You Have Bipolar Disorder - Mental Illness Is Nothing To Be Ashamed Of
87What Is Bipolar Disorder?
What exactly is bipolar disorder anyway? What used to be called manic depression is now called bipolar disorder. It is a mood disorder, a chemical imbalance of the brain, often times a very severe mental illness. You can go from one mood extreme to the other. You never know what will trigger an episode, it just happens. From elevated happiness and euphoria to slumbering sadness and sorrow. Within months, weeks or even hours. Depending on what kind of bipolar cycle you are going through.
There are three types of bipolar.
Bipolar I Disorder: This involves at least one or more manic or mixed episode/rapid cycling, and often one or more major depressive episodes. A depressive episode may last for several weeks or months. Your mood changes may also be related to the seasons and weather. A manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood, accompanied by but not limited to hallucinations, grandiose feelings, and increased sexual desire.
Bipolar II Disorder: One or more major depressive episodes with at least one hypo-manic episode. Hypo-manic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes, but are not as severe. Other forms of mania may include behaviors such as unexplained irritability, insomnia, and unacceptable social behaviors.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Is a mood disorder with repeated periods of mild depression, and periods of normal or slightly elevated mood. Lasting at least 2-years. It is the mildest form of bipolar disorder.
Other Symptoms Include:
- Talking to fast or loudly
- Risky or impulsive behaviors
- Paranoia or hallucinations
- Lack of energy
- A loss of Interest
- Thoughts of suicide
Keeping Track Of Everything
If you are lucky, the medications you are prescribed will work the first time you try them. It is not uncommon to cycle through a menagerie of medications to find the right one, often times you will need two or three. You and your doctor can decide how many you need to for you to reach stability. There are side affects that you may have to tolerate so you can find out which medication will give you that stability, and live a normal productive life. Bipolar disorder is a manageable illness. It takes working with your doctors and consistency in your routine.
There will be times you are so depressed all you can think about is suicide. You can't get out of bed for days on end. You pay absolutely no detail to hygiene, or eating. You lock the door and lay in bed knowing the world has come to an end. Nothing matters, nothing exists outside of your bedroom walls. Because your brain tells you life isn't worth living. Your just a big lump laying there waiting for the hole in the floor to suck you in. Wanting to die because there is no other way. Your convinced nobody likes you anyway. So why bother? This is the train of thought that goes along with someone who is in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder.
Then there is the manic phase. You think your The President of The United States. You are totally invincible. You can fly if you so desire. You have a unrelenting sex drive, you have the need to jump on a flight to another country for no other reason than you just know you have to. Your mind races so fast you can't keep up. The thoughts keep coming until they turn into voices you can't understand. You want to spend money, shop for things you know you don't need. Sleep is elusive. You require very little if any for days. You talk fast and loud, blaming others for not being able to keep up with you.
The thing is that bipolar can affect anyone. It is a serious mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the world population according to The World Health Organization.
There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but there is several treatment options. Such as mood stabilizing medications, anti-depressant medications and when necessary, anti-psychotic medications, psychotherapy and as a last resort there is electro convulsive therapy (ECT). But the most popular is mood stabilizing medications such as Lamictal, Abilify, Depakote, and Tegretol to name the ones most often prescribed.
Bipolar also brings along stigma that paralyzes some of those diagnosed to seek treatment because they are afraid of what others might think of them. There is the fear of losing a job because of preconceived idea of what bipolar means or what the bipolar person might do. As mentioned above, it is a mental illness that can be treated with medication and therapy. It is possible to lead a normal life if the person suffering is treated and follows a treatment plan.
Of course along with stigma comes the mistakes and wrong-doing the bipolar person may do while in a manic phase. Such as trouble with the law, unable to keep relationships, thus creating more shame and more stigma. Bipolar is nothing to be ashamed of, one does not have to be stigmatized because there are treatments and support groups to help you work toward stability and wellness. Bipolar disorder is like any other illness that needs to be treated with medication. As long as you continue to take the right medication, and your symptoms are kept under control you can live a normal productive life.
Keep track of your triggers. Recognize what stresses you out. Take notes on patterns that cause you to have mood swings. With this information you can try to avoid your negative stressors. By doing this you will be able to manage your symptoms, inform your doctor, and make changes to your medication if needed.
Keeping your regular doctor and therapy appointments is always crucial. Your doctor's can't help you if you aren't helping yourself. Going off bipolar meds or changing them without talking with your doctor can cause episodes to return or get worse. So be sure to share with your doctor if you intend to quit taking medications. Remember with proper medication, bipolar disorder can usually be managed with therapy, support groups, family, and friends.
Learn More About Bipolar Disorder
- Lithium-What You Should Know
Lithium Carbonate is the drug most commonly used to treat bipolar (manic depressive) disorder. Lithium is usually effective in the treatment of the manic phase & in acute bipolar depression. It serves as a... - Lithium For Bipolar Disorder 1-Trying To Live A Prod...
Who Am I? I wrote this little piece a few months back when I was giving the wonder drug Lithium another try. I wanted it to work so desperately. Lithium is the drug of all drugs for manic depression, what...
CommentsLoading...
This hub has helped me tonight. I've been struggling with bipolar for 7 years. I've tried medication off and on but never felt like it was working. I don't have a very supportive family and I feel like I have no friends. I am currently contemplating suicide.
Hi princess g, this is true, but if we speak out against the stigma of mental illness perhaps some of the things people think of us won't be so negative. I appreciate your comment. Thank you :)
we can't help what others think of us. We can only control what we think.
Thanks jasper, I have struggled with the shame of bipolar and do my best now to combat that stigma by speaking out against it when I can.
great hub very informative I have Bipolar disoder and your hub is right on the money Im so glad I took time to read this thankyou so much nicey put togeather and well done
Sassyk you are my new friend- I sure need those. I was doing well for some time but took a emotional strike harder than expected. My life has kind of changed forever. I am starting over trying to keep my coping strategies in place. I am seeing doctors everyday, so it is sort of a out patient thing right now. I love you for caring and sharing how you cope. Thank you, i need to hear that. Getting through is going to be a rough one this time but i am going to do it. Thank you for the extra hope and confidence sassy girl.
I found my way but it wasn't easy. If you have to be hospitalized, please be willing to go. I checked my self in both of the times I went and was so grateful that I had enough courage to do so. When I first started to take my medication, I felt stable but a few months later I was out of control again. I was so glad that I learned my triggers. I also had my family and my husband to watch out for certain behaviors. The last time I went into the hospital I was experiencing uncontrollable anger. Sometimes, I get afraid that I will get stuck in a mood. I remember one of the nurses told me that I was talking really fast. Right then I realized that I was having a manic episode. This illness is so hard to control but it can be done. I have learned that when an episode is coming on I have a fail safe mechanism that I do. If my mood change where if I get paranoid or I begin to get angry, I stomp my foot a couple of times or sometimes I wear a rubber band on my wrist and snap it to bring me back. If it is really severe, I place an ice cube in my hand . I will have you in my thoughts and I am going to check up on you to see how you are doing. We have to support each other :) God bless you.
First i'm happy to say sassyk you have found your way. Albiet a rocky one. Often times independent doctors just don't have time for the psychiatric community as it is as complex as any illness they treat everyday. Medication and therapy work for me. Altough I am in troubling times I may be hospitalized, buy find it refreshing you found what you need exactly. Stay well my friend.
Thank you for sharing. I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and P.T.S.D. However, before I knew what was going on I thought I was going crazy. My mood would change from suicidal to depression to anger in less than an hour. Then I thought I was invincible. I had no control over my emotions. I finally checked myself in the hospital because I made the mistake of going to my family doctor. I just want to express to anyone who do not know......please go to a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis when it comes to your mental health. Because if you are treated with the wrong medications it can make it worse. I am happy to say that after a few medication adjustments and therapy, Lamictal and the coping skills I learned has worked wonders for me. I haven't had any major mood swings. Also, anyone with bipolar should not be ashamed. Lol....I embrace it. It gives me my creativity. You may feel comfortable in group therapy....you will be suprised to see how many people share our illness and have similar stories. God bless you.
arb-I hope people will understand mental illnes is not something to be ashamed of. We are people just like other people who may have a disease. Thank you for reading and your comment :)
Well, crazybeanrider, you've opened a real can of beans, haven't you. Congradulations!
Hi Panic- I am very sorry for your loss. I am so sorry your neice had to go through so much pain, and was not able to find peace. That is the saddest part of mental illness, sometimes there is none. I get so angry when someone tells me there is no such thing as mental illness, your neice did everything she could to heal and the battle was to great. Your comment made me cry, because it hurts when someone tries so hard and isn't able to find comfort. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you are doing okay. My thoughts are with you and your neice.
My niece was bipolar. She had the most severe form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that her psychiatrists had ever seen. She also suffered from schizophrenic episodes and severe clinical depression. As an RN she understood her condition. She wanted to live but she didn't know how to with so much mental anguish. Nobody could help her. No medications sufficed. As a woman of faith she struggled desperately and prayed continuously, on her knees, for hours at a time. she commited suicide
Hi mlbgriffey24-
First off thank you for sharing so much about youself so openly. I am sorry things have been difficult with your relationship. If you have bipolar maintaining a relationship is one of the hardet things to do.
I would open up with your therapist. Then I would find a psychiatrist and go from there. Perhaps between your therapist and a psychiatrist you can get a proper diagnosis and work from there, and start putting your life back together again.
Try joining some support groups in your area if you have them. You can find answers there. There are online groups as well that can offer information to questions you may have. Read the hubs that relate to bipolar, there are many.
But I would open up to my therapist, she can direct you to the right places to get an approprieate diagnosis.If you need to talk or want to know something more specific feel free to contact me.
Boo
i am a 23 year old college student. i have had a hard past with going through parents divorce, a 4yr relationship breakup, and many other things. i always thought to myself that these past experiances are the things effecting me and that why i have acted the way i have been. I not too long ago came to realize after i read more articles on bi-polar disorder that i may be affected by this. all signs point to yes with my behavior and the way i have treated the ones i love around me. my main concern, and biggest wake up call to me maybe having bi-polar, is the past relationship i had been in. i met her at school, quickly fell in love and had never been happier. but with uncontrollable actions, behavior i couldnt explain, words i said but didnt mean them a few hours later, and constant depression and fights, the relationship ended. i have been given numerous chances to make it work again because she cares so much about me but it finally took until now for her to finally let me go and for me to realize i had more than just a normal problem. We had plans of marriage, kids, a bright future, everything. i had everything that i ever wanted and now it seems to all be gone because of something i couldnt control.
with that said, i have been to a counselor for many sessions this summer, but i have never thought of bringing up that i may have this disorder. although i am scared, i want answers and i want them asap. i cant keep living like this. i want my old life back and i want my ex back in my life and that can only happen if i get help.
is there any advice that you can give me for what i should expect or where i should go from here? thank you for listening and your article has been a great help.
Hi Charlotte, I am really happy that your choice of treatment is working for you. However it doesn't work that way for everyone. Myself included. I have gone the no med route so many times, with very serious ramifications. I go to therapy religiously, my life has been stress free and almost perfect on many occasions, and I still am affected by mood cycles that almost destroyed my life. I will say this, It is the individual, how every person deals with the severity of their illness, what form they have,the environment, but psychosis is psychosis. How do you make hallucinations go away? How do you in the grips of an auditory psychosis come out of that without medication? Therapy alone can't make those voices disappear.
But I do applaud your wellness, and your approach to life.Thank you for sharing your thoughts.I do believe that a orthomolecular treatment is possible, I even have written up some treatment options, but the cost is astronomical, so I stick with the medications that work for me right now.
Boo
i stopped lithium back in 2000. i have not been hospitalized since 1995. i no longer depend on conventional medications. i believe i am the author of my life. i have a therapist and i take homeopathic remedies. i have learned that i don't have to fear going insane. i slow myself down. i make certain i get my sleep. i take care of myself the way any basic human being would need to. i don't spend money recklessly. i no longer have extreme highs or lows. i will always have strong emotions. i am genetically bipolar. however, genetic expression is affected by environment. i have learned to take better care of myself with the help of my therapist. as a child i was abused and neglected. mistreat a dog and it will behave odd. mistreat a human and you get mental illness, expression of dna, nevertheless, i am not a chemical imbalance. i am human with a soul and spirit. and bipolar disorder is much deeper than lithium. in my working life i suffered more trauma. i am attracted to it, because trauma is familiar. a baby is not born thinking, "i would like to kill myself." these thoughts stem from our culture. they were handed to me. i had to swallow them. i no longer believe the labels. i am love. not self-loathing.
Hi RoadRage,
Thank you for the comment. It is awful the collateral damage we leave behind. The relationships that cannot withstand the anguish bipolar leaves. As hard as it is on us, I can't imagine the horror it is for those around us.
I definitely understand your struggle. I am glad you are staying strong and getting help. It is hard, but keep on with the fight. :)
Great Hub.
For me the depression is the worst part. From the failed attempts at suicide to the dissolving of my marriage of 28 years and the disaffection of my 19 year old daughter.
Every day is a struggle but I continue with therapy and the doctor trying different medicatons.
Hi Donald,
Nice to meet you. My mania's are my biggest downfalls. I have been treatment resistant for some time now. I have some serious psychosis within my manic cycles. As well as mixed episodes. So it has been very exhausting to say the least.
At this time in my life I am am questioning myself, and who I am. The bipolar person or someone else. Either way it is a part of me, so that is the part I need to grasp.
I am happy you like my hubs.
I checked your website out and it is fantastic. So much information and interesting reading. I joined your Google friend so I can keep up with your blog.
Dear crazybeanrider,
Thank you for the hub article. I too suffer from Bipolar Disorder and longterm(35 years with the diagnosis and 25 years on medication without an episode.)My manias were my biggest obstacle to health. Psychotic much of the time, I imagined myself the planet manager, telepathic and the leader of a network which controlled everything! It took me 12 years to accept that the "me" I wanted to be, the ecstatic days and weeks of living in a fantasy, were a delusion I needed to put behind me. Mania can be so seductive. Since then I have been able to rebuild my life and enjoy having "a life". Thank you for pointing out this delusional aspect of Bipolar Disorder and the need for treatment. I enjoy your hub articles.
A very well written hub crazybeanrider. Thank you for sharing your info. This info. will help many of us.
This hub could be about my life too. You are so right about the stigma and the shame that goes with it. Often I wish there was a cure but my doctor says it's a disease just like Diabetes is. It sucks. But I'm now finding that writing about is like therapy and I'm looking for a local support group. Have you been to one? Does it really help?
Thanks for sharing - - RoadLessTraveled
Isn't it ironic that not one of the meds listed in the treatment of Bipolar are a cure. They merely mask the problem in an attempt to controll it? How sad is that?
While they are hunting for a cure for all the other ailments of mankind, they throw mood enhancers and the like at us. Bummer.
Nice Hub, and another great job. Happy bipolaring.
Thank you for your kind comments. I am just beginning to really write about the experiences of bipolar and other mental illness's. I am glad you enjoy them. :-)
another good one. I enjoy your hubs.
M
crazybeanrider Hub Author 6 months ago
Hi Tanesha-I have been exactly where you are, please call a hotline and talk to somebody if you have no else to talk too. They are very helpful. I have called them when I had no where else to turn. Your life is worth living no matter what you feel or think. Things can be bad, but ending your life is not the answer. You have a future, think of all the things you will miss. Right now it seems like nothing, but there is so very much. People who love you, people you love, your pets, life around you. Go to a favorite place and tell yourself you are worth staying in this life. I always walk near the water, it helps me see that living is better than dying. Tell yourself you don't want to die, and choose life-please. I want you to live.