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Bipolar isn't simple; there can be many sets of symptoms
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Bipolar affective disorder is a disorder of mood that involves a depressive phase and a nondepressed or manic phase. Bipolar means literally two opposite poles, thus explaining the meaning of the word. It isn't quite that simple, though. People can experience the nondepressed or manic phase in more than one way. The mood during the manic phase can be euphoric or irritable or even a combination of the two. Furthermore, people can experience a "mixed episode" and can have both depressive and manic symptoms during the same episode of illness.
The specific set of symptoms is important as some medications, such as Lamictal, are better for a mixed bipolar episode. Medications used to treat bipolar (mood stabilizers) are different than moods used to treat depression.
The manic phase is characterized by elevated or irritable mood plus 3 to 4 of the following symptoms happening during the same time period (at least one week continuously):
- Decreased need for sleep (feeling refreshed on little sleep)
- Decreased appetite
- Grandiosity (inflated sense of self worth)
- Distractibility
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (buying sprees, sexual indiscretion, foolish business ventures)
- Flight of ideas (talking and thinking that jumps from one topic to another-racing thoughts)
- Increase in activities involving school, work or social life
- Agitation
The person may also experience psychosis, which means being out of touch with reality. The manic phase is a change in previous life functioning that is not caused by drugs or alcohol. The manic phase alternates with a depressive phase.
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a self-screening tool that can be used in conjunction with a visit to a mental health provider. Mood swings alone do not mean you have bipolar. Borderline personality symptoms can look like bipolar and other mental illness, too. Time and accurate information help to make the correct diagnosis and provide the best treatment.
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As for the child in the post by "Quantum", I can't help but ask myself if this was a misdiagnosis. Not saying Quantum didn't do those things and the child got better, please understand I don't intend to post a slam or debate. But I do know my own father has been diagnosed finally with bipolar disorder with manic episodes. The symptoms are there and have been for a long time. He is old-school, so to speak, and if his doctors diagnosed him with this prior to this most recent delusional, psychotic episode then he never told us, probably out of pride and his misunderstanding of mental illness as a disease, not a sympathy call. But if he had understood and accepted some things sooner, maybe he would of taken treatment earlier and would not have ended up being institutionalized. But as for family members of those with this disease, my sympathy IS there for you, whether that is why you posted on here or not. My siblings and I are having to cope with our feelings, thoughts and emotions about our 70+ year old father (who has always made proper decisions, never held anyone but himself accountable for his actions and by no means ever took the easy way out)and his new diagnosis. Not just a diagnosis, but finally an answer to what he has been going through for DECADES.
P.S. One thing I found extraordinarily helpful when things were at their worst...I wrote. Constantly. I sat at my computer and typed and typed. Anything that flitted across my racing brain. Later - when I had stabilized and started to doubt my diagnosis...I read what I wrote.I wasn't suicidal...or in any legal trouble...but I was tormented by a brain that would not slow down. Reading my own words about my fear, words typewritten because only my fingers on a keyboard could remotely keep pace with my thoughts...the realization slammed me against my wall of doubt. I said to myself,"I don't want to go there ever again - and I will do all that I can to manage this so that I don't." From that point I quit spending energy on doubt and started spending my time on educating myself from reputable sources (like mayo.com). Beware any information that isn't properly accredited - you are too important to gamble your well-being with pseudo-science, hucksters trying to push unproven remedies and wishful thinking. Treat it like the serious illness it is...and you just may find the fun in life and peace of mind again. My hypomanic typing-fest saved me from risking my hard earned stability.I take my meds, I walk a lot (exercise -which I hate) is good for depression symptoms. Just 15 minutes a day is proven to help. I go to a therapist to sort out issues so that I minimize stress in all areas of my life. My p*doc believes that high levels of stress combined with my starting an antidepr
I was diagnosed as bi-polar almost 3 yrs ago. After years of being treated for depression and anxiety, I had an unexpected run in with racing thoughts, sleeplessness, extreme irritability, and no appetite punctuated by restlessness. I could barely sit still and couldn't focus on anything. I was terrified. After talking with my pschiatrist and having my diagnosis changed to bipolar 2 - I was devestated and scared to death. Was I going to be one of those people you read about in the papers whose horrible acts are followed by "doctors have diagnosed her as bipolar". So far, I am a lucky one. I read everything I could find on bipolar and the drug I was prescribed. I became very disciplined about my habits and learned to express my needs.I have a great p* doc, and an amazing therapist and take my meds without fail. I have incredible support from my family and friends and I am not shy about confiding in them about having bipolar. It is not a character defect...it is an illness. Many bipolar people have great relationships, work and enjoy life - I want to everyone to see it is manageable...and have hope. It is possible to live well - don't give up.
I have 4 Bipolar people in my life. My biological father, both brothers and now my teenage daughter. I am very disturbed by Quatums post. You have alot of anger instead of sympothy. Yes a good diet is very important. If you ask anyone with Bipolar if they want this illness and want to take medication they would give them up in a heart beat. I know how tramatic this illness is, I have cared for family members long term due to this illness. A person can be going along in life happy and then it jumps out of no where and attacks you. Bipolar takes away the people you love so much, it changes them. Anger, depression, suicidal tendencies, not able to concentrate long enough to do school,risky behavior, low self worth, spending sprees that are uncontrollable, unable to manage money or anything, cant remember if they took their meds. Even when you think you have beaten the odds and had 10 amazing months of normalacy, over night this illness takes over again, only to start the cycle all over. My 16 year old daughter is what Drs. refer to as a rapid cycler, prior to the 10 months of normalacy, my daughter cycled every 6 weeks, from mania to depression. This illness is not a "crock disorder" Some parents dont have the tools or desire to parent good. Some people are mis diagnosed. Doctors usually do not even want to say the words bipolar because it attaches a stigmata to people. Hoping you will find peace in your life and not so much anger. sincerely, Living4him
i would like to comment on a comment listed, oct. 6th, take my comment for what it's worth. i've been married to a man just like the friend you describe. my husband and i have been married for 28 yrs. i thought i had lost my mind and my idenity. after much therapy and different diagnostic testing...i found a therapist who realized the problem wasn't me, the problem was my husband has what is known as a sociopath! 1 in 25 ordinary americans secretly has no conscience and can do anything at all without feeling guilty. their charm know's no bounds. seek a professional ie. to his or her behavior. i was shocked to learn a sociopath doesn't fit the mold i thought they did. read martha stout's book "the sociopath next door". you might recognize your friend!
We have several bipolar/ manic depressants , alcoholics in our family
3 have no concept of money, do not work.
Are these also syptoms of disease and is there any help?
This is a crock "disorder"! There is no such thing as bipolar. The problem is a poor diet and bad parenting. Of course your brain chemistry will change if you are not receiving proper nutrition and you have unresolved issues. I think people like having this label to justify their actions and to get sympathetic attention from others.
My friend's daughter (age 6 at the time) was diagnosed with this crock of crap. I insisted she take her to see a non drug prescribing psychiatrist. He immediately put her on a proper diet. She was formerly being fed fast food, soda, boxed crap and various other lazy mom foods. In a matter of 7 days she was a completely different child. The change in diet wasn't the only issue, my friend was (is) a horrible parent. She paid very little attention to her child and was physically and mentally abusive. This friend was lazy and so it was up to me to provide her child with nutritious meals and emotional support. Her daughter improved under my care, but alas I had to dissolve this friendship as it was becoming detrimental to my own health.
So, to all of you out there who has this crap disorder -
*You are nutritionally deprived and too lazy to change your diet
*Would rather take the easy way and pop pills instead
*Use it as a excuse to behave as you wish without accountability
*Want sympathetic attention because you can't get any other way.
Concerned....Is it normal for a person who says they have bipolar type 2 disorder to have literally a sac of medications on them (about 20 in a cosmetic bag), obsessing about having cmv, chronic fatigue syndrome Epstein Barr virus, liver failure, etc... other unusual behavior include: secretively, raiding a fridge at 3 am and eating 2-3 tubs of ice cream a day, and staying up till 4 am, taking her medications when no one is around or not at all, maybe having about 4-5 different herbal supplements, eating applesauce yogurt and that's about it....random outbursts of energy then feeling not well all of a sudden, and no understanding of common manners ... this is a family member of mine. And I am concerned about their well being and that they are not being treated for their condition. I am not sure how to deal with this person and her son every time I confront him about his moms behavior he doesn't want to talk about it, like he is in denial about his mothers condition. She seems to lack simple commonsense. I do know in the past she has been in a mental ward and treated with Electro Shock therapy. Any suggestions. She lives in the middle of no where... and am worried she isn't taking any steps to get better...
I read about the symptoms of depression and rarely do I read anything about the pain it causes. Sure, loss of appetite, mood changes etc are relevant but why is nothing said about the pain that is so overwhelming and cuts through the very fabric of my existence. Suicide is sometimes precipitated by the inability to cope anymore with the unbearable pain. I am not referring to someone with a pathological pain that exacerbates the state of depression, I am referring to the pain caused by depression itself. Am I alone in this experience or do I have something else besides depression? Yes, I do isolate myself from the world as I seem to be easily stressed which makes matters worse. I was a very prominent lawyer and one morning after many years of practice I just woke up with a total indifference toward my work or even my hygiene. That has been a number of years ago and I am still the same. My existence seems to be counter productive to what we usually view as a life. My children don't come around anymore, and they have the perception that I am simply lazy. I don't always feel this way an this is just one of those days, but for me the state of depression can be unbearable. My question has to do with this particular symptom, excruciating pain , is that part of the disease or something else? Bobby
A forensic hospital may be an ideal option for your son. We are sorry to hear your son is having so much trouble.
Unfortunately, it is very common for people to stop their medications.
ECT can be used for mania as well as depression. I don't know if your son is a candidate for this treatment. This will not cure the bipolar, but can treat the mania. He will need to be on medications indefinitely, so continue to work with his providers on finding a medication he will take. Make sure to tell your son to speak up if he has unpleasant side effects.
Take care.
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