What is it?

Bi-Polar is a mental illness involving episodes of serious mania and depression. The person's mood usually swings from overly high and irritable to sad and hopeless, then back again. Onset is generally in the late teens or early twenties, often not recognized or diagnosed as bipolar disorder for many years.

Causes:

There is a genetic component involved in this illness. People who have loved ones with this desease are likely to inherit it if there is a 'familial tendency' within their family. No gene has been isolated yet, despite the on-going research efforts. Environmental factors often aggravate the disorder. Imbalances in the biochemistry controlling mood or hormonal imbalances have been thought of as factors contributing to biopolar disorder.

Facts about BiPolar:

It is about the most treatable of psychiatric or mental illnesses. It can be thought of as a spectrum (i.e., depression, the blues, normal mood, hypomania, mania).

It is hard on the people who surround the person with biopolar. There are often behavioural problems such as wild spending sprees which can bring very serious consequences to everyone involved.

Signs and Symptons:

Episodes of mania (at least one week in duration) can include increased energy; activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid thinking; decreased need for sleep; unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers; uncharacteristically poor judgement; abuse of drugs, alcohol or sleeping medication; provocative, intrusive or aggressive behaviour; and denial that anything is wrong.

Signs and symptoms of a depressive episode can include a persistent, sad, empty or anxious mood; feelings of hopelessness or negativity; loss of interest in ordinary day-to-day activities; increased difficulty with concentration, remembering, or decision-making; sleep disturbances; loss of appetite and weight loss or weight gain, and very low self-esteem.

Treatment:

Lithium, alone or in combination with other medication, helps up to 70% of those with BiPolar. Psychotherapy is recommended. Hospitalizatioin may be required when there is an impairment in the normal level of functioning, usually during a manic or depressive episode.

Partner Perspective:

"My ability to perceive beauty in people, animals and the environment is non-existent when I'm depressed, and normal then heightened during a manic state." Currently, this partner is functioning at a normal level and living with this disease.

Two famous people that also live with this illness are Margot Kidder and Patty Duke.