DEFINITION:
From Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder:
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows" – the highs are periods of mania, the lows periods of depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.
Also known as manic depression.
CAUSES:
There are tons of medical definitions and descriptions for the causes and mental functioning for people living with bipolar disorder. I wanted to include some common illnesses, listed in Surviving Manic Depression that can bring on manic symptoms. Influenza, mononucleosis, herpes simplex, and coxsackie virus are just a few listed in Dr. Torrey and Knable's book.
DIAGNOSIS:
Surviving Manic Depression list the following steps that should be followed for proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder:
- History and Mental Status Examination
- Physical and Neurological Examinations
- Basic Lab Work
- Psychological Test
- MRI Scan
- Lumbar Puncture (self note: I'd pass on this one)
- EEG
- Other Diagnostic Test
The book includes descriptions about each test and why they are necessary. It seems to be useful in treating someone currently suffering from mania and ruling out other possible causes. For people who have been living with the disorder for many years, many of the tests are not needed.
DRUG TREATMENTS:
Depakote, Tegretol, Lamictal, Topamax, Zyprexa, Calan, Klonopin, and Catapres. Side effects and effectiveness varies.
Treating Bipolar Disorder: Toward the Third Millennium: Article discussion various treatment options and side effects.
ALTERNATIVE TREATEMENTS:
Health Card System from Bipolar Happens, Mood Charts, Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Stress Reduction.
RESOURCES:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
First, a piece of advice, get the help and support of friends and family when dealing with this illness. It makes a big difference.
I have bipolar disorder. Since first diagnosis, I kept it in check with lithium carbonate. The medicine works wonderfully at balancing my moods when I take it, but has several side effects that make continued use annoying. It takes me a few days to adjust to restarting the medication. During that time I often get headaches and an upset stomach. Once taken regularly, the physical symptoms subside while the psychological ones linger. See lithium carbonate for more information.
I was diagnosed January 2002. It bothers me from time to time; I am constantly fighting back against it. I'm always testing the water to see if maybe I'm making all of this up and that I don't really need the medication to keep my life balanced. Of course, those little experiments dissolve into weeks of stress and anxiety because everything is suddenly wrong and I can't do anything right.
Manic phases don't help either. I love them. I am filled with tons of creative energy and can function on little sleep and morsels of food. It is a wonderful period of time where I sit down and code out new websites or start extensive craft projects. However, it doesn't last and the crash that follows is devastating.
Originally, I didn't need additional medication to handle depressive episodes. They were usually very minor and I could just get over it in a day or two. Thats changed some now with depressive episodes being more pronounced. I'm still not taking anything for depression, just making myself aware of the change.
I'm interested in hearing about alternative treatments. I keep thinking that if I change my diet or exercise routine I can get back in control of my life without lithium. A friend mentioned the bipolar happens website and the Health Cards system for managing symptoms. I've been working on getting started using that system in addition to medication.
I keep an infrequently updated bipolar journal. It is basically a collection of emotions from different times, whether I'm feeling high, low, par, or mixed.
God Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder: looks like diety's get it too.
written on October 15, 2002; modified on July 18, 2004.