Bipolar Living: Medication

I know been there, done it, walked around but there are no if ands or buts.  For a Bipolar you have to take medication.  It does not matter which medication you and your doctor choose a medication regime is essential.  Medication compliance, which means taken as prescribed, maximizes the prevention of future episodes and all of the drama that goes with an unstable mood.  Find the strategies that work for you and affirm them daily.

Finding the right combination and dosages can take time and can be frustrating.  Some Bipolars must take multiple medications each day; your own body makeup decides which medication works best for you with the least amount of side effects.  Medication is needed to get well and stay well.

The challenge of adhering to a medication routine is the major contributor to relapses.  Compliance with medication is the key to thriving with Bipolar Living.  Find a way to remind yourself when to take your medication: notes on the bathroom mirror, alarms, messages in your computer email; anything that encourages you to take that dose.  Keep the times you take your medication in your cell phone.  Use pill dispensers with days and times you take them.  Keep a log; write down when you last took it and when it is time again for it.

And for those that medication works well for, which is the majority, when you feel you are missing your high and creativity look at the risk of having a more serious depression if you reduce or skip a dose. It takes 1 time to crash and is the chance for a morbid depression worth even 1 hypomanic episode for what may be for a short time.

The effectiveness of medication is in your power.  Take control of Bipolar Disorder and Take Your Medication.

More Bipolar Living

Is it possible to turn suffering into a positive meaningful life experience.  In order to do so you have to understand and learn to have a positive mental attitude.  The diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, a serious mental illness, can be turned into an opportunity to emerge stronger with more self empowerment.  To have a purpose in life to achieve more goals and obtain greater pleasure in life takes work, knowledge and discipline.  It is not something you have to do alone you will need a doctor you can trust, confide in, depend on for  advice when you need assistance with your goal to mental wellness. With the right combination of health care providers, medication and self awareness you can regain the losses you may experience because of Bipolar Disorder.  Being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder need not be the end of hope for a future; it is just a change in your way of life not and end to your life.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has Bipolar disorder the first step is to immediately seek medical help.  A psychiatrist will be able to make the diagnosis and administer treatment.  When it comes to treatment the only true option is medication psychotherapy can be used in conjunction with medication it is up to the individual and type of Bipolar disorder and the treating doctor to decide.  Medication may seem to be a drastic step to make but since Bipolar disorder is biological in nature with a chemical imbalance in the brain medication is necessary in order to bring the brain back to a level state and aid in preventing future episodes.

Depending on the diagnosis the medications vary with Bipolar II with mild to moderate symptoms the medication is far more different than when you are dealing with Bipolar I disorder with psychotic symptoms and full blown mania.  The episode itself needs to be treated first an acute manic episode or a depressive episode the medication of choice will be different until all the evidence is gathered past episodes, family history information is taken by the doctor when making the diagnosis.  Mood- stablizers are prescribed if it is a true case of Bipolar disorder.  The challenges of finding the correct medication for the particular individual can take time varying from person to person.  Each case of Bipolar disorder is different with the basic symptoms accompanied by individual symptoms of the person.

With the basic requirements of treatment, medication, optimism and dedication the transformation is complete and you can continue living but living Bipolar and the future for the majority of Bipolar patients is one of a learning process in a new healthier way.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

A brief overview of the Bipolar Disorder diagnosis.

What is Bipolar Disorder?   Everyone has moodswings anger, sadness, happiness related to life experiences, surroundings and people in their lives.  Bipolars experioence unusual and drastic shifts in mood.  These moodswings include:  energy, thoughts, behavior and the ability to function and are not related to their environment.

The moodswings can be extremely high and irritable or hopeless and sad.  These episodes are chronic and can be mild, moderate and severe in intensity.

What causes Bipolar Disorder; researchers have found evidence that Bipolar Disoirder is biological with an instability in the nerve impules in the brain; in the brain’s biochemical makeup.  It is being examined to see if it is genetically transmitted and there is convincing evidence that it is.  The  exact cause has not been proven yet.

What are the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?   The significant changes in mood from a high feeling sometimes with irritability, which is called mania; to feeling sadness to hopelessness, called depression.

The episodes vary in length and intensitytover years or within weeks, days or in some cases hours.  Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe.

What are the types of Bipolar Disorder?  There are different types of Bipolar Disorder that you can be diagnosed with.  Bipolar I has the main symptoms of the illness and has recurrent episodes of mania and depression with psychosis and possible mixed episodes.  Bipolar II is a milder form with hypomania and no full manic episodes.  Rapid Cycling is when 4 or more episodes occur within a year.

If you feel you have signs or know of someone who exhibits signs of Bipolar Disorder be aware that only a doctor can diagnose a mental illness; many physical illnesses can mimic mental illness.  Substance abuse can often show symptoms of a mental illness and it is imperative that you or the person gets medical advice immediately before any damage is done to themselves or others.

Mental health is prevention not a cure; being aware of your mental and emotional health takes a though evaluation of yourself.

Bipolar Life and Bipolar Living

Finding out that you have a chronic, serious mental illness with no cure available is a difficult thinng to hear. Even the thought of having to see a psychiatrist is hard. Being mentally ill brings out emotions that you never thought that you could never endure. The stigma and perceptions that most people have of the mentally ill for me caused anger. It is a normal reaction to learning that the way you have been living all of your life and will continue to live for the rest of you life is because of a mental disorder is devastating .

When things happen out of our control we feel angry, hopeless, helpless , confused and just plain uncontrollable. But being bipolar is not the wost thing in the world that can happen. It can be treated and you can have a productive life. Looking at the many brilliant famous people you share this disorder with no wonder it can sometimes be considered a gift.

Not all bipolars commit suicide; most find relief through treatment. Even if you are hospitilized with a severe episode you can return to your life with treatment. By managing your symptoms and finding good treatment it is possible to have a productive life.

The majority of bipolars can go for years without symptoms and do not live on a lifetime rollar coaster. They may be overwhelmed and finding the correct treatment is hard but if you are motivated and work at it you can control the illness and not let it control you and regain control of your life.

Stress and Bipolar Illness

Stress puts physical, emotional and psychological stress on us.  Stress can trigger a bipolar episode.  Understanding how stress brings on an episode gives us more control over the illness and our lives helping us to prevent and manage stress and episodes.

Changing the way we think and behave when stressed is the ideal.  Learning coping skills can help minimize the impact that stress has and can reduce the bipolar symptoms.

We can recognize the symptoms of stress including: tension, anxiety, frustration and changes in appetite and sleeping habits. There are also physical signs stomach distress, headaches, sleeping difficulties and constant fatigue.

 

Learning coping skills to reduce the symptoms fo stress and keeping healthy can help you manage your moodswings. Chronic stress is a trigger for bipolar episodes. Uncocntrolled stress leads to severe mania and depression. Having bipolar disorder can be very stressful in itself and creates anxiety that causes the symptoms.

Medicatioon that reduces anxiety or psychotherapy helps bipolars to learn how to stop the worrying about what might become an episode and be more aware of how we respond to environmental stressors.

Coping with stress means you identiffy the source of the stress and then make the deccision to reduce the impacct that the stress has in your present mood.

Keeping track of your behavior when faced with a stressor can give you antistress behavior skills. If you can change the stressor it is a big step but you may have to make changes in the way you handle the stressor.

There are many strategies that can control stress. Working with these techniques with a therapist can help improve your moods and minimize the impact that stress has in preventing future episodes.

Bipolar Living the Choice is Yours

Choosing your life and destiny is up to you. You can take control of your life now. It will talke investments both financial and time, perserverence and discipline but it is in your hands.Living Bipolar requires self sacrifices, self discipleine and a positive attitude. By strenously working on your bipolar disorder you can achieve happiness and peace. Fulfillment of your goals is possible your priorities can be had there will have to be self evaluation and changes but your life is your own and you can make the right choices and although complete freedom from bipolar disorder is not possible the rewards of maintaining a quality life is possible for everyone who dares to look within and listen to their own feelings.

It is a long and difficult journey that lies ahead. There will be trials of medication, therapy and setbacks. But for those who learn to take action for themselves will find the strength needed to live with bipolar disorder. And the road that lies ahead will be a healthier and more fulfilled life than they thought possible before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Never make the mistake of being content with the way things are expect the unexpected what may seem to be remission may just be symptoms lying dormant . Careful and diligent monitoring of your moods is the most important habit you can make.

Keeping track of your triggers and expecting one of them to come is the first step to independence and living bipolar. Keeping your mood chart knowing when you usually have more problems the times of the year the pressures of work, school all play a part in daily bipolar living. Dont make the mistake of falling back into old habits once you learn new ones that help. Keeping in mind that not everything is foreseeable and things happen by chance and it is part of everday living don't expect a miracle pill and you will be well. Medication has its drawbacks also You may have to adjust medications many times over sometimes every person is different and every medication is different. But keeping your medication regime staying in contact with your health care providers is essential.

When you learn to Live Bipolar you will be able to see the beautiful things in life and offer more to everyone in your environment.

Triggers And What You Can Do About Them

Finding out what can trigger symptoms can help avoid or ease future episodes. Stabilizing your moods begins with understanding them and the triggers that may help cause them.

Some possible triggers are: changes in sleep, sleep deprivation can trigger mania. Alcohol abuse can often trigger a depression. Excessive use of caffine or tobacco which contributes to mania. Illicit substance abuse which can trigger either mania or depression depending on the drug used. High sugar consumption . Lack of exercise and an irregular life schedule, eating, sleeping and working at different times during the day.

Stress can trigger depression and also mania. Major life events include: death of someone close to you. Divorce or loss of a partner. Getting married , going away to college or having a child move out to college. The birth or death of a child. Problems at work or school. Financial difficulties which is common among Bipolars. Changes in employment; the start of a new job or the loss of employment. Moving from a familiar environment especially to a completely different one.

Keeping track of you moods and triggers gives you more control in your treatment plan. You can recognize and see beginning symptoms of an episode and can take preventative steps. Knowing your triggers is a self empowerment tool that should be practiced daily.

A Little About SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

How seasonal are you? Not suprisingly there are a lot of you who can say that the have experienced or do regularly experience SAD symptoms. Do you fing yourself slowed down during the fall and winter seasons. Do you feel down in the dumps or truly depressed. Do you gain unwanted weight that refuses to budge? You may be one of millions who suffer from SAD.

Sad causes difficulties at work and in one's personal life. The most cheerful, energetic, productive person during dark winter months becomes a lethargic, irritable hermit. They find it difficult to perform everyday tasks. Their energy level drops and they have concentration problems which are drastically different from their summer months. With the warm, sunny spring months their vitality, energy and love of life returns and they are back to their normal selves.

People with SAD have prolonged episodes of depression at the same time every year; they show up in the short days of September to November and as spring and longer days come back their symptoms dissapate. The depression increases with the shorter hours of light in October and there is a dread of the Daylight Savings Time when the clocks are changed.

Many of these suffers have symptoms to such a degree that it is necessary for them to be treated by a doctor. New techniques with therapy, light therapy and newer medications are used to lift the mood and people have found great success with them. Antidepressants are used to control the depression that drags the person down and the reccurrent depressions can be dispelled and the person can resume life again.

Exercise and diet play a part in fighting the depression caused by the shorter days of winter and if the person can find the motivation to do so the seasonal changes need not be so drastic. Eating a regular diet with low fat and carbohydrates is a natural mood lifter and also keeps off those dreaded pounds.

Artificial light has been proven to be beneficial to SAD suffers and doctors and therapists are using it with great success. Outdoor activity is encouraged and with a regime of meds can have the sufferer back to their summer months.

SAD is not the end of the end with diligence and careful treatment SAD suffers can live their lives without the fear of winter.

Be Your Own Support Group

There are things that you can do for yourself and make your way through the difficult times.

Some people find it hard to confide in others or just do not feel comfortable depending on someone else; for the overly independent Bipolar try these tips to help yourself.

Exercise, physical activity can keep you focused and physically healthier. Socialize find new friends, ride a bus there are always people to chat with and you can relieve stress with a little friendly conversation. Relaxation exercises, listen to music music soothes jagged nerves, dance release all the pent up adrenaline. Pursue your favorite hobby try to keep up with the things you usually enjoy or leanrn a new hobby keeping busy lifts depression. Read a book or try for two take your mind off of what you are feeling by reading about what others are feeling even if it is an imaginary person truth is stranger than fiction. Write about your experiences and you may find that you can learn triggers for your moodswings and ways in which you can limit and reduce them. Write about anything at all let your imagination take you from your pain of depression.

When you are having difficulties in lfe taking your mind off of the overwhelming and returning to a simplistic way of life can hep with the frustrations of trying to stay stable. If you are waiting for medication to work take time off fro your usual schedule and return to a more childlike existance.

Watching the skies and finding enjoyment in little things that are around us takes the big picture of the changes in your life away and you can learn to live Bipolar in peace. Peace for a Bipolar may sound impossible while you are going through a crisis but there is peace for all who seek it and gain the knowledge to use it .

Bipolar Disorder and Relationships

Living with a person who has Bipolar disorder takes empathy, patience and most importantly time and understanding. When encountering a manic episode for the first time it is frightning to watch the person go through the exaggerated and volitile mood. During a depressive episode the person can become so unlike their usual self that it can bring out anger on the families part because they cannot understand what the person is going through or why.

Bipolar disorder is extremely debilitating on all who are around them and it may take years to be fully able to deal with the episodes. Medication regimes have to be kept up and helping the person during times of crisis is an art tht needs to be learned.

Living Bipolar and by Living Bipolar I mean having a healthy, stable and quality life, you will need some basic support. Emotional support, financial support and crisis support. You may also want care for children and pets, household help and accompaniment to appointments for when the depression can make daily living difficult.

Make a list of your support group you may want to share it with your doctor and treatment team if you become unable to take care of yourself or there is the need for hospitalization. Keep a copy of you dotors and heath professionals for your family and friends in an emergency.

You may choose not to disclose the details of your disorder to coworkers and emploer but it is wise to have one person aware that you have an illness and are actively seeking help this may keep your employment from jeopardy. But there are laws to protect you should you choose not

to.

Remember signs of your disorder have probably become noticiable to most of the people you have been in contact with already and telling them about your illness may relieve them of ideas such a substance abuse or some other type of problem. The decision to tell anyone about being bipolar is up to you the doctors and healthc care professionals cannot disclose anything about you to others so the choice of who and when to tell is up to you.

Living Bipolar is a lifetime commitment and for most a possibility for those who have to make drastic changes such as early retirement and disability the choice is still yours for some this is the only option but the majority of Bipolars live long and happy lives with treatment and diligence to their symptoms and a close relationship with a health care team.

More Bipolar Living

Open your mind to new ways of preventing future episodes. The mind holds infinite ideas and sensations at one time the ultimate computer the mind's thoughts travel with lightining speed through neurons which is seen in mania. Capturing those thoughts at times may be difficult but when you can channel your thoughts you can achieve calmness and relax your emotional state.

Think of stressors that trigger your moodswings and try to avoide them, find out your good times when you are not in the grip of a moodswing and try to capture the moment and revive the depressed mood or bring down your agitation to a more normal level.

Discuss with your doctor the side effects of your medication akathasia, sleepiness, lack of initiative and try new medications to control the side effects. Be honest with the doctor even if you feel that the high is good there will come a time when it will sour and your irritability and reckless behavior will win and you will lose control of the high.

Try practicing different cultural beliefs Buddism for one has practices for attaining patiece which every Bipolar knows is lost with a high practice the other cultures beliefrs without losing your own try to find a medium which is pleasant and meditate on it. This is possible and to still keep your own beliefs and Superior Power.

Return to your beliefs if you lave lost some of your faith. Religion is a medicine that never dies faith in your own Higher Power will be there with the hope that you may lose when the depression hits. Hold on to your God or Gods and let them heal you with your own faith whether it be prayer, laying on of hands or just reading a Bible minor miracles occur everyday and when you can focus on a single idea there is little chance for a barrage of ideas to take control.

Think of a phrase or pep talk that you can use to control the negativism of the depression, any thoughts that can get you out of the bed when severely depressed can bring you up and help you face the day . Whether it is to a workplace or just to make it through the hours of the day without letting your depression take control.

Keep a schedule that you do every day If you have to leave the house at 7am to be at work by 9 am then take a little time to be at work 5 minutes earlier and settle into the day's work relaxed without rushing to jump into the tasks envolved, Try not to travel with the rush hour traffic leave the house earlier enough so that the task of getting to work is not more stressful than the work at hand.

Stay on top of your moods and they cannot take control of your life Living Bipolar is just that finding ways to live a quality life with Bipolar disorder.

Getting Better and Staying Well

About 6% of Americans suffer from Bipolar disorder that makes millions of people living with the disorder today. Many are living healthy, productive lives yet there are still many others who are not.In order to maximize you quality of life there steps that can be made for although not a cure, at the present time there is no cure, your life can improve and with treatment you can live with Biploar Disorder more comfortably.

Getting better and staying well takes work, there are basic techniques with a doctor and medication that can make living bipolar easier on yourself and the other people in your life.Bipolar disorder does notonly affect the person with it but family and friends as well and in severe cases is a burden on society dorectly and indirectly.

Acceptance is the first and most key role in healing When you confront and face an obstacle as with any illness the burden of facing a lifetime of treatment is easier to stick with and there are fewer setback such as being compliant with medication regimes and treatment and less chance of setbacks. Know and be informed about Bipolar disorder knowledge is power and can prevent future hospitalizations when you can recognize the symptoms and stop a moodswing from becoming out of control.

Try not to be a Drama Queen. Stress, although it does not cause Bipolar disorder it can be a trigger to an episode and can be prevented with stress relieving techniques. Psychotherapy plays a role in stress reduction. If you are finding yourself in a crisis situation often Talk therapy works as well as a pill. With Bipolar disorder you are in should be in charge of the illness as much as possible consult your doctor and therapist when you first feel the signs of symptoms. Learn when and what your triggers are and what you can do to help stop the episode from becoming fullblown.

Commit yourself to being Bipolar for life Living Bipolar is the step to a quality lifetime with as few upheaval of moodswings mania and depression by relentlessly taking charge of your medication routine. Making sure you have the best medication for you and the adequate dosage takes you a step further towards a better life. Regulate sleep and eating habits that are healthy and keep a routine that works for you. Keeping a daily journal can help you to foresee future moodswings and stop the severity of them and sometimes even the frequency. Keeping a mood chart of when you are depressed and when you are manic even hypomania can be beneficial. Build a support group of family friends and people who you confinde in and use them to help yourself. Other people can see signs of depression and mania often before you do yourself try to listen to others when they voice concern of your behavior or actions.

Know that mania and depression that is becoming out of control is best handled with the doctor find a doctor that you feel confident in and can talk to about anything and everything a good rapport with your treatment team is essential to healing and staying well.

Welcome to My World

Welcome to the real world of sanity unleashed on my world of unreality. Where the light of thoughts bombard my brain into releasing the energy of hyperlife into my tired body. The days of no rest become days and nights of unrest.

Happiness uncontrolled unceasingly persists until the truth is clouded by the unreality of the dreams or wishes of I a captive of violent moodswings.

The mania the deep brooding dark and hope for an end and the future attempts to do this attracts your heart so that it is a reality and you no longer exist. Crowd maddening emotions spurt until they reach a focal point and there is a cold slowly burning anger devastating and lethal.

The dire strands that link my mind with my emotional state at any given time are stretched thin in a tenous rope around my dreams of destruction.

The collapse of self respect when all is torn away and the universes of having in a hallutionatory existence if only for a short time. Then the pseudoreal is extreme and I am a servant of illogical dreams yet to be.

There are no Whys only Whats of can be or is. I ask God to respond to my fears for the tears of dancing not to descend to the melody of the pain from the funeral dirges. This horrendous journey hovers wherever, whenever , whatever. They chase to become a treadmill of this disorder. When the roads of truth and fantasy cross there is only one question that I can ask. Am I suppossed to feel what you feel or are you able to feel what I feel. Hello I am a Bipolar Manic Depressive Welcome to my world.

Bipolar Life

What am I going through at this moment? Do you ever feel this way?

What I feel, my thoughts running on a motor overdriven up and on the run, I feel the universal feelings intensified colliding and can not survive the impact. The head of the spitting cobra in my mind stings and becomes crisscrossed on thehighway of crossing delusions until the realness of my world is topsy-turvy. Sordid nonreal possession of what goes into it. The sanity of dark become the night star in my head that appears at times. When the falling showers of stars light up the background of the sky they make up the words that flow and are a symptom. They race and unleash the poets gift weaving beautiful patterns on a page.

What better way to feel. Welcome to it. What is there to be had when all that is all that has ever bee is.

I represent the Bipolar community who say worse or better there is only the reality in my mind that is all that is the matter when what matters is what is the matter with me.

Mood contemplation. The thoughts of an Old Head not yet of age. I am guilty of feeling good. A pain exquisite and deadly crying for blessed peace in a frightful world that has been created by my mind, Am I less or more of a person that is shown to others? Painful but happy to be me.

Rapid Cycler Bipolar Disorder

Rapid Cycler Bipolar Disorder

A rapid cycler has multiple episodes within week or days. It is most common in women and in the late stages of the disorder. It is fairly rare with only 10-20 percent of bipolar patients exhibiting this form of the disorder. It can be caused by substance abuse and antidepressant use and often with a thryoid disease. Mixed symptoms can be in either mania or depression and with psychosis such as delusions which are distorted beliefs, or hallucinations seeing, hearing or sensing things which are not there. Symptoms can occur together with high energy, depression and suicidial thoughts a mixed state. Treatment of this form of the disorder is more difficult each episode makes the following episode harder and more frequent.

The rapid changes in mood highs and lows with the swings of energy levels can be a source of conflicts. While mania is attractive and encouraging as your mania increases your behavior becomes more and more purposeless. Agiatated and driven behavior and lack of concern for others can lead others to believe you may hurt yourself or others. People become frustrated with the inactivity of depressed states and contribute to your feels of guilt and inadequacy by comments meaning well but often makes things worse. The increases in energy and activity thaat accompany manic moods may feel good, productice and purposeful but to others they may be seen as unrealistic and signs of an unstable illness.

The risks of untreated Bipolar Disorder are suicide alcohol or substance abuse in an effort to self medicate the sy mptoms. The substance abuse influence the mood and so the cycle continues.

Relationship and work disturbances occur rather than to try to deal with a person having unpredictable ups and downs the outcome is usually divorce and breakups of relationships.

Episodes at the workplace affect productivity and losing a job often the outcome of a prolonged episode. It can influence the ability to seek or maintain medical treatment.

Early treatment gives the opportunity for stable relationships and a productive work life and avoid being put on disability at an early age. The support of people you care about and being effective at work can help stabilize moods and reinforce all treatment.

Bipolar Disorder and Early Death

Is there a link between major depression and an increased risk for early death due togeneral medical illnesses.

In the past, premature deaths associated with bipolar illness were attributed to unnatural causes, such as suicide, homicide, and accidents. Recent studies are showing that this may account for only a portion of premature death in these individuals.

People with bipolar disorder tend to have manic phases and depressed phases in their lives. During mania, they might be too wound up to sleep, their thoughts might race, and they might have boundless energy. During depression, they might feel painfully sad, hopeless, and immobilized.

Having a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder increases the risk of developing physical illness from poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, substance abuse, and a lack of medical care.

Patients with a mental illness and a medical illness have more challenges managing their condition. Diabetes, for one requires a lot of selfcare, poor management can lead to more complications with the medical disorder leading to death.

Another factor to physical illness and early death in patients with bipolar disorder are the newer antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, which are now in widespread use.

Some new antipsychotic medications used to successfully treat bipolar disorders are safer and more comfortable for the patient in some ways than previous medications, but can cause weight gain leading to obesity and other metabolic changes that predispose people to Type 2 diabetes. Some mood stabilizers also cause weight gain and metabolic disorders.

These medications have fewer adverse effects than the older drugs, but they contribute to obesity and metabolic problems, diabetes, and heart disease,

Effective treatment of mental illness are bringing a new problem

Psychiatrists need to pay closer attention to patients' physical health. To effectively treat them for their mental-health problems but them to have them die prematurely from their medical diseases is becoming an epidemic.

Psychiatric staff are now hand with centers for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, and family-medicine practices. This is necessary because of the growing problems with the medical care of bipolar patients and the mentally ill in general.

New approaches to healthcare and wellness programs are being tested for preventing premature deaths associated with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.

Bipolar disorder appears to increase the risk for premature death due to medical illness, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, endocrine disorders, pulmonary disease.

Bipolar disorder is as big a risk factor for premature death as smoking.


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Bipolar Disorder and Early Death Bipolar Disorder and Early Death Is there a link between major depression and an increased risk for early death due togeneral medical illnesses. In the past, premature deaths associated with bipolar illness were attributed to unnatural causes, such as suicide, homicide, and accidents. Recent studies are showing that this may account for only a portion of premature death in these individuals. People with bipolar disorder tend to have manic phases and depressed phases in their lives. During mania, they might be too wound up to sleep, their thoughts might race, and they might have boundless energy. During depression, they might feel painfully sad, hopeless, and immobilized. Having a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder increases the risk of developing physical illness from poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, substance abuse, and a lack of medical care. Patients with a mental illness and a medical illness have more challenges managing their condition. Diabetes, for one requires a lot of selfcare, poor management can lead to more complications with the medical disorder leading to death. Another factor to physical illness and early death in patients with bipolar disorder are the newer antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, which are now in widespread use. Some new antipsychotic medications used to successfully treat bipolar disorders are safer and more comfortable for the patient in some ways than previous medications, but can cause weight gain leading to obesity and other metabolic changes that predispose people to Type 2 diabetes. Some mood stabilizers also cause weight gain and metabolic disorders. These medications have fewer adverse effects than the older drugs, but they contribute to obesity and metabolic problems, diabetes, and heart disease, Effective treatment of mental illness are bringing a new problem Psychiatrists need to pay closer attention to patients' physical health. To effectively treat them for their mental-health problems but them to have them die prematurely from their medical diseases is becoming an epidemic. Psychiatric staff are now hand with centers for diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, and family-medicine practices. This is necessary because of the growing problems with the medical care of bipolar patients and the mentally ill in general. New approaches to healthcare and wellness programs are being tested for preventing premature deaths associated with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses. Bipolar disorder appears to increase the risk for premature death due to medical illness, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, endocrine disorders, pulmonary disease. Bipolar disorder is as big a risk factor for premature death as smoking.

Side Effects of Medications for Bipolar Disorder

If you have bipolar disorder, you will probably need medicatiom. You will probably need to take medication for the rest of your life; since there is no cure for it.
Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness. Taking medication is just like taking medication for heart disease or any other serious physical.
Psychiatrists use a number of different classes  and typesof medications depending on the frequency and severity of the symptoms .  Treatment for bipolar mania may include lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines.
Maintenance therapy for bipolar disordeconsists of the right medication or combination of drugs along with psychotherpy for crisis intervention. Many people who have bipolar disorder keep taking these medications for years or decades.

Medication really is the most effective treatment available for bipolar disorder. Scientific studies an point to this. Unfortunately, the potential side effects of the medications sometimes make bipolar disoder episodes the better of the two. For some people the decision to take medication is easy to make. For others it can be very difficult. Side effects are the reason people with bipolar disorder stop taking their medications. Many people to give up on medications entoirely, the hospitals become a revolving door switching with the episodes they are having. Though it may take a long time, most people eventually do discover medications they can tolerate. The response to a medication can change with age most bipolars find themselves sympomtom free for longer periods with less severe symptoms over time. Someone with bipolar disorder may take multiple drugs at once, such as a combination of Lithium for bipolar mania and Lamictal for bipolar depression. Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol and Lamictal . . The three are anticonvulsant drugs that just happen to work well for bipolar disorder management, but they are all called mood stabilizers in terms of bipolar disorder use. Lithium, Depakote and Tegretol are antimanic drugs, while Lamictal is used for bipolar depression.

Mood stabilizers have variety of side effects, but they are the most effective antimanic drugs. Lithium is often prescribed first as it’s inexpensive and an excellent drug when it works. Common Lithium side effects include tremors, excessive thirst, memory loss and difficulty reading. Toxicity is common so monitoring Lithium blood levels is needed. The most common side effects of Depakote and Tegretol are weight gain, headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, eye problems and problems with equilibrium.

Possible Lamictal side effects include shortness of breath, neck problems, jerky body movements, itching and a skin rash. There are two kinds of potential rashes associated with Lamictal. One is benign. The other is very serious. Treatment must be stopped if the second one occurs. Lamcital does not cause weight gain and the side effects tend to get better over time.

Thorazine , Haldol and Trilifon are antipsychotic drugs.. These were effective but caused a lot of concerns due to the motor side effect called tardive dyskinesia. The newer antipsychotics are Clozaril , Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, and Abilify.

Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis, prevent mania and sometimes treat depression. Side effects include rapid weight gain, especially around the stomach, lethargy, restlessness , dulled senses, tremors, impaired thinking, slow speech, shuffling the feet, and concentration problems. The main concern with Clorazil, Zyprexa and Seroquel is that they can cause metabolic syndrome, a condition that relates to possible diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

While some of these potential side effects can be very strong, Many people eventually find the right anti psychotic with few side effects. They can return to the workfoce and live their lives relatively symptom free.

During a depressive episode you may need other medications. Lithium and other mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and are used to treat bipolar depression.

A mood-stabilizing medication works on improving mood, social interactions, and behavior. Mood stabilizers are effective in the treatment and prevention of bipolar mood states of alternating recurring episodes of depression and mania.

Bipolar patients with severe mania or mixed episodes are usually treated with an antipsychotic medication combined with either lithium or  the anticonvulsant Depakote..
Lithium is one of the oldest and cheapest mood-stabilizing mediations for bipolar disorder. Lithium is a natural salt.
Studies show that Lithium is effective in reducing symptoms and frequency of episodes for most bipolar patients.
While taking Lithium, you need to have regular blood levels of the drug monitored by your doctor, as the medication can be toxic in high doses.

Anticonvulsants are another treatment for those with bipolar disorder.  Anticonvulsants may be combined with lithium or with other anticonvulsants for those unresponsive to Lithium these may be used with better results.

Some commonly used anticonvulsants include Lamictal , Depakote, Tegretol , and Trileptal.

Some of the most popular antidepressants are Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin These drugs are extremely effective for depression treatment, but must be used with extreme caution in people with bipolar disorder, as they have a high risk of inducing mania. Antidepressants can lead to increased rapid cycling and severe mania in people with bipolar disorder, and should never be used alone. They can be used, however, in conjunction with with effective results in some people.antipsychotics. Common antidepressant side effects include agitation, weight loss or weight gain, headache, stomach upset, irritable bowel syndrome, sexual side effects, loss of appetite, leg-shaking, sleepiness, and oddly enough suicidal tendencies Anti anxiety drugs are such as Ativan , Klonopin, Xanax and Valium. Anti anxiety medications can be addictive and some doctors are wary about prescribing them but many people with bipolar disorder have anxiety and sleep problems, they should not be ruled out simply because there is a chance of addiction.

The Cause of Bipolar Disorder

The cause of bipolar disorder is not completely know. Genetic, neurochemical probably predispose thedisorder and environmental issues probably play a role in the progression of bipolar disorder. This seems to be a predominantly biological disorder in a specific part of the brain with a malfunction of the neurotransmitters in the brain.Neurotransmitters are the chemical part of the brain that controls thoughts and emotions. Since it is a biological disorder, it may be spontaneous or it may be triggered by stressors in life.

Reseachers are working to find the exact cause of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder usually runs in families. Studies show that as much as half the people with bipolar disorder have a family member with a mood disorder usually depression.

Having one parent, a fraternal twin increases the chance that a person will have bipolar disorder.

A person who has an paternal twin with bipolar disorder has an even greater risk of developing the illness than a fraternal twin.

Studies of where a child whose biological parent had the illness is raised by another family without bipolar disorder helped researchers learn more about the genetic causes causes.

Bipolar disorder is due to the dysfunction of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers)in the brain. These chemicals may are norepinephrine, serotin and many others. As a biological disorder, it may be triggered by external factors such as social circumstances or psychological stressors.

A life event may trigger a mood episode in a person with a genetic makeup for bipolar disorder.

Even without the specific genetic factors, changes in health habits, alcohol or drug abuse, or hormonal problems can trigger an episode.

Substance abuse is not considered a cause of bipolar disorder but it can worsen the recovery of the disorder. Use of alcohol or tranquilizers may induce more severe depressive phases.

Some medications like antidepressants can trigger a manic episode in people who are susceptible to bipolar disorder. Depressive episodes in some persons must be treated carefully when those people have had manic episodes. Because a depressive episode can turn into a manic episode when an antidepressant is taken, an antipsychotic drug is also used to prevent a manic episode. Protecting the person from antidepressant-induced mania.

Other medications can produce a symptoms that resembles mania. Appetite suppressants may trigger increased energy, decreased need for sleep and increased talkativeness. The difference is that after stopping the medication the person returns to his normal mood.

Illicit drugs such as cocaine, such as Ecstasy and amphetamines.

Excessive doses of over-the-counter drugs, including appetite suppressants and cold preparations.

Nonpsychiatric medications, such as medicine for thyroid problems excessive caffeine can mimic the appearance of mania .

If a person is has bipolar disorder, stress, frequent use of stimulants or alcohol, and lack of sleep may trigger the disorder. Certain medications also may set off a depressive or manic episode.

An imbalance in naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters plays a significant role in bipolar disorder and other mood disorders. Imbalanced hormones may be involved in causing or triggering bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a blood relative with the illness.

Stress, abuse, significant loss or other traumatic experiences can cause a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Reserchers are looking at hereditary as a cause of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is not passed from one generation to another genetically. There is a complex group of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Stress is a significant contributor to the development of bipolar disorder.

Psychotic Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar psychosis looks a lot like the symptoms of schizophrenia, causing misdiagnosis many times for patients with manic depression. Most bipolars will or have had a psychotic episode in their lives. Psychosis is usually temporary, but in some casas persists throughout the course of the illness. Bipolars can live their lives with psychotic episodes which is the case of Bipolar I disorder.

Clang is a symptom of psychosis. Linking words together based on similar sounds rather than meaning is a symptom of psychosis which is termed Clang association. This symptom occur in psychotic episodes in the manic phase of bipolar disorder, but can also occur in a depressive episode. The sentences or phrases used are rhyming, or punning.

There are other types of language changes that may be present with bipolar symptoms in addition to clang associations. Jumping from one idea to another seemingly without logical transition.Making up words that have no meaning to anyone but the speaker. Rarely repeating others’ words or phrases.

When a bipolar is becoming psychotic, you will notice that the language gets more rapid and less sensible and understandable as their mood becomes more elevated and the psychosis worsens. They may not be aware that they are not making sense. Untreated the y may become totally incoherent. Treatment for his bipolar symptoms is needed instead of trying to rationalize with them as their language is starting to fall apart.

Clang may be accompanied by other symptoms of psychosis, commonly there are hallucinations, paranoia , delusions, disordered thinking or speaking, being excessively responsive to stimulation Difficulty determining what is real and what is not, problems completing ordinary tasks, memory, concentration and clear thinking

Pressure of speech is a term used by doctors for speech that is rapid and a continuous flow that may be difficult or impossible to interrupt by the listener. It can be loud, emphatic, uninhibited, and continue even though no one is listening.

These speech abnomalities are often a result of Flight of ideas a term for the racing thoughts of bipolar patients. Flight of ideas is when nearly continuous flow of accelerated speech with abrupt changes from topic to topic that are usually based on understandable associations, distracting stimuli, or plays on words. When severe, speech may be disorganized and incoherent at the extreme it can seem to be unintelligible. These psychosis need to be treated with medications called antipsychotics. Confinment in a hospital is often necessary until the psychotic features lessen or are relieved.

Love to Hate Money

Love to hate money. One of the most common symptoms of bipolar disorder is impulsive and irrational spending. The amazing joy of the drive to spend money shows in a bipolars life in many ways

It may be wild shopping sprees. . It may be absurd investments when our bipolar grandiosity is telling us we can do no wrong. Manic grandiosity can tell us to lavish presents and gifts or cold hard cash at random to anyone.

Feeling lucky in love, the use of prostitutes, phone sex,internet dating is possible when you have the money. Gambling, for example on horse racing, Las Vegas trips, even hundreds of scratch off lottery tickets all become an outlet for the drive to spend.


How to curb the excessive squandering of money eludes most of us but there are ways to control some damage that it causes. Some ways in which you can keep yourself under control are trying to avoid internet use. Both online shopping and gambling, and sex related activities online chat rooms.

Give cash, credit cards and ATM cards to someone trustworthy for safekeeping if possible. Leave large amouts of cash credit cards locked away where they are not easily accessable. If you find it tottaly out of control cut up credit cards, debit cards until the episode lifts.

Find a way to divide finances keep small amounts of money in places where if the drive becomes too unbearable there is a little money to ease it. Sometimes spending 2.00 for a cup of coffee is enough to satisfy the drive.

 In extreme cases it may be necessary to arrange for money management through an organization where a certain amount is allotted for a week or a setup plan. A bipolar treatment contract with your doctor and a caregiver which centers around bipolar excessive spending. 

When a manic episode with excessive spending ends, our normal reasoning may return, but this return to reality often is followed by a serious depression. Waking up the morning after a manic episode and seeing the aftermath packages some not even taken out of bags. The credit card statements begin to come through, calls from the banks about overdrafts that are not remembered. All of this is a part of bipolar life. So you learn to love to hate money. With insight you can do get out of debt and start on the road of financial recovery again. The roller coaster ride never ends for some of us but that is part of learning to live bipolar.

Suicide and the Bipolar Patient

People with bipolar disorder type I and type II have different risk factors concerning the cours of the illness. The suicide risk factors for bipolar II are less severe than type I. Many bipolar II patients are diagnosed with severe depression because of the absemce of true manis. The hypomanic symptoms are harder to diagnose. Some psychiatrists say there is a higher suicide risk associated with patients who are bipolar type II.

When a person commits suicide without anyone expecting it, they are usually bipolar II patients. Even people close to the person may have thought that they were the happiest person in the world because of their hypomania. Suicidal behavior is different in each bipolar patient, but with bipolar II the symptoms are easier to control. Minimizing suicide attempts as well as suicidal thoughts can be treated with medications that may not be be used with other types of bipolr disoorders. Studies have shown that patients are at a higher risk of bipolar suicides when left untreated. Psychiatrists look for depressive symptoms, manic symptoms and/or psychotic symptoms in all bipolar patients. Many bipolar II patients have contemplated suicide and engage in suicidal thinking.

A severe depressive episode can cause suicidal thoughts. Racing thoughts that cause irritable mood in the patient repetive thoughts can brig about suicidal attempts. One may feel helpless and drowning in a sea of problems and the idea spurs thoughts of actually jumping off of a bridge, which is a common symptom of bipolar depression. Depending on how severe the depression episode the person is experiencing the thoughts of suicide can range from jumping in front of a car to throwing themselves in front of a train. Hospitalization for treatment with antipsychotics are often needed to protect the person from death.

Alcohol or illegal drugs can be a factor in bipolar suicides. Substance abuse only multiplies the risk of suicide. Every individual experiences many differences in symptoms, which require different therapy in order to stabilize the patient. Many bipolar patients will engage in substance abuse with prescription or legal drugs, many times causing symptoms of psychosis, with delusions and hallucinations in the patient.

Even with new treatments, medications and research into the why bipolars attempt suicide the risk of actually completing the act bipolars are still at risk for suicide. Often therapy can eliminate the attempts teaching the patient to become more aware of the symptoms. Doctors are looking at diagnosing bipolar disorder more often and the chances of misdiagnosing has lessened. The key to the problem is early intervention and treatment even when the patient is not willing to receive treatment.

Looking for early warning signs from the person who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder can help lower the risks of suicide dramatically.

Taking Control of Bipolar Disorder

You can take control of your illness. A lifestyle that can help make coping with bipolar disorder easier. Designing strategies in day by day living with the episodes of your illness. Structuring your life to be as symptom free as possible can be done with the following practices:

Monitor your symptoms and knowing when they start helps to control them. Keeping a daily journal of events in your life that can trigger an episode helps to stop them from becoming major.
Talk honestly with your doctor about any symptoms or side effects you may be experiencing. .
Create a support group people to share your thoughts, and questions with who are living with Bipolar Disorder .
Avoid alcohol and drugs that can have dangerous interactions with your medicines. Ask your Doctor before taking any other medications even natural substances.. Make sure that any food, over the counter medicines, or herbal supplements you plan to take won’t have a harmful interaction with your treatment.
Watch your diet, you can help yourself feel better by keeping well balanced eating habits.
Try to develop a sleeping pattern, symptoms worsen with haphazared sleeping. If you are sleeping much more than normal, or if you are unable or unwilling to sleep, an episode may be beginning.
Discover what stressors can bring about an episode and always try your best to reduce it. Call your doctor if your emotions threaten to become uncontrollable.
Exercise as much as possible routine exercise is both physicallly and emotionally helpful in relieving stress and releasing pent up energy.
Schedule your day add structure in your life. Balance your time with daily hobbies, activities and relaxation

No matter what medicine your doctor has prescribed for you, motivation will help you take it the way you should.

Take control of your Bipolar Disorder dont let it take control of you.

Therapy and Bipolar Disorder

 

It has become clear that the benefits of cognitive therapy rests on the therapeutic relationship. The therapist has to respect the patients’ preferences and needs, even if they disagree as a trained professional. Patients, with a trust in the therapist, even when what is discussed is not what the patient wants to hear. The patient must feel comfortable telling therapists when symptoms are surfacing, and therapists must be honest when the warning signs are ignored by the patient putting them at risk of a relapse.

Effective treatment of bipolars requires a long term commitment. The therapists’ is to not only help a person overcome the symptoms of the illness and recover from the episode but also to prepare for its inevitable return. Visits include skills that are taught and reducing the symptoms. As progress is made and once the patient is stable, therapy can be reduced as the patient learns and uses the skills for bipolar living. A return of symptoms, stressful events, may indicate crisis visits. When and if therapy resumes, the therapist can help the patient pick up where they stopped. Encouraging their patients to call in when things are going well or when they have good news keeps the relationship solid. This feedback reinforces the patients trust in the therapist that they are a person not just as a disorder. This can be important when the patient is having difficulties with treatment or control of symptoms.

Psychotherapy is a stabilizing device in the lives of patients. Therapy visits are a structure utilizing time, for seeing progress, and for achieving goals helping the patient feel good about their accomplishments. Regularly scheduled sessions reporting on their progress between sessions provide opportunities for patients to take control and increasing the chance that they will complete the plans made in therapy. Most people who are not involved in psychotherapy do not regularly take the time to monitor their feelings and actions, or make time to confront personal problems and set goals for improvement.

Cognitive and affective symptoms roles in the the therapy process are important. When concentration is poor or the person is easily distracted, it is difficult to accomplish a lot in a session. If the person’s outlook is colored by depression, efforts at reviving hope must be addresses and other issues have to put aside. Mania can change a session with cognitive changes. Increased optimism especially if it comes after a depressive episode. This enthusiasm can be for the therapist who wants the patient to feel better and achieve his or her goals be overlooked as a symptom.

Cognitive therapy is a skills-oriented form of psychotherapy. Therapists use tools for helping patients to manage their moods, restructure their thinking, and cope with their problems. The people treated have managed to get along before therapy came along. They possess some skills and have learned from their experiences , they are competent, able to solve problems, and smart enough to know when to ask for help.

People who are distressed probably coped better with life at times with existing coping skills, bipolars are no different. The goal of psychotherapy is to help the patient pick up the pieces that are a result of the disorder. Once that is accomplished then the work of using daily coping skills are learned and used in leading to recovery and day by day bipolar life.

Bipolar Disorder A Way of Life

According to a study in 2002, bipolar the mortality rates from suicide, heart problems, aare higher in bipolars than those in the general population. But in those treated there was a dramatc improvement in survival rates, even suicide and heart disease.
The risk for suicide is very high in bipolars and those who are left untreated. The suicide rate for bipolar disorder I patients is high and have risks being highest during episodes of mixed mania, depression and mania. However, the risk for suicide in bipolar disorder II patients is even higher than it is for those with bipolar disorder I or major depressive disorder. Patients whith anxiety disorders, have greater risk for suicide. Rapid cyclers, a more severe bipolar disorder type, does not increase the suicide rates.
Patients with bipolar disorder may have problems with short- and long-term memory. They tend to be more severe when a person has more manic episodes. Medications may be responsible for some of these difficulties. These mental difficulties may make it harder for these patients to comply with medications or to participate in psychotherapies. Manic patients are easily distrated which increases the problem.
Some bipolar patients show heightened productivity or creativity during manic phases. However when the mania is severe, the distorted thinking and impaired judgment that are characteristic of manic episodes can lead to dangerous behavior, including spending money, causing financial ruin in some cases. angry, paranoid, and even violent behaviors and nortorious promiscuous behavior. These behaviors are followed by low self-esteem and guilt during the depressed phases.
Ssmoking is prevalent among bipolar patients who have frequent or severe psychotic symptoms most commonly they are heavy smokera. Nicotine use may be a form of self-medication because of its calming effect it is a release of pent up energy. In some point of their lives patients with bipolar disorder abuse other substances most commonly alcohol, followed by marijuana or cocaine the statiscs are high. The risks for alcoholism and substance abuse in bipolar patients experiencing mixed-state episodes rather than ones of pure mania. Some studies show it is more common in men than women.
Bipolar disorder is the chemical imbalances in the brain and classic psychotherapy has not been effective for these patients. Some techniques are proving to be helpful. And with the psychological support of trained mental health professionals is beneficial to the of the problems that occur with the disorder Therapits can educate patients about the disorder and its treatments and help them comply with drug compliance. They can monitor the patient's status and detect early symptoms in manic and depressive episodes to reduce the severity of the attacks. Therapists can help patients cope with feelings of guilt and remorse that occur in response to their actions during mania. And a ptofessional can assist in helping patients deal with feelings of imperfection and despair feelings common in depression.
Therapists trained in cognitive therapy may be beneficial for many patients. This method aims to help a patient recognize negative thoughts and behavioral patterns and try to change them. It is known to be helpful for depression and anxiety Patients learn how to recognize manic episodes before they become full-blown and to change behaviors during an episode. Ways to endure depression by developing behaviors and thoughts that may help lift the negative mood.
One method for helping the patient to predict or recognize an impending episode is done using a graph and diary that records the effect of the patient's mental state of energy with physical activity Also using a diary, the patient describes each day, the mood, and its effect on physical activities. The patient also describes any significant emotional or physical events. After several months, the therapist and patient may be able to detect a pattern and possibly identify triggers of bipolar disorder episodes. The information helps the patients to make adjustments that might reduce the severity of mood swings. For example, if a predictor for either manic or depressive episodes is insomnia, the doctor can advise sleep inducing techniques or prescribe medications that might reduce the severity of the emerging mania.
Exercise is an important part of treatment, particularly for those susceptical weight gain a typical side effect of medications for treatment. It also helps increase feelings of well-being. Sleep management is of special importance for bipolar patients.
A healthy diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables is important . Bipolars should be sure to maintain a regular healthy diet. They may need to restrict calories if they are on medications that increase weight.

Bipolar Rage

Do you know someone or do you have occasional outbursts of temper at times shock and surprise you? Are there times when you wonder where all of this sudden rage comes from, when you have a happy home? Is your life one that you would describe as happy, if only it wasn't interrupted by recurring bouts of irritability and anger over trivial things?

People can and often do become overwhelmed by negative emotions that they're unable to handle it is possible that it may be occuring from bipolar disorder – and that is the cause of these eruptions

Bipolar disorder is a cycle of moods and emotional distruptions. When a person with bipolar disorder is haveing an episode, they can be very reactive and more easily provoked into sudden outbursts of anger. Irritability and anger is one of the usual symptoms of bipolar episodes in mania or depression. What may seem like an abnormally explosive reaction to you may be something that the person with bipolar disorder in an episode may not be aware of being out of the ordinary or is not consciesious of how they are reacting.

Everyone gets annoyed at times. But when having an episode a bipolar can be more volatile and unable to control their anger as easily.

Bipolar disorder can be hard to recognize when it has gone undiagnose Only a qualified professional can make that diagnosis, and many people simply cannot handle their tempers. Outbursts of anger alone cannot be used to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, symptoms have to be present. There are other psychiatric disorders which have symptoms of angry outbursts, such as major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, cyclothymic disorder, mood disorder caused by a substance abuse.
　
People suffering from bipolar disorder may have violent mood swings and displays of temper. Outbursts that are out of control for a normal person are thought by a person who suffers from this mental disorde to be normal behavior at times. In a violent episode bipolar sufferers continue this pattern of mood swings and violence which left unchecked can lead to incarceration.
Teenagers are difficult to diagnose with a mental disorder. The hormones, and their bodies are changing. Teenagers are naturally angry and when they display anger and tension, it is difficult to tell if they are just being a teenager or having a manic episode.
Easily provoked and erupting at any given moment if left undiagnosed and unmedicated, the bipolar sufferer displays irritability as well as the inability to handle negative situations in his life. A bipolar reacts with inappriate anger.
With treatment The right medications, therapy to recognize triggers that cause the episodes which drive the anger bipolars can recover and learn to understand their rage.

Double Trouble

The struggles and challenges of bipolars are many. This mood disorder has complications and setbacks before stability is achieved. One of the biggest issue is often substance abuse. Substance abuse and bipolar disorder and is more likely to coexist with bipolar illness than with any other mental illnesses. Alcoholics and cocaine are common for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Dual Diagnosis co existing with bipolars is so common that doctors look for it and expect to find it.
Self-medication has become a way in which some individuals may abuse substances in attempting to use them to relieve other problems such as anxiety, pain, sleeplessness or other symptoms of bipolar disorder.
This is a very serious issue. Why do those with bipolar disorder turn to alcohol or street drugs?
It seems that these individuals have a difficulty with bipolar disorder and they are more likely to try a drug in the first place. The drug use is a short-term release from symptoms of mania or depression and begins the cycle of substance abuse. Self-medicating treats the symptoms, not the illness. The more they use a substance other than doctor supervised medication the worse their symptoms become and they often find themselves is a situation of having worse symptoms which are very difficult to control.
For those with a dual diagnosis, double trouble, the challenges to treatment can be that the disorder is more resistant to treatment. Intoxication and withdrawal symptoms can mimic affective disorders.

Psychotherapy and Bipolar Disorder

Psychotherapyused with a medication treatment plan for mental health issues sometimes proves to be beneficial for Bipolars. There are many techniques of psychotherapy like relationship building, simple dialogue, learning communication and behaviors that work to improve bipolar living and help them to deal with relationships.
Spoken conversation is the most popular psychotherapy. But some also use written, therapeutic touch, art, and other nonverbal communicatiom. Psychotherapy is between a trained therapist and one or more patients. There are specialized psychotherapy techniques for bipolar disorder. Their benefit is increased when used in with medications.
One type of psychotherapy is where the psychologist meets with the patient regularly over a certain period. During sessions the discussions are the patient’s personal experience as well as signs of manic and depressive episodes in the past and any events leading up to them. This can be warning signs should these symptoms reappear. The patient can keep a journal on the disorder, if symptoms appear regularly. This form of psychotherapy is very effective for understanding the triggers and symptoms of bipolar disorder and helps in educating the patient about the disorder.
Psychoeducation is educating a person with goals of treatment and rehabilitation. learning about their problem, how to treat it and how to recognize signs of relapse so they can seek treatment before heir problem worsens or recurs. The goal is teaching Bipolar disorder basics, triggering factors, symptoms of onset , forms of treatment, risks associated with treatment
This helps the patient understand the disorder and helps them avoid things or situations which may aggravate it.
Cognitive therapy works on the distorted thoughts and stimuli that can cause emotional stres, which is believed to cause episodes. This type of therapy has been researched and is known to be an effective in bipolar disorder treatment. It is effective in patients who experience disruptive negative thoughts. The patient recognizes thought distortions and techniques for correcting them.
The treatment aims at helping the patient to deal with the thoughts that cause the patient stress and lead to relapses. The patient and therapist concentrate on the negative thoughts, disruptive assumptions and stressful inferences. The patient learns check their thoughts and recognize the reality of the situation.
Another treatment which stresses maintaining a day to day schedule and stability in personal relationships. Social Rhythm is believes that disruptions in daily routines and problems in interpersonal relationships can cause a recurrence of the manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder.
Patients understand how social relationships and roles are affected by their routines and that their moods can be affected by changes in these routines. The therapist helps the patiet see what changes cause relapses and teaches the patient how to manage stressful events and maintain positive relationships.
Family Focused Therapy focuses on family and relationships and how they contribute to changes in bipolar disorder. This treatment is used to identify problems and conflicts in the family circle that contribute to stress and problems in the family that occur because of the illness. They teach the family how to resolve them. All family members learn about the illness, treatment and support resources.
　

Coping With Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar problems will vary from person to person and the type of episode, a depressive episode may make getting out of bed in the morning and going to work difficult. The inability to function day to day is very likely to make them unemployable.
A manic episode or a depressive one can last anywhere from several hours to several months in some cases years. These variations in moods can be serious enough to affect a person’s routine. A depressive episode can make a bipolar incapable of
Another cause of bipolar problems is impulsivity. During a manic episode, the person feels like they are on top of the world and can do anything. It is common for a person s to take actions in this state that they will later regret. Bipolars are known have to run through credit cards and create huge bills or quit jobs during a manic episode. Sometimes people are sexually indiscriminate because heightened libido during an episode and may end up with sexually transmitted diseases.
A manic episode does not only bring about bipolar problems. Some people during a manic episode can be extremely productive or creative. They have a positive attitude and enthusiam to solve problems as they arise.
There are no medical tests available that can say that a person is suffering from this condition. This makes it very difficult for doctors to make a diagnosis based on symptoms a patient is suffering. And there is the problem of actually recognizing the symptoms. The time lapse between manic and depressive episodes can make it difficult to put them together for a diagnosis. A person in a depressive episode can be confused to be suffering from a severe case of depression.
There is some good news. A bipolar individual can solve all of their bipolar problems with the right doctor and the right treatment. With new research studies being done there are new medications to treat Bipolar disorder.
If you feel you are bipolar or have a friend or relative who is bipolar seek out help as soon as possible. For most people there is no reason for bipolar problems if the patient follows the prescribed treatment. Life can be qualitive and sane even with a mental disorder.

Bipolar Living

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, thinking and mood with depressive episodes. The elevated moods are called mania or hypomania. Individuals may experience also a mixed state in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These moods are usually separated by periods of normal moods; but, sometimes, depression and mania may rapidly cycle, which is known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms as hallucinations and delusions. The disorder includes bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymia, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced.
Studies show that the condition is lifetime. full symptoms usually begin in late adolescence or young adulthood. Episodes can be associated with distress and disruption and a risk of suicide, especially during depressive episodes. In some cases, it can be a devastating long-lasting disorder. It has also been associated with creativity, goal striving, and positive achievements. There is evidence to say that many people with creative talents have also suffered from some form of bipolar disorder. Often creativity and bipolar disorder are linked.
Genetics contribute to the developing of bipolar disorder, and environmental factors are also aggravate the condition. Bipolar disorder is often treated with psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy is helpful often when there has been some recovery of the subject's stability. In serious cases, in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others, the person has to be committed to a psychiatric hospital. These cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behavior or depressive episodes with suicidal thoughts. There are widespread problems with being Bipolar. People with bipolar disorder exhibiting psychotic symptoms can sometimes be misdiagnosed as having schizophrenia a serious mental illness
The experiences and behaviors involved in bipolar disorder are often not understood by individuals. Treatment is somtimes not accepted even though there is increased public awareness of the condition.
Individuals are commonly misdiagnosed. An individual may appear simply depressed when they are seen by a medical professional. This can result in misdiagnosis of Depressive disorder (Unipolar).
The bipolar disorder diagnosis is used technically with anyone with a history hypomania and depression no matter what their current or future functioning .
For many individuals with bipolar disorder a good prognosis results from good treatment. Because bipolar disorder be often misdiagnosed, it is often difficult for individuals with the condition to receive competent treatment.
Bipolar disorder can be a severly crippling mental condition. But, most individuals with bipolar disorder can live full and satisfying lives. Medication is often needed to enable this. Persons with bipolar disorder may have periods of normal or near normal functioning between episodes.
Prognosis depends the right medicines and dosage, a competent medical doctor and therapist; and good physical health, which includes exercise, nutrition, and a low stress level. Other factors that lead to a good prognosis, is having insight and recognizing any change from the norm such as sleep patterns, energy levels, and thinking habits..