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Bipolar Disorder

Lewis

Lewis

Member
This is in 3 post below. This article has some top of the line insight on Bipolar Disorder, it can help you or a family member or friend.

Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people go back and forth between periods of a very good or irritable mood and depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very quick.



Causes »

Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. It usually starts between ages 15 - 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
Types of bipolar disorder:

  • People with bipolar disorder type I have had at least one manic episode and periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder type I was called manic depression.
  • People with bipolar disorder type II have never had full mania. Instead they experience periods of high energy levels and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as mania (called hypomania). These periods alternate with episodes of depression.
  • A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves less severe mood swings. People with this form alternate between hypomania and mild depression. People with bipolar disorder type II or cyclothymia may be wrongly diagnosed as having depression.
In most people with bipolar disorder, there is no clear cause for the manic or depressive episodes. The following may trigger a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder:

  • Life changes such as childbirth
  • Medications such as antidepressants or steroids
  • Periods of sleeplessness
  • Recreational drug use
In-Depth Causes » Back to TopSymptoms »

The manic phase may last from days to months. It can include the following symptoms:

  • Easily distracted
  • Little need for sleep
  • Poor judgment
  • Poor temper control
  • Reckless behavior and lack of self control
    • Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
    • Poor judgment
    • Sex with many partners (promiscuity)
    • Spending sprees
  • Very elevated mood
    • Excess activity (hyperactivity)
    • Increased energy
    • Racing thoughts
    • Talking a lot
    • Very high self-esteem (false beliefs about self or abilities)
  • Very involved in activities
  • Very upset (agitated or irritated)
These symptoms of mania occur with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, the symptoms of mania are similar but less intense.
The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder includes the following symptoms:

  • Daily low mood or sadness
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Eating problems
    • Loss of appetite and weight loss
    • Overeating and weight gain
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
  • Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
  • Loss of self-esteem
  • Thoughts of death and suicide
  • Trouble getting to sleep or sleeping too much
  • Pulling away from friends or activities that were once enjoyed
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. Patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can make the symptoms and suicide risk worse.
Sometimes the two phases overlap. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur together or quickly one after the other in what is called a mixed state.
In-Depth Symptoms »

Back to TopExams and Tests »

Many factors are involved in diagnosing bipolar disorder. The health care provider may do some or all of the following:

  • Ask about your family medical history, such as whether anyone has or had bipolar disorder
  • Ask about your recent mood swings and for how long you've had them
  • Perform a thorough examination to look for illnesses that may be causing the symptoms
  • Run laboratory tests to check for thyroid problems or drug levels
  • Talk to your family members about your behavior
  • Take a medical history, including any medical problems you have and any medications you take
  • Watch your behavior and mood
Note: Drug use may cause some symptoms. However, it does not rule out bipolar affective disorder. Drug abuse may be a symptom of bipolar disorder.
In-Depth Diagnosis »

Back to TopTreatment »

Periods of depression or mania return in most patients, even with treatment. The main goals of treatment are to:

  • Avoid moving from one phase to another
  • Avoid the need for a hospital stay
  • Help the patient function as well as possible between episodes
  • Prevent self-injury and suicide
  • Make the episodes less frequent and severe
The health care provider will first try to find out what may have triggered the mood episode. The provider may also look for any medical or emotional problems that might affect treatment.
The following drugs, called mood stabilizers, are usually used first:

  • Carbamazepine
  • Lamotrigine
  • Lithium
  • Valproate (valproic acid)
Other antiseizure drugs may also be tried.
Other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder include:

  • Antipsychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) for mood problems
  • Antidepressant medications can be added to treat depression. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have manic or hypomanic episodes if they are put on antidepressants. Because of this, antidepressants are only used in people who also take a mood stabilizer.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat the manic or depressive phase of bipolar disorder if it does not respond to medication. ECT uses an electrical current to cause a brief seizure while the patient is under anesthesia. ECT is the most effective treatment for depression that is not relieved with medications.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses high-frequency magnetic pulses to target affected areas of the brain. It is most often used after ECT.
Patients who are in the middle of manic or depressive episodes may need to stay in a hospital until their mood is stable and their behavior is under control.
Doctors are still trying to decide the best way to treat bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Parents should consider the possible risks and benefits of treatment for their children.
SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND THERAPIES
Family treatments that combine support and education about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation) may help families cope and reduce the odds of symptoms returning. Programs that offer outreach and community support services can help people who do not have family and social support.
Important skills include:

  • Coping with symptoms that are present even while taking medications
  • Learning a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough sleep and staying away from recreational drugs
  • Learning to take medications correctly and how to manage side effects
  • Learning to watch for the return of symptoms, and knowing what to do when they return
Family members and caregivers are very important in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They can help patients find the right support services, and make sure the patient takes medication correctly.
Getting enough sleep is very important in bipolar disorder. A lack of sleep can trigger a manic episode. Therapy may be helpful during the depressive phase. Joining a support group may help bipolar disorder patients and their loved ones.

  • A patient with bipolar disorder cannot always tell the doctor about the state of the illness. Patients often have trouble recognizing their own manic symptoms.
  • Changes in mood with bipolar disorder are not predictable. It it is sometimes hard to tell whether a patient is responding to treatment or naturally coming out of a bipolar phase.
  • Treatments for children and the elderly are not well-studied.
In-Depth Treatment »

Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)

Mood-stabilizing medication can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, patients often need help and support to take medicine properly and to make sure that mania and depression are treated as early as possible.
Some people stop taking the medication as soon as they feel better or because the mania feels good. Stopping medication can cause serious problems.
Suicide is a very real risk during both mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder who think or talk about suicide need immediate emergency attention.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back to TopPossible Complications

Stopping medication or taking it the wrong way can cause your symptoms to come back, and lead to the following complications:

  • Alcohol and/or drug abuse
  • Problems with relationships, work, and finances
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
This illness is hard to treat. Patients, their friends, and family must know the risks of not treating bipolar disorder.


Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health provider or an emergency number right way if:

  • You are having thoughts of death or suicide
  • You are experiencing severe symptoms of depression or mania
  • You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and your symptoms have returned or you are having any new symptoms


Back to TopReferences

Beynon S, Soares-Weiser K, Woolacott N, Duffy S, Geddes JR. Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of controlled trials. J Psychopharmacol . 2009; 23(5):574-591.
Lyness JM. Psychiatric disorders in medical practice. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2011:chap 404.
Benazzi F. Bipolar disorder -- focus on bipolar II disorder and mixed depression. Lancet . 2007;369:935-945.
Morriss RK, Faizal MA, Jones AP, Williamson PR, Bolton C, McCarthy JP. Interventions for helping people recognize early signs of recurrence in bipolar disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2007;24;(1):CD004854.
Sachs GS, Nierenberg AA, Calabrese JR, et al. Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. N Engl J Med . 2007;356:1711-1722.


More Information on This Topic











When Bipolar Masquerades as a Happy Face

By RICHARD A. FRIEDMAN, M.D.
The mystery of bipolar disorder, in a patient whose euphoric moods and vivacious character masked his illness.


Causes »

Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. It usually starts between ages 15 - 25. The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
Types of bipolar disorder:

  • People with bipolar disorder type I have had at least one manic episode and periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder type I was called manic depression.
  • People with bipolar disorder type II have never had full mania. Instead they experience periods of high energy levels and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as mania (called hypomania). These periods alternate with episodes of depression.
  • A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves less severe mood swings. People with this form alternate between hypomania and mild depression. People with bipolar disorder type II or cyclothymia may be wrongly diagnosed as having depression.
In most people with bipolar disorder, there is no clear cause for the manic or depressive episodes. The following may trigger a manic episode in people with bipolar disorder:

  • Life changes such as childbirth
  • Medications such as antidepressants or steroids
  • Periods of sleeplessness
  • Recreational drug use
In-Depth Causes » Back to TopSymptoms »

The manic phase may last from days to months. It can include the following symptoms:

  • Easily distracted
  • Little need for sleep
  • Poor judgment
  • Poor temper control
  • Reckless behavior and lack of self control
    • Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
    • Poor judgment
    • Sex with many partners (promiscuity)
    • Spending sprees
  • Very elevated mood
    • Excess activity (hyperactivity)
    • Increased energy
    • Racing thoughts
    • Talking a lot
    • Very high self-esteem (false beliefs about self or abilities)
  • Very involved in activities
  • Very upset (agitated or irritated)
These symptoms of mania occur with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, the symptoms of mania are similar but less intense.
The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder includes the following symptoms:

  • Daily low mood or sadness
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Eating problems
    • Loss of appetite and weight loss
    • Overeating and weight gain
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
  • Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
  • Loss of self-esteem
  • Thoughts of death and suicide
  • Trouble getting to sleep or sleeping too much
  • Pulling away from friends or activities that were once enjoyed
 
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. Patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can make the symptoms and suicide risk worse.
Sometimes the two phases overlap. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur together or quickly one after the other in what is called a mixed state.
In-Depth Symptoms »

Back to TopExams and Tests »

Many factors are involved in diagnosing bipolar disorder. The health care provider may do some or all of the following:

  • Ask about your family medical history, such as whether anyone has or had bipolar disorder
  • Ask about your recent mood swings and for how long you've had them
  • Perform a thorough examination to look for illnesses that may be causing the symptoms
  • Run laboratory tests to check for thyroid problems or drug levels
  • Talk to your family members about your behavior
  • Take a medical history, including any medical problems you have and any medications you take
  • Watch your behavior and mood
Note: Drug use may cause some symptoms. However, it does not rule out bipolar affective disorder. Drug abuse may be a symptom of bipolar disorder.
In-Depth Diagnosis »

Back to TopTreatment »

Periods of depression or mania return in most patients, even with treatment. The main goals of treatment are to:

  • Avoid moving from one phase to another
  • Avoid the need for a hospital stay
  • Help the patient function as well as possible between episodes
  • Prevent self-injury and suicide
  • Make the episodes less frequent and severe
The health care provider will first try to find out what may have triggered the mood episode. The provider may also look for any medical or emotional problems that might affect treatment.
The following drugs, called mood stabilizers, are usually used first:

  • Carbamazepine
  • Lamotrigine
  • Lithium
  • Valproate (valproic acid)
Other antiseizure drugs may also be tried.
Other drugs used to treat bipolar disorder include:

  • Antipsychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) for mood problems
  • Antidepressant medications can be added to treat depression. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have manic or hypomanic episodes if they are put on antidepressants. Because of this, antidepressants are only used in people who also take a mood stabilizer.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat the manic or depressive phase of bipolar disorder if it does not respond to medication. ECT uses an electrical current to cause a brief seizure while the patient is under anesthesia. ECT is the most effective treatment for depression that is not relieved with medications.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses high-frequency magnetic pulses to target affected areas of the brain. It is most often used after ECT.
Patients who are in the middle of manic or depressive episodes may need to stay in a hospital until their mood is stable and their behavior is under control.
Doctors are still trying to decide the best way to treat bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Parents should consider the possible risks and benefits of treatment for their children.
SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND THERAPIES
Family treatments that combine support and education about bipolar disorder (psychoeducation) may help families cope and reduce the odds of symptoms returning. Programs that offer outreach and community support services can help people who do not have family and social support.
Important skills include:

  • Coping with symptoms that are present even while taking medications
  • Learning a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough sleep and staying away from recreational drugs
  • Learning to take medications correctly and how to manage side effects
  • Learning to watch for the return of symptoms, and knowing what to do when they return
Family members and caregivers are very important in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They can help patients find the right support services, and make sure the patient takes medication correctly.
Getting enough sleep is very important in bipolar disorder. A lack of sleep can trigger a manic episode. Therapy may be helpful during the depressive phase. Joining a support group may help bipolar disorder patients and their loved ones.

  • A patient with bipolar disorder cannot always tell the doctor about the state of the illness. Patients often have trouble recognizing their own manic symptoms.
  • Changes in mood with bipolar disorder are not predictable. It it is sometimes hard to tell whether a patient is responding to treatment or naturally coming out of a bipolar phase.
  • Treatments for children and the elderly are not well-studied.
In-Depth Treatment »

Back to TopOutlook (Prognosis)

Mood-stabilizing medication can help control the symptoms of bipolar disorder. However, patients often need help and support to take medicine properly and to make sure that mania and depression are treated as early as possible.
Some people stop taking the medication as soon as they feel better or because the mania feels good. Stopping medication can cause serious problems.
Suicide is a very real risk during both mania and depression. People with bipolar disorder who think or talk about suicide need immediate emergency attention.


Back to TopPossible Complications

Stopping medication or taking it the wrong way can cause your symptoms to come back, and lead to the following complications:

  • Alcohol and/or drug abuse
  • Problems with relationships, work, and finances
  • Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
This illness is hard to treat. Patients, their friends, and family must know the risks of not treating bipolar disorder.


Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health provider or an emergency number right way if:

  • You are having thoughts of death or suicide
  • You are experiencing severe symptoms of depression or mania
  • You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and your symptoms have returned or you are having any new symptoms


Back to TopReferences

Beynon S, Soares-Weiser K, Woolacott N, Duffy S, Geddes JR. Pharmacological interventions for the prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder: a systematic review of controlled trials. J Psychopharmacol . 2009; 23(5):574-591.
Lyness JM. Psychiatric disorders in medical practice. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2011:chap 404.
Benazzi F. Bipolar disorder -- focus on bipolar II disorder and mixed depression. Lancet . 2007;369:935-945.
Morriss RK, Faizal MA, Jones AP, Williamson PR, Bolton C, McCarthy JP. Interventions for helping people recognize early signs of recurrence in bipolar disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2007;24;(1):CD004854.
Sachs GS, Nierenberg AA, Calabrese JR, et al. Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. N Engl J Med . 2007;356:1711-1722.


More Information on This Topic

 
Ya know Lewis, I remember living in the days when they called this "manic depressive psychosis" Something like 9 months of depression and 6 months of elation (or was it the other way around?) and the big thing to control it was the mineral lithium. Shows my age. :lol
 
tim. lithium is still used. its called valium. clonzapan and also they use epileitc meds such phenylbartyl,. dilatan and depakote

the phenylbartyl is found in nature and its refined.
 
Tim I use Lithium and it is not going anywhere, it was approved in 1974.
Jason I did not start to really understand this disorder until I read this book below,Kay Redfield Jamison is the top Bipolar Doc in the country and she is Bipolar herself, and man did she do some crazy stuff, get this book Jason for the wife, it will help out a lot. I could not put that book down. I read it about 5 years ago and it is still in my mind.

An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison

unquietmind.jpg






The Bottom Line

Everyone who experiences mania and depression will benefit from reading this book. Every doctor, judge, police officer and criminal or family attorney should be required to read it. And every family member and friend of someone diagnosed with manic depression, especially bipolar I and II disorders, or of someone exhibiting the symptoms, will gain from reading Kay Redfield Jamison's courageous autobiography.

Pros


  • Clearly describes the condition of severe manic-depressive illness
  • Excellent for helping loved ones understand bipolar disorder
  • Never boring or difficult - holds attention throughout
Cons


  • Sometimes the timeline is muddled - not a serious defect
Description


  • Skillfully written, without a trace of self-pity.
  • Will greatly increase understanding for those who deal with or love someone with this illness.
  • Deals well with tough subjects like denial and medication compliance.
Guide Review - "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison

An Unquiet Mind is a powerful, uncompromising and illuminating story of severe manic-depressive illness from the informed perspective of a psychologist, psychotherapist and researcher who has lived with the illness for more than 30 years. Kay Redfield Jamison's work clearly illustrates the complex nature of the most deadly form of the illness - bipolar I disorder, severe, with psychotic features. Manic depression (the author dislikes the term "bipolar disorder") is revealed as a creature of many moods: the seductively effortless well-being, confidence and energy of hypomania; the on- or over-the-edge frenzies of mania; the long, narrow gray prison of depression. Readers will feel the lure of a psychotic flight through the rings and moons of Saturn, share the terror of a experiencing a bloody hallucination, and even gain an understanding of the dark obsession with death and the pressures and rationalizations that led the author to a near-fatal suicide attempt. The importance of mixed episodes - the agitated merge of mania and depression - is emphasized in painful detail.
Dr. Jamison makes an excellent case, through her own experiences, for the need to treat manic depression with both medication and psychotherapy. And the precautionary agreement she describes making with her family and psychiatrist in the event she should become a danger to herself is something anyone who has experienced suicidal impulses should consider.
I found this book almost impossible to put down.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lithium is still used? Good to see that some old things never change. Yeah, I don't know if that's from some genetic deficiency of that mineral or not. However, I wish that they would recognize the mineral Chromium for diabetes as Lithium is for bipolar. A lot of times one has to check their nutritional status first before the drugs are used.
 
How Does Lithium Work With Bipolar Disorder?

For people with bipolar disorder, mood stabilizer treatment is usually required for life. The first line of treatment for this condition often involves the use of lithium. Lithium carbonate is a natural mineral, or more specifically a salt, that is administered as a medication in pill, tablet and liquid from. It has been approved for use in the treatment of bipolar disorder since 1970. Lithium is effective for treating manic episodes and is prescribed for the daily use of individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is characterized by intermittent bouts of mania and depression. The manic episodes involve feeling emotionally high, irritable, the need to keep talking, easily distracted, unable to sleep and having a false sense of well-being. While experiencing mania, it is common to have several symptoms at the same time.
Depressive episodes also involve feeling multiple symptoms. Depression could include sadness, a feeling of emptiness, lack of interest in most activities, lack of sleep, decreased energy and suicidal thoughts. According to the "British Medical Journal," 10 to 20 percent of bipolar patients actually commit suicide. Throughout the course of time, people suffering from bipolar disorder alternate through both manic and depressive mood changes.




How Lithium Works

Lithium works by evening out the mood changes associated with manic depression. Although medical researchers are not exactly sure of the mechanism that enables lithium to stabilize moods, it is known to act on the central nervous system. Lithium medication helps bipolar patients to cope with the challenges of living and have more control over their emotions.
Important Facts and Side Effects

Certain levels of lithium in the blood give patients the best chance for a positive response to the drug. Therefore, periodic blood tests are required while medicating with lithium. During initial treatment, doctors may draw and test blood up to twice a week. After bipolar symptoms are well controlled, the need for frequent blood draws will decrease. Lithium needs to be taken every day in regularly timed doses so that a steady amount remains in the system. It is important to stay well hydrated and get enough dietary salt in order for lithium to work effectively and to avoid serious side effects. Lithium may be prescribed by itself or together with other medications in order to manage bipolar mood changes.
Side effects may or may not occur while taking lithium. Medical attention is required if patients experience any of the following unwanted effects: confusion or lack of awareness, fainting, fast or slow heartbeat, increased thirst, increased urination, weakness or fatigue, difficulty breathing, stiffness in the arms and legs, and weight gain.
Long-term use may also cause hypothyroidism in certain patients. However, this condition is easily treated with thyroid medication. Some side effects may occur that do not require medical attention. Slight muscle twitching, acne, skin rash or bloat usually resolves after a patient becomes accustomed to the medication. Bothersome effects can also be eased or eliminated with the guidance of health care professional.
 
Now that there are more drugs available, there's apparently a way to predict which drugs are good for which patients. For instance, classic bipolar--euphoric mania, severe depression, etc.--responds well to lithium. My kind of "bipolar," which involves psychosis at both ends, means an "atypical" antipsychotic, sometimes plus an anticonvulsant.

Lots of people are on antipsychotics, since drug companies are pushing them so hard these days. I wouldn't take one if I didn't have to.
 
thanku for posting this. my ex-boyfriend had bipolar and this touches me deeply. he stopped taking his medication and has gone crazy. i last talked to him at christmas. i miss him dearly and pray this deadly disease will one day be cured.
 
txgirlmaddy said:
thanku for posting this. my ex-boyfriend had bipolar and this touches me deeply. he stopped taking his medication and has gone crazy. i last talked to him at christmas. i miss him dearly and pray this deadly disease will one day be cured.
Click to expand...
Get this book

An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison

unquietmind.jpg






The Bottom Line

Everyone who experiences mania and depression will benefit from reading this book. Every doctor, judge, police officer and criminal or family attorney should be required to read it. And every family member and friend of someone diagnosed with manic depression, especially bipolar I and II disorders, or of someone exhibiting the symptoms, will gain from reading Kay Redfield Jamison's courageous autobiography.

Pros


  • Clearly describes the condition of severe manic-depressive illness
  • Excellent for helping loved ones understand bipolar disorder
  • Never boring or difficult - holds attention throughout
Cons


  • Sometimes the timeline is muddled - not a serious defect
Description


  • Skillfully written, without a trace of self-pity.
  • Will greatly increase understanding for those who deal with or love someone with this illness.
  • Deals well with tough subjects like denial and medication compliance.
Guide Review - "An Unquiet Mind" by Kay Redfield Jamison

An Unquiet Mind is a powerful, uncompromising and illuminating story of severe manic-depressive illness from the informed perspective of a psychologist, psychotherapist and researcher who has lived with the illness for more than 30 years. Kay Redfield Jamison's work clearly illustrates the complex nature of the most deadly form of the illness - bipolar I disorder, severe, with psychotic features. Manic depression (the author dislikes the term "bipolar disorder") is revealed as a creature of many moods: the seductively effortless well-being, confidence and energy of hypomania; the on- or over-the-edge frenzies of mania; the long, narrow gray prison of depression. Readers will feel the lure of a psychotic flight through the rings and moons of Saturn, share the terror of a experiencing a bloody hallucination, and even gain an understanding of the dark obsession with death and the pressures and rationalizations that led the author to a near-fatal suicide attempt. The importance of mixed episodes - the agitated merge of mania and depression - is emphasized in painful detail.
Dr. Jamison makes an excellent case, through her own experiences, for the need to treat manic depression with both medication and psychotherapy. And the precautionary agreement she describes making with her family and psychiatrist in the event she should become a danger to herself is something anyone who has experienced suicidal impulses should consider.
I found this book almost impossible to put down.
 
In most cases this "condition" is aggravated by excessive drug and/or alcohol use. Most people who see a doctor concerning "mental problems" lie to the doctor about their personal drug habits. Normally both parties are at fault. They both develop a drug dependency and one person breaks sooner than the other. If you know someone who is single with this problem; they likely became single because of the drug use that accompanied the ups and downs. I think there are rare cases where people do not self-medicate with marijuana etc, but most do. Marijuana and/or alcohol is often a trigger to the chemical imbalance. The result ends up as a chemical-spiritual cocktail; as demons will almost always be drawn to these problems. I have had success in treating this and much worse problems. The answers can be truly confronting.
 
My "bipolar disorder" has improved after God's intervention. Shrinks took it upon themselves to fry my brain w/ involuntary electroshock and heavy drugging. God healed me. I now take an Abilify when I need it. Compare this to the 4+ drug cocktails so common today (I know--I've been on them).

Of course, mine has a strong psychotic component. stress management and prayer help manage the agitation that can lead to psychosis, so its a little different than 'classical" bipolar which more episodic and involves less psychosis. just a warning to everyone...keep an eye on your shrinks.
 
"An Unquiet Mind" by Dr. Jamison is an excellent book on the subject. I highly recommend it to everyone to read, whether there's someone bipolar in the family or no.

I read the book several years ago, along with other books, to get an idea of what my daughter-in-law battles every day of her life. It also provided insight as to what my son faces daily. My d-i-l takes lithium usually ... without it, she's been known to have the spending problem, a trait of bipolar. She has a sweet & gentle heart, when her condition is stablized with meds .... she is quite the opposite when she doesn't take meds.

One of my offspring is a police officer, with training in hostage negotiations. This offspring has read "An Unquiet Mind" and has used the knowledge from that book with delicate negotiations situations.
 
I have been diagnosed with bipolar. It was a very mild form before I had my last child. After he was born I had postpartum depression which led to a psychosis.

I went on several different medications until I found the right one I needed with hardly any side effects.

All I can say is that it has been the hardest past 5yrs I've ever been through. I'm just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I survived two suicide attempts both during psychotic episodes. Thank you God.

It's amazing to feel normal again.

The right doctor, right meds, and turning back to the Lord have all been key in my continued recovery.

I'll have to check out that book.
 
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