Forward House Community Society

BI-POLAR Affective Disorder

 
What is it?

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 late teens or early twenties, often not recognized or diagnosed as bipolar disorder for many years. 

Causes 

• There is a genetic component as people who have loved ones with this disease are likely to inherit it if there is a familial tendency.
• No gene has been isolated yet despite research efforts. 
• Environmental factors aggravate the disorder.
• Imbalances in the biochemistry controlling mood or hormonal imbalances have been thought of as factors contributing to bipolar disorder. 

Facts about Bipolar Disorder: 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 many people surrounding the one with bipolar; there are often behavioural problems such as wild spending sprees to cope with and the consequences that they bring. 

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

Signs and Symptoms of Depressive Episode can include: Persistent sad, empty or anxious mood; feelings of hopelessness or negativity; loss of interest in ordinary day to day activities; difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions; sleep disturbances; loss of appetite and weight loss or weight gain, very low self esteem.

Treatment: Lithium, alone or in combination with other medication, helps up to 70% of those with Bipolar disorder.  Psychotherapy is also recommended.  Hospitalization 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 nonexistent when I'm depressed, to normal then heightened during a manic state."  Currently this partner is functioning at a normal level and living with this disease. 
Two very famous people that also live with this illness are Margot Kidder and Patty Duke.

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Last modified: April 01, 2008