Whatis



	What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a life-long illness. Yes, it is an illness. It's not a character flaw. Though people might say, "just snap out of it" -- its not possible to simply "snap out of it." You'd never tell a heart patient to "oh just get over your condition" or to say to an epileptic in the middle of a seizure "Can't you do something about that? Geesh!" Yet there are those that will look at someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder and make those same comments. Even though bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder can lead very rich, fulfilling lives. The key to this successful journey is education and medication. You have to have an understanding of the disorder and of yourself. Know yourself, know the disorder. In addition to this, work with your doctor to find the medication(s) that work for you. It can be a tedious ordeal (believe me I know) -- but when you reach what I call "the sweet spot " it's oh so worth it. Bipolar Disorder Defined The key characteristic of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings, from manic highs to severe depressions. It is called a mood disorder because it greatly affects a person's experience of emotions and "affect" (the way a person conveys emotions to others).(Miklowitz 15) This disorder is said to be bipolar because the moods swing between the two poles as opposed to the unipolar depression, which occurs only in one pole. In the manic or "high" state, people may experience different combinations of the following: • Elated or euphoric mood (excessive happiness) • Irritable mood (excessive anger, touchiness, moodiness) • A decreased need for sleep • Grandiosity or an inflated sense of themselves and their abilities. • Increased talkativeness. • Racing thoughts or jumping from one idea to another. • An increase in activity and energy levels. • Changes in thinking, attention, and perception. • Impulsive and reckless behavior. In the depressive or "down" state people often feel "blue" or down in the dumps. This state is marked by some of these indicators: • Loses interest in the things he or she ordinarily enjoys. • Loses weight and appetite, • Has trouble sleeping. • Feels guilty and bad about him- or herself. • Has trouble concentrating and making decisions. • Suicidal thoughts. A mixed state is when episodes of mania and depression are experienced simultaneously. It is wise to remember that manias and depressions vary from one person to another. How severe a mania or depression will be depends on the individual, just as how the various medications will affect things. Remember, as I'm fond of saying, this is no "cookie cutter" illness -- You truly cannot box it into some neat little package and say, "Ok, this is it!" There are many types and variations of bipolar disorder listed in the DSM-V manual and even for trained professionals it can be a bit of a task to diagnose. Diagnosis should be made by a psychiatrist. Remember, you would go to a cardiologist for your heart -- trust your moods to a psychiatrist. Getting the Right Diagnosis People with bipolar disorder often spend years suffering through their illness before they are properly diagnosed. In a July 2000 study conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), nearly 70% of bipolar people surveyed said that they had been misdiagnosed. On average, they had seen four doctors before receiving the right diagnosis. Here are some of the main reasons why bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose: Bipolar disorder is often mistaken for depression In the DBSA study, bipolar disorder was most often misdiagnosed as depression. It’s easy to see why. The symptoms of bipolar depression are almost identical to those of clinical depression (what doctors call “unipolar depression”). What’s more, many people with bipolar disorder seek help when they are depressed, not when they’re manic. Some people aren’t always aware that their mania is part of an illness. Often they see this as a time when they can get a lot accomplished—clean the house or do holiday shopping. Or they may be afraid to give up the “highs.” Either way, they often downplay or deliberately avoid mentioning their manic symptoms when they visit the doctor. Substance abuse and social problems can cloud the picture People with bipolar disorder are far more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol because they’re trying to treat their symptoms themselves (self-medicate). They are also more likely to have relationship troubles, or to struggle with their performance at work or in school. Unfortunately, doctors and patients often try to address these problems without getting at their root cause. In fact, a common myth among bipolar patients is that their alcoholism or drug abuse “caused” their bipolar disease, when in reality the reverse is usually true. Bipolar disorder is harder to diagnose in younger people Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can often mimic other problems that occur at these ages. For example, the disease may be misdiagnosed as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); in both illnesses, children exhibit distractability, aggressiveness, and destructive tantrums. As doctors learn more about bipolar disorder, they’re becoming better at recognizing it. But one key way to prevent misdiagnosis is for patients to talk about all their symptoms with the doctor. Giving a complete medical history (including any information about parents or siblings with similar symptoms) can greatly increase a person’s chances of getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. If you are here at the site with questions, wondering if perhaps you "might" have bipolar disorder, then you can visit the DBSA website. They offer a comprehensive online evaluation for bipolar disorder. Please, realize, online screenings are simply that, screenings. They cannot make a diagnosis. In order for a diagnosis to be made, you should visit a psychiatrist. A good start though is the DBSA site -- visit there, and then print out the results of the screening and take it with you to your first appointment. DBSA Bipolar Screening If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us, or post a message on the message board. Delia Miklowitz, David J., PhD. (2002) The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know.New York: The Guildford Press. http://www.bipolarhelpcenter.com/understanding/diagnosis Copyright 2004 Eli Lilly and Company

		Page last updated June 15, 2004. If you have questions or comments, please contact the webmaster@bipolarhope.org. © 2004 Bipolar Hope All Rights Reserved.