BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER
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WHAT IS BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Bipolar disorder is a serious brain illness. It is also called manic-depressive illness. People with bipolar disorder go through unusual mood changes. Sometimes they feel very happy and "up," and are much more active than usual. This is called mania. And sometimes people with bipolar disorder feel very sad and "down," and are much less active. This is called depression. Bipolar disorder can also cause changes in energy and behavior.
Bipolar disorder is not the same as the normal ups and downs everyone goes through. Bipolar symptoms are more powerful than that. They can damage relationships and make it hard to go to school or keep a job. They can also be dangerous. Some people with bipolar disorder try to hurt themselves or attempt suicide.
People with bipolar disorder can get treatment. With help, they can get better and lead successful lives.
WHO DEVELOPS BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Anyone can develop bipolar disorder. It often starts in a person's late teen or early adult years. But children and adults can have bipolar disorder too. The illness usually lasts a lifetime.
WHAT CAUSES BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Several factors may contribute to bipolar disorder, including:
- Genes, because the illness runs in families
- Abnormal brain structure and brain function.
The causes of bipolar disorder aren't always clear. Scientists are finding out more about the disorder by studying it. This research may help doctors predict whether a person will get bipolar disorder. One day, it may also help doctors prevent the illness in some people.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Bipolar mood changes are called "mood episodes." People may have manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes. A mixed episode has both manic and depressive symptoms. These mood episodes cause symptoms that last a week or two-sometimes longer. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day.
Mood episodes are intense. The feelings are strong and happen along with extreme changes in behavior and energy levels.
People having a manic episode may:
- Feel very "up" or "high"
- Feel "jumpy" or "wired"
- Talk really fast about a lot of different things
- Be agitated, irritable, or "touchy"
- Have trouble relaxing or sleeping
- Think they can do a lot of things at once and are more active than usual
- Do risky things, like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex.
People having a depressive episode may:
- Feel very "down" or sad
- Feel worried and empty
- Have trouble concentrating
- Forget things a lot
- Lose interest in fun activities and become less active
- Feel tired or "slowed down"
- Have trouble sleeping
- Think about death or suicide.
HOW BIPOLAR DISORDER IS TREATED?
Right now, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. But treatment can help control symptoms. Most people can get help for mood changes and behavior problems. Treatment works best when it is ongoing, instead of on and off.
1. Medication. Different types of medication can help. People respond to medications in different ways, so the type of medication depends on the patient. Sometimes a person needs to try different medications to see which are best.
Medications can cause side effects. Patients should always tell their doctor about these problems. Also, patients should not stop taking a medication without a doctor's help. Stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous, and it can make bipolar symptoms worse.
2. Therapy. Different kinds of psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, can help people with bipolar disorder. Therapy can help them change their behavior and manage their lives. It can also help patients get along better with family and friends. Sometimes therapy includes family members.
3. Other Treatments. Some people do not get better with medication and therapy. These people may try "electroconvulsive therapy," or ECT. This is sometimes called "shock" therapy. ECT provides a quick "shock" that can sometimes correct problems in the brain.
Sometimes people take herbal and natural supplements, such as St. John's wort or omega-3 fatty acids. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. Scientists aren't sure how these products affect people with bipolar disorder.
Some people may also need sleep medications during treatment.
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
It's natural to be afraid when you're in danger. It's natural to be upset when something bad happens to you or someone you know. But if you feel afraid and upset weeks or months later, it's time to talk with your doctor. You might have post-traumatic stress disorder.
WHAT IS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER?
PTSD is a real illness. You can get PTSD after living through or seeing a dangerous event, such as war, a hurricane, or bad accident. PTSD makes you feel stressed and afraid after the danger is over. It affects your life and the people around you.
If you have PTSD, you can get treatment and feel better.
WHO GETS PTSD?
PTSD can happen to anyone at any age. Children get PTSD too.
You don't have to be physically hurt to get PTSD. You can get it after you see other people, such as a friend or family member, get hurt.
WHAT CAUSES PTSD?
Living through or seeing something that's upsetting and dangerous can cause PTSD. This can include:
- Being a victim of or seeing violence
- The death or serious illness of a loved one
- War or combat
- Car accidents and plane crashes
- Hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires
- Violent crimes, like a robbery or shooting.
There are many other things that can cause PTSD. Talk to your doctor if you are troubled by something that happened to you or someone you care about.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE PTSD?
- Your doctor can help you find out. Call your doctor if you have any of these problems:
- Bad dreams
- Flashbacks, or feeling like the scary event is happening again
- Scary thoughts you can't control
- Staying away from places and things that remind you of what happened
- Feeling worried, guilty, or sad
- Feeling alone
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling on edge
- Angry outbursts
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or others.
- Behaving like they did when they were younger
- Being unable to talk
- Complaining of stomach problems or headaches a lot
- Refusing to go places or play with friends.
HOW CAN I GET BETTER?
PTSD can be treated. A doctor or mental health professional who has experience in treating people with PTSD can help you. Treatment may include "talk" therapy, medication, or both.
Treatment might take 6 to 12 weeks. For some people, it takes longer. Treatment is not the same for everyone. What works for you might not work for someone else.
Drinking alcohol or using other drugs will not help PTSD go away and may even make it worse.
GENERLAIZED ANXIETY DISODER (GAD)
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke it. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work. Sometimes just the thought of getting through the day produces anxiety.
GAD is diagnosed when a person worries excessively about a variety of everyday problems for at least 6 months. People with GAD can’t seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants. They can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating. Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Physical symptoms that often accompany the anxiety include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, light-headedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes.
When their anxiety level is mild, people with GAD can function socially and hold down a job. Although they don’t avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder, people with GAD can have difficulty carrying out the simplest daily activities if their anxiety is severe.
This is a list of common symptoms. People with GAD:
- worry very much about everyday things for at least six months, even if there is little or no reason to worry about them;
- can't control their constant worries;
- know that they worry much more than they should;
- can't relax;
- have a hard time concentrating;
- are easily startled; and
- have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
- common body symptoms are:
- feeling tired for no reason;
- headaches;
- muscle tension and aches;
- having a hard time swallowing;
- trembling or twitching;
- being irritable;
- sweating;
- nausea;
- feeling lightheaded;
- feeling out of breath;
- having to go to the bathroom a lot; and
- hot flashes.
DRUG INDUCED PSYCHOSISWHAT IS PSYCHOSIS?The word "psychosis" is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, in which there has been some loss of contact with reality. The terms "early psychosis" or "first episode psychosis" mean that an individual is experiencing psychosis for the first time.
Symptoms of psychosis are:
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing or feeling things that are not present in reality)
Delusions (false beliefs), paranoia (feeling that people are against you, talking about you or out there to get you)
Disorganized thoughts and speech are symptoms of psychosis.
These symptoms can seem so real that often the person does not realize that they are experiencing psychosis. Psychosis also affects feelings and behaviour.
Psychotic episodes are periods of time when symptoms of psychosis are strong and interfere with regular life. Although the lengths of these episodes vary from person to person and may only last a few hours or days, psychosis is most likely to continue for weeks, months or even years unless the person is given proper treatment.
The experience of psychosis varies greatly from person to person and individuals experiencing psychosis may have very different symptoms.
DRUG INDUCED PSYCHOSIS
The use of street drugs or the excessive use of alcohol is harmful to the physical and mental health of all people; however, the risks associated with drug use are even greater for people who have experienced psychosis.
IMPACT OF DRUG USE AFTER PSYCHOSIS HAS BEGUN
The risks associated with drug use for a person with psychosis include an increased risk of relapse, the development of more secondary problems (including depression, anxiety or memory problems), a slower recovery and more persistent psychotic symptoms.
Certain drugs, and alcohol, may be harmful because they interact dangerously with psychosis medications. Although alcohol in small quantities is usually okay while taking most medications, there are certain medications that must not be combined with alcohol. A doctor can advise about this.
Being honest about drug and alcohol use is essential for recovery from psychosis, even if there is no immediate desire to change usage. Drug use can have negative interactions with treatment, therefore, those on the treatment team need to know the details of the drug use so that they can provide the safest and most effective treatment recommendations.
