What is bipolar?!
Question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar
Answers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar
What is Bipolar Disorder?
From Kimberly Read & Marcia Purse,
Your Guide to Bipolar Disorder.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
A Layperson's Definition of Manic Depression
by Marcia Purse
One textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation. This is misleading in that bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness - is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as the DSM-IV because it is in its fourth major edition) indicates that Bipolar Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more manic or mixed episode often accompanied by depressive episodes. So even if you're depressed 99 percent of the time, going through just one manic episode qualifies you for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to this definition - but that still leaves out a lot of what manic depression really is.
So let's put it in terms everyone can understand.
Sponsored Links
Depression
Learn about the emotional and physical symptoms of depression.
www.Cymbalta.com
Bipolar mood chart
Online mood chart program George Washington University
www.moodchart.org
Is Your Loved One Bipolar
How To Recognize, Cope & Deal With Your Loved One's Bipolar Disorder.
www.BipolarSupporter.com
Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behavior ... even how a person feels physically (known clinically as psychosomatic presentations). It's probably caused by electrical and chemical elements in the brain not functioning properly (see What Causes Bipolar Disorder? for more information), and is usually found in people whose families have a history of one or more mental illnesses. (While we're at it, let's be clear about something: a mental illness is one that affects the mind, not one that's all in the mind.)
Most often, a person with manic-depression experiences moods that shift from high to low and back again in varying degrees of severity. The two poles of bipolar disorder are mania and depression. This is the least complicated form of the illness.
Depression might be identified by:
Refusing to get out of bed for days on end
Sleeping much more than usual
Being tired all the time but unable to sleep
Having bouts of uncontrollable crying
Becoming entirely uninterested in things you once enjoyed
Paying no attention to daily responsibilities
Feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless for a sustained period of time
Becoming unable to make simple decisions
Wanting to die
Mania might include:
Feeling like you can do anything, even something unsafe or illegal
Needing very little sleep, yet never feeling tired
Dressing flamboyantly, spending money extravagantly, living recklessly
Having increased sexual desires, perhaps even indulging in risky sexual behaviors
Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
Feeling filled with energy
Some people think that they are just "over their depression" when they become manic, and don't realize this exaggerated state is part of the illness - part of bipolar disorder. A person who has depression and mania is said to have Bipolar I.
In addition to Bipolar Disorder I, the American system of diagnosing this disorder also includes Bipolar Disorder II, which involves symptoms of hypomania instead of full-blown mania.
Hypomania - a less extreme form of manic episode - could include:
Having utter confidence in yourself
Being able to focus well on projects
Feeling extra creative or innovative
Being able to brush off problems that would paralyze you during depression
Feeling "on top of the world" but without going over the top.
Hypomania does not include hallucinations or delusions, but a hypomanic person still might exhibit some reckless or inappropriate behavior. A person who has moods of depression and hypomania is said to have Bipolar II.
Finally, here are links to some of the important terms you need to know as you learn more about bipolar disorde
being bipolar means having manich depression. It means that you go through hihs and downs. One of m friends who had that commited suiscide a few months ago. I then realised how hard it must be.
basicly if someone it bipolar it means the could be hapy laughing haveing a great time then the next there sad depressed and wanna kil them selves
Bi-polar disorder is a disorder in which a person goes through mood swings that are on opposite sides of the spectrum. One could be extremely happy, and then feel extremely sad, angry, or depressed within moments. I have bi-polar disorder so I know what it feels like. It can really eat up your life and be very scary and confusing when the mania sets in. It also makes one have rushing thoughts, can bring on some seriously strange(in other peoples eyes)reactions to certain situations, and can cause one to make very rash and bad descisions on a whim. People with bi-polar disorder are not crazy, they just need medicine to keep their moods stable and even them out a bit. It has been said to be a genetic disorder but I think that it can also set in from doing too many drugs(like extasy) that eat away at ones seratonin levels or change the chemical functions of the brain or spinal chord. If you feel that you have the characteristics of someone with this disorder, it is imperative to get tested by a psych. ASAP. Remember though that it doesn't mean that you need to be heavily medicated or labled nuts! I take one pill a day(Abilify) and am finally able to control myself and my moods. It does take a lot of personal/internal work though and finding the right psych. takes some shopping around(they aren't always going to be the one for you just because they have a degree), so be ready to work hard on yourself and prepare to look around a bit for the best psych. that suits you(makes you feel at ease, heard, and understood-not med. happy). Don't be scared though-we are all human and all have our own stuff to deal with, so I wish you the best of luck on your journey :) Should you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to get in touch! :)
The new politically correct name for Manic Depression
You are either on a high or depressed.
Medication can keep you somewhere in the middle.
Sometimes :((
bipolar is a mood disorder where both depressive and manic episodes are present. if you want more info on it check out http://www.abssn.org
Suggest going to the Bipolar.com Website:
http://www.bipolar.com/what_is_bipolar/w...
'The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings' By: Monica Ramirez Basco Ph.D. is very helpful for Bipolar and 'The Mindful Way through Depression'
By: Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D.- is excellent for effectively dealing with the Depression aspect of Bipolar.