Bipolar Disorder
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Bipolar Myths and Facts
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Free PDF Book: Healthy Living with Bipolar Disorder by the International Bipolar Disorder Foundation.
healthy_living_with_bipolar_disorder_-_2nd_edition.pdf
healthy_living_with_bipolar_disorder_-_2nd_edition.pdf
This website is about “depression plus”: more than plain depression. Weirder or more “up and down” — but not manic. If that sounds like your experience, your depression might be in the middle of the Mood Spectrum: not bipolar, but not just depressed. More variable, more complex.
psycheducation.org/
From BP Magazine "3 Ways Cortisol Levels Affect People With Bipolar Disorder"
Researchers have found a link between high and low cortisol levels and bipolar disorder.
3_ways_cortisol_levels_affect_people_with_bipolar_disorder_|_bphope_-_bp_magazine_community.pdf
Researchers have found a link between high and low cortisol levels and bipolar disorder.
3_ways_cortisol_levels_affect_people_with_bipolar_disorder_|_bphope_-_bp_magazine_community.pdf
From BP Magazine "The Top Co-Occurring Medical Conditions Related To Bipolar Disorder"
the_top_co-occurring_medical_conditions_related_to_bipolar_disorder_|_bphope_-_bp_magazine_community.pdf
the_top_co-occurring_medical_conditions_related_to_bipolar_disorder_|_bphope_-_bp_magazine_community.pdf
From the The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund
Nearly 6 million Americans have bipolar disorder, and most have probably wondered why. After more than a decade of studying over 1,100 of them in-depth, a University of Michigan team has an answer – or rather, several.
Some of the key findings made in the Prechter cohort by the U-M team, include:
Nearly 6 million Americans have bipolar disorder, and most have probably wondered why. After more than a decade of studying over 1,100 of them in-depth, a University of Michigan team has an answer – or rather, several.
Some of the key findings made in the Prechter cohort by the U-M team, include:
- Migraine headaches are three and a half times more common among people with bipolar disorder than those without. Eating disorders, anxiety disorders and alcohol problems are also more common in those with bipolar, as is metabolic syndrome.
- Childhood Trauma: More people with bipolar disorder have a history of childhood trauma than those without the condition, it is associated with changes in self-control and attention.
- High levels of certain saturated fats: People with bipolar disorder had higher levels of saturated fats in their diets, and the research also found associations between levels of certain fat molecules in the blood of patients and their mood or level of symptoms.
- Decrease in specific gut bacteria: Looking at the microbes living in the gastrointestinal tracts of patients and comparison volunteers, the researchers found lower levels of a key bacteria type, and less diversity of microbes in patients taking antipsychotic medications.
- Poor sleep for women appears to play a key role in bipolar disorder, with links found to severity of depression and mania in female, but not male, participants with the condition. Other gender differences also emerged in other aspects of the study.
- Neurotic Tendencies for men: People with bipolar disorder who have a strong neurotic tendency in their personalities are more likely to have severe illness, especially among men.
- A range of cognitive abilities with newer drugs – including memory, executive functioning and motor skills – were poorer in participants with bipolar than those without, in general. The study found a particular link between the cognitive abilities of people who carried a particular genetic trait and were taking newer antipsychotic medicines.
- Two genes, called CACNA1 and ANK3, appear to play a role in susceptibility to developing bipolar disorder. But many genetic variations have been found to be associated with bipolar risk, and more recent findings have explored the role of having a mix of these variations in the chances a person will develop bipolar.
- Stem cells grown from skin samples taken from participants, and then coaxed to grow into nerve cells called neurons, have proven useful in studying cellular aspects of bipolar disorder. For instance, neurons derived from bipolar patients’ cells were more excitable than comparisons – but calmed down when exposed to lithium, a common treatment for bipolar. Also, the cells show differences in how they interact and function.
- Key features of speech patterns predict mood states and may be useful outcomes measures to predict the need for intervention to prevent episodes of mania or depression.
What is bipolar?
Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the “poles”—mania (highs) and depression (lows). The change in mood can last for hours, days, weeks, or months.
What bipolar is notBipolar disorder is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness.
Who bipolar disorder affectsBipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence, often appearing as depression during teen years, although it can start in early childhood or later in life.
An equal number of men and women develop this illness. Men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode. Bipolar disorder is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups, and social classes.
The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses, partners, family members, friends, and co-workers.
Types of bipolar disorderDifferent types of bipolar disorder are determined by patterns and severity of symptoms of highs and lows.
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes that last at least a week or require hospitalization. Episodes of depression and hypomania may also occur, along with mixed states (when symptoms of depression and mania or hypomania are present together). Behavior during mania can lead to severe financial, family and social disruption.
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less extreme and don’t last as long. However, the person’s behavior is clearly different from the norm to observers.
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by chronic mood fluctuations that do not reach the level of a full manic or depressive episode. However, symptoms cause significant distress in personal relationships, work or school, and other areas of life when they occur. Although symptoms are relatively mild compared to Bipolar I or Bipolar II, they recur within two months each time. People with cyclothymic disorder may go on to develop a more extreme form of bipolar illness.
Symptoms of bipolar disorderMost people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing “highs” and “lows.” 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.
Symptoms of mania:
• Increased physical and mental activity and energy
• Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism, and self-confidence
• Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
• Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
• Racing speech, thoughts, and flight of ideas
• Increased sexual drive
• Reckless behavior
Symptoms of depression:
• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
• Pessimism, loss of energy, persistent lethargy
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Recurring thoughts of death and suicide
How common is bipolar disorder in children?
Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be 15–30 percent. When both parents have the disorder, the risk increases to 50–75 percent.
Symptoms may be difficult to recognize in children because they can be mistaken for age-appropriate emotions and behaviors of children and adolescents. Symptoms may appear in a variety of behaviors.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder.
Treatment for bipolar disorderSeveral therapies exist for bipolar disorder and promising new treatments are currently under investigation. Because bipolar disorder can be difficult to treat, it is highly recommended that you consult a psychiatrist or a general practitioner with experience in treating this illness. Treatments may include medication, talk therapy, and support groups.
Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the “poles”—mania (highs) and depression (lows). The change in mood can last for hours, days, weeks, or months.
What bipolar is notBipolar disorder is not a character flaw or sign of personal weakness.
Who bipolar disorder affectsBipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence, often appearing as depression during teen years, although it can start in early childhood or later in life.
An equal number of men and women develop this illness. Men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode. Bipolar disorder is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups, and social classes.
The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses, partners, family members, friends, and co-workers.
Types of bipolar disorderDifferent types of bipolar disorder are determined by patterns and severity of symptoms of highs and lows.
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes that last at least a week or require hospitalization. Episodes of depression and hypomania may also occur, along with mixed states (when symptoms of depression and mania or hypomania are present together). Behavior during mania can lead to severe financial, family and social disruption.
Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less extreme and don’t last as long. However, the person’s behavior is clearly different from the norm to observers.
Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by chronic mood fluctuations that do not reach the level of a full manic or depressive episode. However, symptoms cause significant distress in personal relationships, work or school, and other areas of life when they occur. Although symptoms are relatively mild compared to Bipolar I or Bipolar II, they recur within two months each time. People with cyclothymic disorder may go on to develop a more extreme form of bipolar illness.
Symptoms of bipolar disorderMost people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing “highs” and “lows.” 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.
Symptoms of mania:
• Increased physical and mental activity and energy
• Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism, and self-confidence
• Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
• Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
• Racing speech, thoughts, and flight of ideas
• Increased sexual drive
• Reckless behavior
Symptoms of depression:
• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
• Pessimism, loss of energy, persistent lethargy
• Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Recurring thoughts of death and suicide
How common is bipolar disorder in children?
Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is estimated to be 15–30 percent. When both parents have the disorder, the risk increases to 50–75 percent.
Symptoms may be difficult to recognize in children because they can be mistaken for age-appropriate emotions and behaviors of children and adolescents. Symptoms may appear in a variety of behaviors.
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, up to one-third of the 3.4 million children with depression in the United States may actually be experiencing the early onset of bipolar disorder.
Treatment for bipolar disorderSeveral therapies exist for bipolar disorder and promising new treatments are currently under investigation. Because bipolar disorder can be difficult to treat, it is highly recommended that you consult a psychiatrist or a general practitioner with experience in treating this illness. Treatments may include medication, talk therapy, and support groups.