Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depression) is an affective disorder which involves alternating mood swings of depression and mania. A person with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of mania and depression, usually with periods of relative stability in between. The symptoms of this disorder may range from very mild to severe. Some of these symptoms are depressive episodes very similar to those found in clinical depression. The difference is that depressive episodes alternate with manic episodes separated by intervals of relatively normal behavior. In the manic periods, a person's mood is elevated or irritable. Manic periods may begin suddenly, and involve an increase in talkativeness and activity and a decreased need for sleep. A person may be able to get by with only a few hours of sleep or go days without sleep (without loss of energy). Another symptom you may encounter is the person's speech may become loud, rapid and difficult to interrupt.
Mania often involves occasional outbursts of irritability, particularly in disagreements with others. Someone who is in the manic phase may experience an inflated sense of self esteem or grandiosity, and tends to engage in activities that have a high potential for risk or undesirable consequences (for example, shopping sprees, extreme exercise, sexual indiscretions, and/or reckless driving. Knowing that, would you agree that behind her good looks, Debra LaFave was a deeply troubled woman suffering from bipolar disorder, or was it a too convenient excuse used in court systems these days?
Lithium carbonate is one of the most commonly used medications for treating manic depression. This medication is generally effective in stabilizing mood swings and lessens the severity of the cycling between manic and depressive episodes. This medication however is not effective for all persons who have manic-depression and some persons who do get symptom relief do not like the side effects because of the tendency to blunt emotions. Some persons with bipolar disorder miss the emotional highs which they experience during their manic episodes. A medication review by a psychiatrist is advisable if the side effects are intolerable to the person.
Following are some practical strategies that may help someone with the manic episodes: Reduce activity and/or movement around the individual. Bright lights should be dimmed and extra noise should be eliminated; use a non-threatening approach by watching your own speech and body language; be careful of placing undue restrictions on their behavior (unless harmful to the person or others); and observe the person's behavior and language in order to detect any increase in risk-taking behaviors which could be harmful to them or others. As a family member or professional caregiver, you will learn that as you become familiar with the person's disorder you will anticipate their mood swings into depression and mania, adjusting your behavior accordingly.
I've had a college friend just recently tell me that she is bipolar, and after reading this post, a lot of her actions years ago, make perfect sense. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Glad it was of some help.
ReplyDeleteOlga
Bipolar disorder is a grave illness causing intense mood alterations ranging from feeling depressed to mania, can even contemplate to suicide. It is caused due to genetic predisposition, high-stress lifestyle, sleep deprivation, stress filled events in life etc. Symptoms are: feeling sad, lonely, helpless, and guilty etc. If anyone are suffering from it, should discuss with close ones, friends, so it will relieve one's pain, should take help from others to prevent it.
ReplyDeleteI've had two clients with biopolar disorder who were holocaust survivors. As their advocate I went to sessions with their psychiatrist and knew them well enough to predict when they were cycling with depression and cycling into a manic episode. You are right it is a grave illness for anyone at any age, but so much severe for the elderly and their caregivers.
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