Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, once known as manic-depression, is a diagnosis in psychiatry referring to periods of extreme, often inappropriate, and sometimes unpredictable mood states.

Bipolar individuals generally experience mania, hypomania or mixed states alternating with clinical depression and euthymic or normal range of mood over varied periods of time. There are many variations of this disorder. Generally, however, a person with bipolar disorder tends to experience more extreme states of mood than other people, moods which can change quickly or last for months. Mood patterns of this nature are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide. Bipolar disorder is also associated with a variety of cognitive deficits, in particular, difficulty in organizing and planning. The disorder may also skew the ability to judge other's emotion, and alter sense of awareness. Bipolar individuals can be overly observant and analytical of their environment, and in some cases paranoid of others.

Bipolar disorder has not currently been cured but it can be managed. The emphasis of the treatment of bipolar disorder is on effective management of the long-term course of the illness, which can involve treatment of emergent symptoms. Treatment methods include pharmacological and psychological techniques.

A good prognosis results from good treatment which, in turn, results from an accurate diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder continues to have a high rate of both under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis, it is often difficult for individuals with the illness to receive timely and competent treatment.

Bipolar disorder is a severely disabling medical condition. In fact, it is a leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization. However, with appropriate treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder can live full and satisfying lives. Persons with bipolar disorder are likely to have periods of normal or near normal functioning between episodes.

Ultimately one's prognosis depends on many factors, which are, in fact, under the individual's control: the right medicines; the right dose of each; a very informed patient; a good working relationship with a competent medical doctor; a competent, supportive, and warm therapist; a supportive family or significant other; and a balanced lifestyle including a regulated stress level, regular exercise and regular sleep and wake times.

There are obviously other factors that lead to a good prognosis, as well, such as being very aware of small changes in one's energy, mood, sleep and eating behaviors, as well as having a plan in conjunction with one's doctor for how to manage subtle changes that might indicate the beginning of a mood swing. Some people find that keeping a log of their moods can assist them in predicting changes.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• National Institute of Mental Health
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Bipolar Disorder

• who me Thu, April 10, 2008 - [view]
  Hello...im new here..just want to start by saying that Im not feeling all that good today,Ive had better days..but maybe thats why im here...maybe I have bad days to remind me what good days are,maybe im just screwed up in the head...I guess the jury is still out on that one,  but regardless here I am,writing this when I could be doing something else like..flying a kite...or lying on the beach.....but stuff like that is for normal people...right??  I am normal arnt I?  Or maybe not..I cant decide today. Sometimes I like to play a normal person,sometimes I like to pretend that my life is good and full.Sometimes I dont care.When my head gets so full of stuff..its feels like I need to pour it out somewhere..but its trapped somehow..I cant get it out...I am so alone...the sky...
• would? Tue, March 11, 2008 - [view]
  He doesn't understand that it isn't my fault. He stinks I can control my mood swings and thoughts, but I can't. I love him very much and I've been a coward to tell him that. I don't know how many relationships I've had that did get ruined because no guy or girl wants to be with a girl that is "crazy". I just want someone who will be with me through thick and thin. But I know what a lot of you would say. I am only 19 and I got the future ahead of me, knowing me and my condition as of now, there is not one. I'll be lucky if I make to 30 years old. I've always said that, even when I was in high school. A good friend of mine said, when we were 14, "I wont make it till 16". It sounded really stupid considering all the factors in her situati...
• Life... Wed, February 27, 2008 - [view]
  Im drownin in my own skin nothing can change me I am who I am, there is nothing here for me and yet I cant let go!!!! All of you who fucking think you know me ...well you dont Im probably the most fucked up person youll ever meet...Ive got more problems then anyone should be allowed to have I cut myself to stop the pain and yet It always comes back again...I scream and cry because they say it helps to "let it out" well Ive been letting it out and whoever said it helps was wrong it doesnt help it never does and I think thats the biggest crock of shit!!!! You know why Im a mother at 22 cuz I was to stubborn to give up something I believed I needed to take responsability for and now where am I....The fucking getto struggling to pay my bills... so much for the right thing to do Im...
• Is That too much to ask... Wed, February 27, 2008 - [view]
  I am Lost I cry and cry till I cant breathe and nothing seems ok I cry till my eyes can no longer weep I am dead inside there is nothing there...Why Is there no end to this emotional darkness Why does this seem to be my life...I cannot open my eyes for I cannot stand to see the light...I am Dieing why doesnt anyone see me? When will this terror let me be, I cannot breathe without fear and shame I cannot leave my head for Inside my head I am safe...thoughts raceing not one little moment unmoved.... I cannot piece together a thought a solitary notion without it covering up another...I am gone, I am Lost to everyone.... Someone find me, Love me, Need ME
• Live for nothing Sun, February 03, 2008 - [view]
  Hi, this is the first time I'm on Hope Cube.I think it's better to write down my problems. I face countless problems in my life.I have few friends. But they're all good friends I think. They behave nicely to me and willing to help me all the time. They remind me homeworks, wake me up when I was sleeping and forgot an exam :). I feel lucky to have such friends.But I hate myself. I always try to hide from them. These day I'm free from university and prisoned myself in the house, never being outside. I feel that life is so boring. Nothing can interest me anymore. Sometimes I wish I could die. Is it a better choice? I spend time cursing myself, cursing God that he've created me and put me here. I feel disabled and hopeless. I never think about tomorrow. I feel that tomor...