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    Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Guide
    Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Guide
    Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Guide
    Ebook153 pages1 hour

    Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Guide

    By BXPLANS.LTD

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    About this ebook

    Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is
    a common condition affecting around 1 in 100 adults
    at some point in their lives. Worldwide, it affects about
    254 million people, with 2.4 million in the UK.
    The exact nature of someone’s illness will be unique
    to them. These moods typically swing between

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBXPLANS.LTD
    Release dateFeb 22, 2018
    ISBN9781910843840
    Bipolar Disorder: The Essential Guide

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      Book preview

      Bipolar Disorder - BXPLANS.LTD

      Introduction

      Originally referred to as ‘manic depression,’ bipolar disorder is a common condition which affects about 1 per cent of adults. That amounts to around 12 million people in the US, 2.4 million in the UK and 254 million people internationally. It’s characterised by severe mood swings which can usually last a few weeks but can last for several months.

      In most cases, bipolar disorder starts between the ages of 15 and 19, and very rarely after the age of 40. Whereas ‘unipolar’ depression - also known as major depressive disorder - more commonly affects women, bipolar affects all sexes equally.

      Each person’s experience of illnesses is unique and individual to them, but moods will generally swing between extreme highs - often referred to as ‘manic’ episodes, as suggested by its original name - where the sufferer will experience euphoria, limitless energy and a great sense of supreme confidence; and devastating low or ‘depressive’ moods, featuring feelings of intense despair and unhappiness. People with this condition can also experience a ‘mixed state’ which combines features of the two extremes. For example, they may experience the despair of a depressed mood, while also struggling with the restlessness of a manic episode. The condition can even cause warped, strange thinking and hallucinations, which may lead to confusion over what is happening, and why it’s happening to you.

      Living with bipolar can be a confusing, frightening experience, especially when you are yet to receive a diagnosis and/or treatment. Those with the disorder will find themselves shifting constantly between periods where they feel unstoppable and have no real desire to eat or sleep, and periods of miserable, dark moods. Those who care about you may find themselves deeply concerned for your welfare.

      It’s not all bad news, though! Over the last few decades, treatment for bipolar disorder has been greatly improved. Following diagnosis, those with the disorder are likely to receive treatment in the form of a large combination of different drugs, which will include an antidepressant to combat low moods, a mood stabiliser (lithium, for example) and sometimes other medications depending on the individual case. In many cases, psychiatrists will also recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

      It is incredibly important that those with bipolar receive a professional diagnosis as early in the development of the condition as possible, as this will give the best chance of successful treatment and positive long-term outcomes. It’s believed that it is generally significantly easier to successfully treat someone who has had less than three episodes. This is something we will discuss further in Chapter Five: Getting a Diagnosis.

      Regardless of diagnoses, learning to listen to your mind and body and take the best possible care of yourself is vital in managing your own mental and physical health. This behaviour is known as ‘self-care,’ and is an incredibly important tool when it comes to managing bipolar disorder. Your condition can be improved to an amazing degree if you learn to recognise what triggers your high and low moods, and to give yourself what you need in terms of diet, stress management, sleep and exercise.

      The aim of this book is to help the reader identify whether they could possibly be living with bipolar disorder, and to understand the types of help that’s available to you and your loved ones in the event of a diagnosis. We will explain exactly what will happen if you receive a professional diagnosis, and why it’s so important that you do seek a professional diagnosis if you believe you have bipolar disorder. We’ll also explain what sort of mental health professionals are available to support and assist you, and which options are available for treatment, both on the NHS and through private care.

      We also hope to help you understand the causes of bipolar disorder, how it manifests itself and what impact this will have on your everyday life, as well as what your friends and family will need to know in order to help you, and what support will be available for them.

      Above all else, this book hopes to help you understand that being diagnosed with bipolar disorder is not the end of the world. Many of those living with bipolar go on to lead satisfying, happy lives so long as they look after themselves to the best of their ability and receive all the treatment they need. The first step towards living your content, healthy life is to arm yourself with all of the information you will need, and this book is a great place to start.

      As a final note, we wish to thank everyone who helped to create this book by openly and bravely describing their own experiences with bipolar disorder. Despite the many difficulties posed by the condition, these people are living illustrations of how - with the right treatment and information - those with bipolar disorder can still live their best lives.

      Please note:

      This book is intended only to provide general information about bipolar disorder, and is by no means to be used as a replacement for professional medical advice. If you suspect you may be suffering from bipolar disorder, please contact your GP as soon as possible.

      The names of some of the case studies cited in this text have been changed.

      1

      What is Bipolar Disorder?

      Everyone experiences mood swings to a certain extent. We can be enthusiastic and happy about our lives one day, and inconsolably miserable the next. This is just what it is to experience the broad spectrum of moods and emotions that make up the human experience. For some, however, these mood swings are far more severe and can have devastating effects on their day-to-day lives. These individuals may find themselves swinging between being incredibly animated, confident and happy, and being sad, tired and depressed.

      ‘Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health problem involving extreme swings of mood (highs and lows).’

      MDF: the BiPolar Organisation

      In the past, people who suffered from these sorts of mood swings were diagnosed with a condition called ‘manic depression.’ This continued right up until 1980, when it was renamed ‘bipolar disorder’ by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to reflect the dual nature or ‘bi-polarity’ of the condition. Some believe the original name describes the condition’s manic highs and depressive lows more accurately, while others suggest that ‘multi-polar disorder’ would be a better name as it highlights that the condition involves more than two moods.

      While we obviously need some sort of name by which to address bipolar disorder, it’s important to remember that that’s all it is: a name. Some people find the use of labels when describing someone’s life experiences, mental and physical health challenges and personality to be unhelpful as it can lead people to forget that each of these factors is unique to the person experiencing them. Some experts have taken to referring to bipolar as a ‘spectrum disorder’ as the impact it has on each person’s life is as individual as the people themselves. Symptoms range broadly from very mild to very severe, which is why it’s important that you find the treatment that’s right for you.

      Your rights as a patient

      Your treatment and care should take into account your personal needs and preferences, and you have the right to be fully informed and to make decisions in partnership with your healthcare team. To help with

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