Bipolar disorder

Bipolar DisorderMary Lou Guenther

The Mood Swings

• Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of depression and mania

• Usually, victims experience much more of the depression rather than manic highs

• Over 8 million Americans are affected by this mental illness

Mania

• State of elevated or irritable mood • Literally translated to “madness, frenzy”• Two different sides: hypomania and full blown

mania which can involve hallucinations and delusions

Characteristics of Mania

• Rapid speech• Racing thoughts• Decreased need for sleep• Euphoria • Impulsiveness• Hypersexuality• Racing thoughts

Characteristics Cont…

• Restlessness• Distractibility• Tendency to make

grand and unattainable plans

• Poor judgment• Reckless behaviors

(alcohol, drugs, spending sprees, etc.)

Euphoria• Medically recognized

as a mental or emotional state of well being

• Euphoria is an affect; It is exaggerated and not usually achieved during the normal course of human experience

Risks

• When in a manic episode people will take risks which are uncharacteristic and rash:

-- running up credit card debt-- gambling-- casual sex with strangers-- talking too much to strangers -- impulsive life-altering decisions

Characteristics of Depression• Extremely sad• Hopeless• Thoughts of

suicide• Loss of interest

in activities that were once enjoyable

• Restless or irritable

• Change in eating, sleeping, or other habits

Characteristics cont…• Alterations

in sleep patterns

• Feeling worried or empty

• Feeling tired

• Have problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions

Thoughts of suicide

• Life is not worth living• Making plans – giving away valuables, saying

goodbye• “If you are actively suicidal, in crisis, call 911

immediately. Your life is worth saving and you are here for a reason. You are a precious, wonderful, and beautiful human being. It is ok that you may not know that now. It is none the less true.” – Mental Health Today

Worthlessness

• Feelings of self loathing and unimportance• Leads to suicidal thoughts and excessively low

self esteem

Facts about Bipolar Disorder

• Effects 1-3% of the population• If untreated, the suicide rate is at 20%• In every generation since WWII there has

been a higher incidence and earlier onset of bipolar depression

• Men, women, and all ethnicities are equally likely to get bipolar disorder

Famous People with Bipolar Disorder

• Jim Carrey• Robert

Downey Jr.• Ben Stiller• Robin

Williams• Beethoven• Van Gogh• Tim Burton• Jimi Henrix

Famous People cont..

• Sylvia Plath• Winston

Churchill• Theodore

Roosevelt• Edgar Allen Poe• Mark Twain• Abraham

Lincoln

Results

Thoughts of death, suicide

Unwanted consequences for rash decisions

Substance abuseHigher risks for heart

disease, migraines, obesity, and anxiety disorders

Treatment• Psychotherapy, aka

talk therapy• Talk therapy:

- can help you learn about why you have the disorder- Identify triggers- Set goals

Treatment cont…

• Medications are given specifically given to each patient

• Usually anti-depressants• Paired with therapy, medications can prevent

negative side effects of bipolar disorder

Lifestyle Changes

• Get regular sleep• Eat regular meals• Exercise regularly• Stay with your treatment

Light at the end of the tunnel

• http://www.facingbipolar.com/bipolar-mania.aspx

• http://www.medicinenet.com/bipolar_disorder/page2.htm

• http://www.mental-health-today.com/bp/famous_people.htm