Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder is "an affective disorder that is characterized by at least one episode of mania formerly referred to as manic depression" (Ingram 723). It affects one percent of people throughout the world and knows no ethnic or status boundaries. In the United States, it is estimated that over two million people suffer from this incurable but treatable disorder. Bipolar disorder usually begins to show itself in males in their early twenties. Women however, typically may not exhibit any signs or symptoms until they reach their mid to upper thirties. Bipolar Disorder is characterized by stages of mania and depression. Both the manic phase and the depressive phase are extreme and often disabling. They do not occur in equal amounts, but are very unpredictable and of varying length. They can also occur at the same time. When this happens, it is called mixed states. "Usually the earlier in life bipolar disorder appears, the more difficult will be its lifetime course unless there is active treatment over many years to minimize the risk of recurrence" (Francis 61). People without bipolar disorder may think hypomania sounds like fun after hearing that it causes a euphoric or high feeling. Actually there is more to it th
Francis, Allen and First, Michael A Layman's Guide to the Psychiatrists Bible. New York: Scribner Publishing, 1998 Friedman, Howard S. Encyclopedia of Mental Health Volume I. (features Rick Ingram and Christine Scher) Academic Press, 1998 FyrenIce (http://users.wantree.com.au:8080/~fractal), Ikelman, Joy Ikelman's Info on Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) (http://www.frii.com/~parrot/bip.html) NARSAD Research Newsletter Spring 1998, Great Neck, NY NARSAD Research Newsletter Spring 1997, Great Neck, NY an that. Some of the other symptoms associated with the manic episodes are high irritability, poor judgmental skills, and racing thoughts. Others are inability to concentrate, pressured speech, grandiose ideas, and inability to sleep. Some other reported symptoms are an increased sex drive and being easily distracted. "When mania strikes, the bipolar person often exhibits full flights of fancy, you will notice a pre-emptive ability to argue aggressively and passionately for an intellectual position" (FyrenIyce). During this time the bipolar, will accomplish a lot of work with little or no sleep. They become impatient when they think others are moving too slowly and will have illusions of "conquering the world". They may be "prone to overgenerous behaviors, such as taking and paying for unexpected trips with friends and acquaintances; spending huge amounts of money on credit cards and in general being a bit of a challenge for the slower-moving folk of the world" (FyrenIce). "In its extreme form, mania may manifest itself as psychoses, complete with dissociative behaviors and a crippling inability to distinguish the real world from the one induced by the illness" (FyrenIce). Individuals in a manic phase lose friends, money, jobs, and may also wind up in the hospital. Child abuse, excessive debt, and divorce are also common. The effects can be devastating on family and friends, as the afflicted often has no idea anything is wrong. They may also become physically aggressive, becoming a danger to themselves and to others. Hospitalization is often necessary to keep the patient in a stable environment until the intensity of the phase begins to dwindle. "Under no circumstances should one attempt to care for a person in an extreme state without the aid of a trained physician and hospitalization" (FyrenIce). The depression phase is most distinguished by a sad, anxious, or empty mood. During the depressive phase a person may experience lack of appetite, inability to sleep or excessive sleeping, suicidal thoughts, difficulty in decision-making, and extremely low self-esteem. They may also feel lethargic and weak and have a loss in interest of previously enjoyed activities. Some report feeling more creative during this sta
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