Understanding Bipolar Disorder

When you watch television you see the commercials, everyone knows someone who knows someone who has it, but what is bipolar disorder? What causes it? What are the symptoms? How do you know if you have it?

This guide is designed to give you a quick synopsis of what bipolar disorder is and how you can get help for yourself or a friend.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

- Severe mood swings ranging from happy to sad, neutral, manic and depressed.

- Mood swings are dramatic and often seem unjustified.

- Skewed memory

Manic symptoms

- extreme happiness, euphoric, everything is wonderful and beautiful

- colors are brighter, smells are richer, tastes are stronger

- light feeling as if one could fly

- decreased sleep and eating

- increased physical and mental activity

- hypersexual

- irritable (usually when contradicted)

Depression symptoms

- fearful of everything and everyone

- extremely sad

- feel that the world is a horrible place

- little to no physical activity

- unjustified crying

- unexplainable joint and muscle pain

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

At this moment doctors and scientists have not found any one cause of bipolar disorder. The facts lead to a variety of factors such as lifestyle, stress, genetics, and hormones. Many believe that the only true cause is a genetic factor that influences an individual's brain chemistry. However, factors such as lifestyle, stress and hormones do play a major role in the progression of the disease.

It is believed that many individuals carry the gene that may cause bipolar disorder, but it remains dormant because the lifestyle choices of the individual have kept the brain from awakening the disease.

Do You Have Bipolar Disorder?

Only a medical professional can diagnose you as having bipolar disorder, but you can do a little research on your own to determine if you have some of the signs and symptoms of the disease.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has questionnaires on their website that can help you find out if you show signs of bipolar, depression, mania or anxiety. These questionnaires are a useful tool not only for your self-education, but also for your doctor. It is suggested that if you have 50% of the symptoms to print the questionnaire with your answers on it and take it to your doctor.

Where to go for Bipolar Disorder Help

Find a doctor and psychiatrist in your town that specializes in bipolar disorder and make an appointment. Remember to bring your completed questionnaire with you as well as any questions you may have.

It is also a good idea to talk to a close friend or family member and have them join you to your first appointment, especially if it is someone who noted that you may have a problem. They will be able to tell your doctor about what they have seen which maybe slightly different than what you realize.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

In most cases bipolar disorder is treated with a combination of medication and talk therapy. Most successful treatment plans include a monthly visit with a therapist and at least bi-yearly appointments with your doctor.

Another exceptional method of treatment is support groups. Many cities and towns have local groups you can attend or there are also online support groups (listed below).

Just know that even though there is not currently a cure for bipolar disorder, recovery is possible. Through treatment and determination an individual can live a normal life.

Resources:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

Offers online support groups for Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Friends and Family of Bipolar and Depression.

Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)

Online support groups for children, adolescents, and their families.

Bipolar Significant Others (BPSO)

Online support groups for those diagnosed with Bipolar Depression and their significant others.

The DBSA, CABF and BPSO mentioned above also have library sections with educational, advocacy and where to find help information.