From
www.Livingbipolar.Co.Nz
bipolar affective disorder, known as
bipolar disorder or manic depression, is a
mood disorder where moods cycle between
very high (mania) to very low
(depression). These are not the usual
ups and downs that most people experience
in life but are so harsh and sustained
that the person’s ability to perform
everyday tasks is severely affected, and
often has a serious impact on
interpersonal relationships.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is not
known but there is evidence to suggest
there is a strong genetic component. For
instance, while about one in 100 people in
the population have bipolar disorder, if
you have an immediate family member with
the condition the risk of developing it is
about one or two in ten.
Living through the impacts of these mood
changes can be a frightening, overwhelming
and confusing experience. Many of the
symptoms of this disorder means it can be
hard to know who to trust in a time of
crises. When manic—while you think
everything is wonderful and that you are
strong and powerful —it can be difficult
to continue or begin to use medication or
to listen to family, friends or medical
professionals. When depressed you may
feel so utterly hopeless and have all
kinds of negative feelings about
yourself—possibly believing that you are
unworthy of help. It is hard during
these times to remember that these
feelings are temporary, that there are
people who care about you and that you are
never alone.
Symptoms of mania
you are unlikely to seek help when in a
state of mania. You will probably feel
wonderful. You will be smarter, funnier,
more outgoing and will describe having
“never felt better”. Filled with
confidence you may engage in sexual
behaviour that is out of character for you
or make reckless financial
decisions—possibly resulting in large
debts. You may find that you have
reduced need to sleep and feel great even
though you haven’t slept—possibly for
days. You will probably start to become
easily irritated at times and your
emotions may change rapidly from laughter
to tears or anger and then back. You may
see this as being in touch your emotions
in a wonderful spiritual way. That you
are more enlightened than others. People
who know you well may start to notice
these changes in your mood, and you may
feel they are out to get you or hate it
that you are feeling so great. This is
not the case—they care about you and can
see more clearly than you that your mood
or behaviour is a symptom of your
illness.
If your mania is severe you may develop
psychoses—where you lose touch with
reality. Your thoughts may race so fast
that your speech becomes incomprehensible.
You may hear voices, believe you are
getting sign’s from an external force,
believe you have supernatural powers or
become paranoid and believe you are being
attacked or persecuted because of your
special abilities.
Symptoms of depression
when depressed you may lose interest in
things you would normally enjoy and have
difficulty concentrating on newspapers,
books or television. Your interest in
sex may be diminished or non existent.
Everything may feel more difficult and
tasks you would normally complete easily
become too much for you to handle. You
may feel tired all the time, but have
difficulty sleeping, or despite sleeping
much more. You may eat a lot less and
start to lose weight. You will possibly
have strong negative feelings about
yourself or life in general. You may
feel “empty” or “numb” like you
have an absence of feelings and you may
consider taking your own life. If you
believe you are suffering from depression
it is important that you seek help. In
this state you may feel that you should be
able to get through or “fix” the way
you feel by yourself. It is not your
fault that you are feeling this way—it
is a symptom of a treatable illness.
Your quality of life can be dramatically
improved with the right treatment and
support.
