Mood Matters: What you need to know about BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder is in a class of mood disorders that is marked by dramatic changes in mood, energy and behaviour. The key characteristic of people with bipolar disorder is alternating between episodes of mania (extreme elevated mood) and depression (extreme sadness). These episodes can last from hours to months. The mood disturbances are severe enough to affect the person’s ability to function. The experience of mania can be very frightening and lead to impulsive behaviour that has serious consequences for the person and the family. A depressive episode makes it difficult or impossible for a person to function in his or her daily life
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition that can be treated.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 to 5% of the adult population and is equally distributed between men and women.
If you have a family member with bipolar disorder, you may be slightly more likely to develop it yourself.
Bipolar disorder has no single proven cause, but research suggests that the condition is due to abnormalities in the way some nerve cells in the brain function or communicate. The disorder makes people more vulnerable to emotional and physical stress. As a result, stresses, such as upsetting experiences, substance use or lack of sleep, can trigger episodes, even though they do not actually cause the disorder.
Symptoms of depression include:
Symptoms of mania include:
Describe to the doctor what people think your “normal” personality is like. Describe how things are different now. Discuss all of your symptoms with your doctor and describe how they are affecting your life (e.g. racing thoughts that cause you to lose focus and not get things done). Your doctor can suggest or provide appropriate therapy based on your symptoms. Make sure to discuss all of the available treatments and medications and their benefits and side effects before making any decisions.
The most common forms of treatment for bipolar depression and mania are medication (mainly mood stabilizers such as Lithium or Epival) and psychotherapy, used alone or in combination with other treatments. The use of atypical anti-psychotic medication such as Zyprexa, Risperidal or Seroquel has become more common, as they demonstrate fewer side effects than the older drugs, and serve to stabilize mood as well.
Some of the factors that determine the type of treatment are the nature of the symptoms, the severity and duration of the condition, possible precipitating causes and previous response to treatment. Approximately one in three people with bipolar disorder will remain completely symptom free by taking mood stabilizers.
Complementary treatments, such as peer group support and other support programs, may also be helpful.
Additional treatments, such as massage, mindfulness meditation, shiatsu, therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, tai chi, Pilates and yoga, can also help improve wellness.
There are a number of medications available to effectively treat bipolar disorder. Often, the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and psychotherapy. There are also certain lifestyle choices that can supplement treatments:
The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling your Mood Swings. Monica Basco. Guilford Publications 2005.
A Brilliant Madness. Patty Duke & Gloria Hochman. New York: Bantam Books, 1992.
A Mood Apart: Depression, Mania and other Afflictions of the Self. Peter C. Whybrow. Basic Books 1997.
An Unquiet Mind. Kay Redfield Jamison. New York: Random House. 1995
Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (2004), Kahn/Keck/Perlis/Otto/Ross
Canmat 2005 guidelines for the Management of Patients with Bipolar Disorder