persons experiencing manic or mixed mood states (a simultaneous combination of manic and depressive symptoms) may at times exhibit either the immobility or agitated random activity seen in catatonia. A severely depressed person may experience intense emotional pain from simply moving a finger. Even getting up out of a chair can be a painful chore that may take hours for the severely depressed individual. As the depression begins to lift, the catatonic symptoms diminish.
Mood disorders are believed to be at least partially caused by irregularities in production of neurotransmitters within the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send and receive impulses from one nerve cell to another. Two of the most important neurotransmitters associated with depression are norepinephrine and serotonin. Dopamine is another neurotransmitter that plays a role in the development of depressive disorders.
Treatment of catatonic symptoms due to mood disorder involves therapy directed at the underlying mood disorder. Manic episodes are treated with such mood stabilizers as lithium and Depakote. Depressive episodes are treated with antidepressant medications or, if necessary, electroconvulsive treatment
.
When the catatonia is a side effect of the medication; the symptoms will often disappear after the medication wi stopped.

Anxiety Attacks Signs and Symptoms

We all know what an attack of anxiety feels like. They are natural reactions to stress. However, if worries, fears, or anxiety attacks seem to be controlling the way you live your and are preventing you from living your life the way you normally did, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
There are many anxiety treatments and self-help strategies that can help to reduce your anxiety symptoms.

It is normal to worry and feel tense or scared when under pressure or facing a stressful situation. Anxiety is the body’s response to danger, an automatic signal when it feels threatened.
Anxiety can help you stay alert and focused, prod you to action, and motivate you to solve problems. But when anxiety is constant or overwhelming, when it interferes with relationships and activities that is when it becomes an anxiety disorder.
If you have or have had some of the following signs and symptoms, that linger, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Are you constantly tense, worried? Does your anxiety interfere with your work, school, or family responsibilities? Are you overwhelmed by fears that you know are irrational, but cannot shake them? Do you avoid everyday situations or activities because they cause you to feel anxious? Are you experiencing sudden, unexpected attacks of heart-pounding panic? Do you feel like danger and disaster are likely to happen any moment?
Anxiety disorders are a group of conditions rather than a single disorder; they vary from person to person. A person may undergo intense anxiety attacks that strike without warning, while another gets panicky at the thought of driving on the expressway. Someone may be disabled with the fear of a social event, or another person may have uncontrollable, intrusive thoughts and live in a constant state of tension, worrying about anything and everything.
Regardless of the different forms, all anxiety disorders one prominent symptom: persistent or severe fear or worry in situations where most people wouldn’t feel threatened.
In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include: feelings of apprehension or dread, feeling tense and jumpy, anticipating the worst, trouble concentrating.
Anxiety is more than just a feeling. Anxiety involves a wide range of physical symptoms. Because of the physical symptoms, people often mistake their anxiety disorder for a medical illness. Common physical symptoms are tremors, sweating, pounding heart, headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath, a choking feeling, stomach upset or diarrhea, insomnia.
Many people with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression. The depression makes anxiety worse it is important to treat both conditions.
Anxiety attacks ¬are episodes of intense panic or fear. Anxiety attacks usually occur suddenly and without warning. Sometimes there’s a trigger but in other cases, the attacks come out of the blue.
Anxiety attacks usually climax within ten minutes, and they rarely last more than thirty minutes. The physical symptoms of anxiety attacks are so terrifying that many people believe they’re having a heart attack.
It is important to get help if you’re starting to avoid certain situations or places because you’re afraid of having a panic attack. Anxiety attacks are highly treatable.
If constant worries and fears distract you from your day-to-day activities or you’re troubled by a persistent feeling that something bad is going to happen, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. These people are chronic worrywarts who feel anxious nearly all of the time, though they may not even know why. This type of anxiety related to often shows up as physical symptoms like insomnia, stomach upset, restlessness, and fatigue
If your lifestyle is unhealthy and stressful, you’re more likely to feel anxious with or without an anxiety disorder.
If your stress levels are very high, think about how you can bring your life back into balance. There may be responsibilities you can give up, turn down, or hand over to others. If you’re feeling isolated, find someone you trust to talk to; just talking about your worries can make them seem less frightening. Worrying about all the things that could go wrong keeps you from enjoying the good things that are happening.
Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of relaxation and emotional well-being.
Develop healthy eating habits. Start the day right with breakfast, and continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more anxious.
Reduce alcohol and nicotine. They lead to more anxiety, not less.
Exercise regularly. Exercise releases stress and are an anxiety reliever. To achieve the maximum benefit, get at least 30 minutes a day.
Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep can aggravate anxious thoughts and feelings, so try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night
If your worries and fears have become so great that they’re causing extreme distress or disrupting your daily routine, it is important to get help from a doctor. Your doctor can check to make sure that your anxiety isn’t caused by a medical condition, such as a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, or some other illness.
If a medical cause is ruled out, consult with a doctor experienced in treating anxiety attacks and anxiety disorders. The doctor diagnoses the cause and type of your anxiety disorder and work out a treatment plan.
Anxiety disorders respond very well to treatment. The treatment depends on the type of anxiety disorder and its severity. Most anxiety disorders are treated with behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of the both.
Anxiety medications can be habit forming and may cause side effects. It’s important to weigh the benefits and risks so you can make the decision about whether anxiety medication is the right treatment for you.
A variety of medications, including benzodiazepines and antidepressants, are used in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Medication may sometimes be used short-term to relieve severe anxiety symptoms so that other forms of therapy can be engaged in.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder is an emotional disorder that affects emotional stability; it leads to stress and various other problems.

When you have borderline personality disorder your image of yourself is distorted, you feel worthless and fundamentally imperfect.   Many people with borderline personality disorder get better with treatment and can live happy, fulfilling lives

Borderline personality disorder is a described as a prolonged disturbance of personality function in a person over the age of eighteen years, although adolescents can be diagnosed with it, characterized an inconsistency of moods.  The disorder typically involves unusual levels of instability in mood; black and white thinking; the disorder often manifests itself in chaotic and unstable self image, interpersonal relationships and behavior; including a disturbance in the individual's self worth.

 Borderline personality disorder splitting includes switching between idealizing and demonizing others.  Combined with mood disturbances, can damage relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. Borderline personality disorder may include self utilization. Without treatment, symptoms may worsen, leading to suicide attempts.

Borderline personality disorder is a mental disorder that belongs to the group of mental illnesses called personality disorders. It is characterized by a consistent pattern of thinking, feeling, and interacting with others and with the world that tends to cause significant problems for the person. Specifically, Borderline personality disorder is associated with a pattern of unstable ways of seeing oneself, feeling, behaving, and relating to others that drastically interferes with the individual's ability to function.

Borderline personality disorder has had symptoms that include both mood problems and distortions of reality psychosis, and was thought to be on the borderline between mood problems and schizophrenia. It can occur equally in men and women in general, while primarily in women in groups

While men with Borderline personality disorder can also have a substance-use disorder; it is more often associated with eating disorders symptoms in women. Adults who have antisocial personality disorder may be more likely to also have Borderline personality disorder.

  

Some researchers consider it to be a variation of bipolar disorder; research supports the theory that Borderline personality disorder has many distinctive and complex ways.  It can be a combination with bipolar or another mental disorder. Still others will have Borderline personality exclusively.

Borderline personality disorder is difficult to treat. The return of symptoms is a common problem. Many people have difficult relationships with their therapists or doctors. But it is possible to recover from the destructive behaviors of Borderline personality disorder.

When you are diagnosed, you will begin treatment with professional psychotherapy. The first goal of therapy is to help you control destructive behaviors, especially if you are feeling suicidal or self-destructive. When the danger to harm yourself decreases and you are able to function better, treatment will focus on managing your emotions, such as controlling feelings of anger or unhappiness.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Signs zand Symptoms

The symptoms and signs of Chronic fatigue syndrome are:  chronic severe fatigue for at least six months not caused by any disease and other symptoms such as cognitive impairment, muscle pain, joint pains, new types of headaches, tender lymph nodes, sore throat, non-refreshed sleep and depression after exercise, that occur at the same time or after the occurrence of severe fatigue.

Treatment is treating the symptoms patients show.  The prognosis for CFS in adults is only fair to poor; children have a better prognosis with treatment. A healthy lifestyle is the usual advice given.

To be diagnosed the patient must have both of the following:  have severe chronic fatigue for six months or longer with other known medical condition.   They must have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain.  These symptoms include chest pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, cough, diarrhea, nausea, night sweats, jaw stiffness and pain, muscle stiffness and pain, double vision, and panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.

There is no laboratory test that can give a diagnosis of Chronic fatigue syndrome, and there are no physical signs in particular to identify Chronic fatigue syndrome. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed by excluding all other diseases that may cause the symptoms listed above.   It is not unusual for patients to undergo an extensive battery of tests to rule out other diseases before a patient is determined to have Chronic fatigue syndrome.

In addition, four symptoms of the symptoms listed above the condition must have persisted or recurred for six or more consecutive months. The symptoms must have occurred at the same time or after severe chronic fatigue appeared, but not before.

Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief.  Some treatment includes Antidepressants Many people who have chronic fatigue syndrome are also depressed.  And low doses of some antidepressants also can help improve sleep and relieve pain.  Sleeping pills, if avoiding caffeine does not help you get better rest at night, your doctor might suggest trying prescription sleep aids.

The most effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome appears to be psychotherapy with a light exercise program.  Starting slowly with a 30 minute workout; your strength and endurance will improve as you gradually increase the intensity of your exercise over time.

Psychotherapy; Talking with a therapist can help you find options to work around some of the limitations of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Schizophrenia Signs and Symptoms

There is no test that can diagnose schizophrenia. A psychiatrist comes to the diagnosis based on clinical symptoms. What physical testing can do is rule out a lot of other conditions that sometimes have similar symptoms.

People diagnosed with schizophrenia usually experience a combination of symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, racing thoughts, apathy, are deficient in emotion, poor social functioning, and disorganized thoughts, difficulty concentrating and following instructions, difficulty completing tasks, memory problems.  Only a psychiatrist can make a diagnosis and start a treatment program. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please make an appointment with your doctor and/or a psychiatrist.

The first step in getting treatment for schizophrenia is getting a correct diagnosis. This is important The sooner you are diagnosed and receive medication the sooner the recovery; which is the true for all serious illnesses.  Because the symptoms of schizophrenia can be similar at times to other major brain disorders, such as bipolar disorder (manic depression) or even major depression; this may take time. A person with schizophrenia may be paranoid or believe that nothing is wrong with them, and therefore may not want to go to see a doctor so family intervention may be necessary. 

This is a vital part of the treatment and recovery process, as research and anecdotal evidence both confirm that a good patient-doctor relationship can be important for treatment compliance.

If you have a family history of schizophrenia, psychiatric illness, or other serious conditions in your family, it can be a great help to the doctor to have family support.

Schizophrenia is characterized by profound disruption in cognition and emotion, affecting the most fundamental functioning: language, thought, perception, affect, and sense of self. The various symptoms frequently includes psychotic manifestations, such as hearing internal voices or experiencing other sensations not connected to an obvious source, hallucinations and fixed false personal beliefs, delusions.

Types of Schizophrenia

Paranoid schizophrenia - These persons are very suspicious of others and often have grand schemes of persecution.    The hallucinations, and delusions, are a prominent and common part of the illness.

Disorganized schizophrenia - The person is verbally incoherent and may have moods and emotions that are not appropriate to the situation. Hallucinations are not usually present.

Catatonic schizophrenia - The person is extremely withdrawn, negative and isolated, and has marked psychomotor disturbances.

Residual schizophrenia - In this case the person is not currently suffering from delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech and behavior, but lacks motivation and interest in day-to-day living.

Schizoaffective disorder - These people have symptoms of schizophrenia as well as mood disorder such as major depression, bipolar mania, or mixed mania

Because schizophrenia often shares symptoms found in other disorders, misdiagnosis is a common problem.  Knowing the symptoms of these disorders, and how they can be similar and different from schizophrenia, can help prevent a possible misdiagnosis.  Getting a correct diagnosis is necessary for finding a treatment program that works for you.

My Blogs and What I Hope to Accomplish

Hello from wena

When I started my first blog in July of 2011 I never dreamed that I would write 75 which is where it stands now.  I hope that I have accomplished what I tried to do.  Helping people with mental disorders to have more rewarding lives with knowledge of Bipolar disorder.

My goal is to bring information that all people with mental illnesses can use for living a more fulfilling life and to educate the general public about mental health issues.

Any and all comments would be appreciated I am a novice and would love to hear the feedback about the blogs that I write.

If one person ishelped by what I am writing my goal in life is fulfilled.  I plan to branch out into the rest of the psychiatric world with more blogs on more subjects that may be of interest.

Thank you for reading my humble efforts at trying to reeducate the worlde one word at a time.

Living With a Psychosis

Suffering from a mental illness is frightening, frustrating and just plain confusing. The challenges to people that suffer from a psychosis in overwhelming at times.  Psychotic symptoms touch every aspect of the person’s life including friends and family.  A psychosis can appear with many illnesses but when you have a mental illness it is often life long.  The first thing to do is gain knowledge of the various symptoms. Know you illness.  Learn the exact diagnosis and what the prognosis is  Study the medications used to treat psychosis and the condition that is causing it.  Find out what medications you are taking and why.   Learn to recognize the symptoms. 

 Once you have the correct diagnosis coping with the psychotic symptoms will be easier. Build a support system: family and close friends and of course a competent team of doctor and therapist.  Share your knowledge with your support team.  Those closest to you  need to know in order for them  to help you when necessary.  . Know what to expect and find out to watch out for before the psychosis takes hold watch for warning symptoms.  

Stress is a trigger learning how to reduce it is an important part of managing the symptoms.  Make a plan; put in writing everything the support group should do in case you cannot handle every day tasks.   You want to have a rational goal setup when you are not experiencing the symptoms of psychosis so that you will be prepared in case of a relapse.

Maintain any medications even if you feel better and do not think that you need them any longer.  Consult with your doctor about any side effects. Keeping symptoms under control is the goal to living the most gratifing life that you can.

Continuing your treatment and being actively involved with your doctor and health care providers is extremely important
for a rewarding life.

 List daily goals for yourself; try to achieve the items on the list one by one don’t make a marathon run one step at a time. The major projects on your list can be broken down to weekly for you to do so that you are not overwhelmed by them.

Keep a daily journal this will help you to cope with symptoms as well.  Write all of your emotions, thoughts  and worries and goals.   Writing in it everyday will help you to keep your emotions in control. You will be able to refer to it and discover the good times and the bad times as well as how you coped with them.   You can then change your or continue to handle them positively and avoid situations are triggers.

You will need your support team in your times of need.   Family, friends and treatment team can all combine to help you cope with psychotic symptoms.  

:Living  a  psychosis is not easy there will be many falls the key is to control what you can with self awareness and self help maintain good doctor patient relationship and continue with medications.

Living With Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar Living

Living with bipolar disorder requires knowledge, complete medication compliance and a diligent regimen to coping with bipolar disorder. It is very important that you have to work until you achieve long-term stability with as few side effects as possible.  This means multiple trial and errors sometimes it is imperative that you seek a doctor or therapist to help you manage the symptoms of your disease.
You must learn to faithfully monitor your symptoms, help yourself to live stress free, learn about all of the medication side effects that can occur from medication and watch for mania or depression episodes beginning. Being honest with your doctor, they are your best friend; learning dedicating your life to living with bipolar disorder is the first step to coping with bipolar disorder.
 A goal and a daily mission are important to life no matter who you are. Having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish every day of your life is worth striving for and the road to being symptom free.
  Make every effort to spot the early warning signs of a mood swing, crying for no reason, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, any feeling useless, and irritability and be aware of your spending habits, changes in sexual habits and feelings of being superior than you normally do. Keeping track of your symptoms is one of the coping techniques that will ensure long-term stability.  Healthy living by having the proper facts about your disease leads to wellness.                                       
 Finding the right treatment plans begins the process of coping with bipolar disorder.  There are different treatment plans available for bipolar patients. Some practices that will ensure long-term stability include:   proper dieting, exercise, yoga, martial arts, hobbies, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
 You should have daily journal of how and any symptoms you may feel.   Daily activities that you should make sure a part of a system are:   work on one project and finish it before starting another, make sure you are getting the proper amount of sleep each night, as well as eating the proper portions of healthy nutritional foods, contacting your therapist or doctor whenever you are having bipolar symptoms of mania or depression coming upon. Paying attention to the early warning signs of mania or major depressive episodes is critical. You can also using your support group when necessary
Self-Awareness is the secret of maintain a stable mood. Even if you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar I, bipolar II, self-awareness is answer. When in an acute depressive episode or extreme episode of mania you have little self control.   When experiencing hypomania you are capable of using self-awareness and your daily life.
Keeping a daily Journal of your feelings and thoughts and writing down any symptoms will help you to become skilled at recognizing triggers you will see early warning signs. Managing bipolar disorder is to gain knowledge of and using the skills for prevention.

Unfortunately there is no cure for bipolar disorder but, there is control, and prevention of future episodes and with time, work and a capable doctor there can be stability to this devastating disorder.

Schizoaffective Disorder Signs and Symptoms

Schizoaffective disorder is a serious mental illness that has symptoms of two different conditions, schizophrenia and a mood disorder, either major depression or bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions, perceives reality and relates to others. Depression is an illness that is marked by feelings of sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness, as well as problems concentrating. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes, including severe highs called mania and lows called depression.

Schizoaffective disorder is a lifelong illness that can disrupt all areas of daily living, including work or school, social contacts and relationships. Most people with this illness have periodic episodes. There is no cure for schizoaffective disorder; symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment.

A person with schizoaffective disorder has severe changes in mood and some of the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. Psychotic symptoms reflect the person's inability to tell what is real from what is created by the disorder. Symptoms of schizoaffective may be mild or severe. Symptoms of schizoaffective disorder may include:

Depression:  Poor appetite, Weight loss or gain, Changes in sleeping patterns , Agitation, Lack of energy, Loss of interest in usual activities, Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, Guilt or self-blame, Inability to think or concentrate,  Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one perceives things.

Schizoaffective disorder is often confused with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic depression), because the symptoms are similar.  Some people only ever have one episode, but others may have recurring episodes at intervals throughout their life, usually when they are under stress.
Schizoaffective disorder affects your thinking processes and your moods. Moods can swing from deep depression to extreme elation in the course of one episode of the disorder, and in this it resembles bipolar disorder. Within the same episode, there are also schizophrenia-like symptoms, which might include: hallucinations or delusions.  Having hallucinations and delusions is being psychotic, because, the person having them is out of touch with reality.
Depression may be the symptom you experience most when you have schizoaffective disorder. If you are depressed you will feel sad, lonely, tired and bored with life. You may want to sleep a great deal.  When the depression gets really bad, you may not be aware of having any feelings at all, except emptiness and despair.  Your thoughts may become very morbid.
Depression may alternate with mania; sometimes mild and at other times severe. Mania can make you feel very excited and enthusiastic about life, talkative, and racing thoughts, ideas and plans. You need very little sleep. Your confidence in your own judgement and abilities which can cause difficulty in daily activities.  People are extravagant with money, and pursue sexual encounters and risky business ventures. The euphoria can turn to sour when you become angry and irritable, especially if someone contradicts or questions you.

The cycles of mania and depression can be at regular periods; this varies from person to person. It can be rapid cycling 4 or more episodes a year; to moods alternating every year.  It is possible to live without symptoms for years. But the symptoms can return with no warning. At its extreme, full-blown mania can be a very frightening.   If left untreated, the cycles can begin to happen more rapidly and more severely.

Mixed and Rapid Cycling in Bipolar Disorder

 Unstable mood and energy marks the life of a person with Bipolar Disorder.  People with such instability have big changes in their mood, or energy, or creativity over periods of time.  They may have easy crying.  They may have extreme episodes of anger.  They can sometimes have inappropriate laughing too loudly or too much.    

Mixed states include only phases of full manic and full depressive cycles as short as 4 days.  

 Other combinations of depression and hypomania, or mania exist but not the two full phases together.  And it is possible to have cycles shorter than 4 days.

 For a lot of people, there are no phases of normal functioning; instead, many people have only symptoms, varying from one kind to another.

Symptoms vary separately from one another, and at different durations. 

 Bipolar disorder has phases lasting at least 4 days shorter than that, and it does not meet the official diagnosis. But the shorter versions are seen so often they have their own names.

Many people with Bipolar II do not have the intervals, in between periods of having symptoms that are often spoken about Bipolar I disorder. and Bipolar II.    

 A rapid cycling of the individual symptoms, at different rates, can create a varying pattern of nearly continuous symptoms.  Instead of having periodic episodes, the person has almost constantly shifting symptom phases that blend into one another.

  Many people have rapid cycling and mixed states due to medication for others it is the natural course of the disease.  Mixed states and rapid cycling are hard to treat but treatment is available and with good prognosis in some cases.

Self Management Techniques For Bipolar Patient


 High functioning patients with bipolar disorder who have a long history of illness use a self management techniques to manage their illness.
There are six areas that effect their disorder: sleep, rest, exercise and diet; ongoing monitoring; enacting a plan; reflective and meditative practices; understanding bipolar disorder; and connecting with others.
Sufficient and regular sleep was identified as one of the most important strategies for maintaining or recovery. Choosing healthy foods, eating regularly scheduled meals, and taking vitamin supplements as was regular exercise.
The importance of learning to pay close attention to their moods and activities, in order to judge when to make changes is stressed. Planning for impending manic or depressive episodes,  either an informal understanding between family members or friends or a legal  document to guide decisions.
Reflective and meditative practices ranging from practices such as Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation to activities like regular journal keeping, inspirational reading, and praying can be used with success.
Information about their illness through a variety of sources including: books and newsletters, the internet, attending groups and talking to healthcare teams. Some also shared what they had learned with family member and friends.
Connecting with others was an important technique for many patients, but also keeping a balance between solitary and social time was important. Connections or support group included:  family and friends, professional support, and volunteering their time.
It is important for patients to discover the best coping strategy for themselves.
There are numerous ways to cope with the daily living as a Bipolar patient.  Living a Bipolar Life is difficult, frustrating but in the long run learning ways to help maintain a healthy lifestyle contributes greatly to the success of the medication treatment.

Self Management Techniques For Bipolar Patients

 High functioning patients with bipolar disorder who have a long history of illness use a self management techniques to manage their illness.
There are six areas that effect their disorder: sleep, rest, exercise and diet; ongoing monitoring; enacting a plan; reflective and meditative practices; understanding bipolar disorder; and connecting with others.
Sufficient and regular sleep was identified as one of the most important strategies for maintaining or recovery. Choosing healthy foods, eating regularly scheduled meals, and taking vitamin supplements as was regular exercise.
The importance of learning to pay close attention to their moods and activities, in order to judge when to make changes is stressed. Planning for impending manic or depressive episodes,  either an informal understanding between family members or friends or a legal  document to guide decisions.
Reflective and meditative practices ranging from practices such as Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation to activities like regular journal keeping, inspirational reading, and praying can be used with success.
Information about their illness through a variety of sources including: books and newsletters, the internet, attending groups and talking to healthcare teams. Some also shared what they had learned with family member and friends.
Connecting with others was an important technique for many patients, but also keeping a balance between solitary and social time was important. Connections or support group included:  family and friends, professional support, and volunteering their time.
It is important for patients to discover the best coping strategy for themselves.
There are numerous ways to cope with the daily living as a Bipolar patient.  Living a Bipolar Life is difficult, frustrating but in the long run learning ways to help maintain a healthy lifestyle contributes greatly to the success of the medication treatment.

Rapid cycling and Mixed States in Bipolar Disorder

Rapid Cycling and Mixed States
 Unstable mood and energy marks the life of a person with Bipolar Disorder.  People with such instability have big changes in their mood, or energy, or creativity over time.  They may have easy crying .  They may have extreme episodes of anger.  They can sometimes have inappropriate laughing too loud or too long.    

Mixed states include only phases of full manic and full depressive cycles as short as 4 days.  

 Other combinations of depression and hypomania, or mania exist but not the two  full phases together.  And it is possible to have cycles shorter than 4 days.

 For a lot of people, there are no phases of normal functioning (or very brief ones); instead, many people have only symptoms, varying from one kind to another.

Symptoms vary separately from one another, and at different rates. 

 Bipolar disorder is supposed to have phases lasting at least 4 days shorter than that, and it doesn't fit the official model. But the shorter versions are seen so often they have their own names.

Many people with Bipolar II do not have the intervals, in between periods of having symptoms that are often spoken about Bipolar I disorder.    

 A rapid cycling of the individual symptoms, at different rates, can create a varying pattern of nearly continuous symptoms.  Instead of having identifiable episodes, the person has almost constantly shifting symptom phases that blend into one another.

 

 

 

Mania Coping Skills In Bipolar Disorder

Mania is the high of bipolar disorder and consists of racing thoughts, impulsivity, periods of intense activity, lack of sleep, and risk-taking, with high levels of creativity.  When manic, a person may do things he would never do otherwise, things that he will later regret. In managing bipolar disorder recognizing the onset of mania and following coping strategies is critical.  
The most important strategy for dealing with mania is recognizing the symptoms of the episode in its beginning and actively working to lessen or avert a manic episode. The symptoms of a manic attack differ by person, but after having had one, the triggers will help you to know if and when a manic episode is imminent. Some techniques for avoiding a full blown manic episode include decreasing activities, avoiding excess stimulation, maximizing sleep by establishing a sleep routine and using sleeping aids if needed. Consult with your doctor regarding a possible increase in medication.
Prepare yourself for signs of mania. Have your regular medication on hand and let your support group know that you may need them to help you cope during a manic episode.

The characteristics of Bipolar Disorder, as compared to other mood disorders, is the presence of at least one manic episode. It is presumed to be a chronic condition because the vast majority of individuals who have one manic episode have additional episodes in the future. The statistics show that four episodes in ten years is an average, without preventative treatment. Every individual with bipolar disorder has a unique pattern of mood cycles, combining depression and manic episodes that is specific to that individual, but predictable once the pattern has been established. Research studies suggest a genetic influence in bipolar disorder. 

Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. It is often not recognized as a psychological problem, because it is episodic. Those who have it may suffer needlessly for years without treatment.

Effective treatment is available for bipolar disorder. Without treatment, the chronic, episodic mood swings continue.  Noncompliance with treatment is one of the most important commitments that must be made. Most individuals with bipolar disorder do not perceive their manic episodes as needing treatment, and they resist treatment. Most people feel very good during the beginning of a manic episode, and don't want it to stop. This is a serious judgment problem. As the manic episode progresses, concentration becomes difficult, thinking becomes more grandiose, and  psychotic problems may develop.  Unfortunately, the risk taking behavior usually results in consequences such as loss of a job or a relationship, running up excessive debts, or getting into legal difficulties. Many individuals with bipolar disorder abuse drugs or alcohol during manic episodes, and can develop substance abuse problems in addition to Bipolar disorder. 

Psychotic Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder

Psychotic features are frequently present during the manic phase of bipolar I disorder. Psychosis may also manifest during extreme episodes of depression.  Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality.  They are also present in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Severe episodes of mania or depression include psychotic symptoms. The most common symptoms are hallucinations hearing, seeing, or sensing the presence of things not actually there.

Hallucinations are most often associated with mental illness schizophrenia. However, they may also occur for those with bipolar disorder when either depression or mania has psychotic features.

Severe episodes of mania or depression include psychotic symptoms. The most common symptoms are hallucinations hearing, seeing, or sensing the presence of things not actually there.  Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder reflect the extreme mood state at the time.

Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held. They are one aspect of the psychotic features of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

In depression, the psychosis is usually consistent with their depressed state (eg, thinking they have a terminal disease and are about to die). In schizophrenia, these thoughts are more bizarre and disorganized or paranoid

 When a person is manic delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may arise; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed a terrible crime, may exist during depression. Some, during their mania, believe they are more important, gifted or capable than they really are. As a result of their inflated thoughts, they often behave in ways that are not usual for them, and represent a severe change from the non-psychotic state. For example, people during a manic psychosis might believe: they are capable of superhuman feats can fly, drive at excessive speeds, gamble excessively though they are broke.   They have God-like qualities, and begin to preach to others.

Psychosis during a manic episode is a very severe symptom and needs to be treated. Today,  drugs called atypical antipsychotics that are used to treat mania with and without psychosis.

Verbal Auditory Hallucinations

Voices are verbal auditory hallucinations thought to be owned by schizophrenics only by the general public.  In fact voices are not exclusive to schizophrenics; manic and depressed persons can hear voices.  Psychological trauma, sexually abused women, combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder can also have auditory hallucinations.

Voices can be caused by nonpsychiatric conditions; physical illnesses including:  brain tumors, Parkinson, migraine headaches, epilepsy, Alzheimers, and other delirium are know to cause people to hear voices.  Street drugs such as LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, ecstasy and cocaine cause hallucinations.  Alcohol especially during or after a binge can make someone experience voices.  Chronic alcoholics can and do hear voices much like schizophrenic voices so that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Some people can hear voices without any distress or impairment in functioning.  Grief hallucinations can occur when a person loses a spouse; they can hear the deceased person’s voice and some actually can hold a conversation with them.  The hallucination eases the mourning process.

Auditory hallucinations are not limited to the mentally ill.  Surveys done have shown that many people who do not suffer from mental or physical disorders can and do hear voices.  Voices are in history, in Greek literature and philosophy, Socrates heard voices of a Divine being giving guidance with everyday tasks.

Voices have been heard throughout history as muses, madmen and prophets.  It is time to rethink the experience of hearing auditory hallucinations.  The mentally ill are not the only ones to be condemned to the sounds of their minds but should be heard despite the hallucinations which need to be seen as an unusual and personal experience of life that has meaning and is not just a symptom of a disorder.

Experiences of Life

These pages were dedicated to people suffering from Bipolar Disorder only, at first, now we seem to be broadening out a little with this one; but still within the Bipolar Experience or Bipolar Living.

I have recently come across some information that explains a lot about someone who is Bipolar I with psychotic tendencies; the psychotic tendencies are verbal auditory hallucinations.  These always seemed to be a contradition to the diagnosis except now I have found the basis for that diagnosis and understand more about Bipolar Disorder and Mental illness in general. 

Most of all I have discovered a whole new realm of human life experiences and wish to share it here.  This is just the tip of the iceberg; there seems to be a vast amount of information on mental illnesses that has come to light within the past few decades since I started research on Bipolar Disorder and other mental illnesses.  So there will be new information as I find it.  This information may be about any type of disorder or condition that I am finding out about since I started writing these blogs.  I am thirsty for knowledge and wish to share it with everyone I can and help anyone I can with these humble blogs of mine. 

It will take time for me to gather all the information and I am striving to present it in a way that can be understood by the general public.  People have different experiences and they love to share it and I am just a receiver of the experiences not necessarily the person who experiences them.  Much of what I am presenting may be wrong or I may misunderstand but I am keeping it as factual as possible.

A lot of the information causes controversy as to whether it can be proven or not I unfortunately can not prove anything I am not a researcher. I am just someone seeking information to help, cause someone to think about, save someone needless worry or just to give someone the push they need to get help.

Bipolar Disorder Prognosis

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that varies from severe and long-term, or mild with infrequent episodes.  The typical patient with bipolar disorder averages 8 - 10 manic or depressive episodes over a lifetime. Some people experience more and some fewer episodes.

Research shows that bipolar disorder patients have higher death rates from suicide, diabetes and heart problems than those in the general population. Patients who get treatment experience great improvement in survival rates.

 Usually the depressive phases are more than manic phases, and the cycles of mania and depression are irregular and unpredictable. Many patients experience mixed mania, or a mixed state, in which both mania and depression coexist daily.

A smaller percentage of Bipolar patients have episodes known as rapid cycling. With this phase the manic and depressive episodes alternate at least four times a year and, in severe cases, can even progress to several cycles a day. Rapid cycling tends to occur more often in women and in those with Bipolar II.  This type of the disorder is difficult to treat since the use of antidepressants can trigger the switch to mania.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents are different than those of adults.   Mania in children is characterized by irritability. Children with bipolar depression are angry and restless, and may have  mood and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder.  It is still unknown  if childhood bipolar disorder persists into adulthood.

 The prognosis for Bipolar disorder depends on the person it must be managed carefully at all times. Episodes of mania and depression may recur throughout the person's life but with treatment  the severity and duration of episodes can be reduced. Early treatment is always more effective than treatment later in an episode.  A small number of people are resistant to all treatment. People with Bipolar II generally have a better prognosis than those with Bipolar I.

Factors considered important in determining the prognosis of patients with bipolar disorder include the time between the onset of the symptoms and the beginning of drug therapy, presence or absence of psychotic features, indications of rapid-cycling, and presence of risk factors such as drug or alcohol dependency.

People with bipolar disorder can lead a healthy and productive life with treatment and compliance with the treatment program. Without treatment, bipolar disorder worsens with more frequent episodes of mania and depression which become more severe and intense. Drugs and psychotherapy are the most effective treatments. Medications may need to be adjusted in some people more frequently than in others.  Patients need to be vigilant for early warning signs of relapse and seeking help as quickly as possible.

Bipolar Disorder and Women

Bipolar Disorder also called Manic-Depression is a serious mental illness that causes shifts in moods.  Different from normal ups and downs it affects a person’s energy and ability to function.  The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can be severe.  People with Bipolar Disorder experience highs and lows (mania and depression).  Bipolar Disorder occurs equally between men and women, however, women usually have more frequent changes in moods called rapid cycling. Women are diagnosed with having Bipolar II Disorder more often then men.

Bipolar Disorder is a fairly common illness and develops in late adolescence and early adulthood.  It can be treated effectively and people can lead productive lives with early intervention.

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness and has to be managed throughout a person’s life but there can be changes in their mood swings due to age and hormonal changes and the illness may become worse.

Menopause is a normal process of reproductive aging known as perimenopause which for most women stars around the age of 40.  The ovaries start to produce less estrogen and progesterone.  Many women may experience symptoms of menopause which can include mood swings.  These mood swings may be related to decreasing levels of estrogen.

Bipolar symptoms can increase in women with Bipolar Disorder they can become worse and medications that once worked cease to be as effective in controlling them.

Additional life experiences can also make Bipolar Disorder worse such as sexuality, aging, children leaving home.

Distinguishing menopausal symptoms and worsening of Bipolar Disorder may take blood tests to check hormone levels.  Often a low dose of oral contraceptives can stabilize hormone levels and may control the mood swings.

Any change in mood swings should be communicated to your doctor so that interventions, additional medications can stop a minor mood swing from becoming a major problem.

It is important to have a complete physical to determine if it is a medical problem or a sign of your Bipolar Disorder getting worse.

Women of menopausal age with Bipolar Disorder should keep in close contact with their doctor and consider individual or group therapy to help to deal with the changes in their bodies which may interfere with their mood swings.  Any changes in physical conditions should be monitored to decrease the chances of a major episode.