- The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Bipolar UK and Bipolar
Scotland are working together to launch the first National Bipolar
Awareness Day on 27 June 2012. We have put together a
survey looking at the difficulties in making a correct
diagnosis and would welcome your comments. It will take no more
than 5 mns.
Bipolar disorder: key facts
Mental Health: have you been affected by the
recession? We would welcome your views.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which
your mood can swing very high, or very low, for weeks or
months. It used to be called Manic Depression.
Your mood can be:
- low with intense depression and despair
- high or ‘manic’ with elation, over-activity or anger
- a 'mixed state' with symptoms of depression and
mania.
Bipolar disorder is less common than depression. It affects
about 1 person in a 100.
What causes bipolar disorder?
- It seems to run in families, so genes are
involved.
- There may be a physical problem with the brain systems which
control mood.
- Stress can trigger episodes.
How does it feel to have bipolar
disorder?
| Depression |
Mania |
- Feelings of unhappiness that don't go
away
- Agitation and restlessness
- Loss of self-confidence
- Feeling useless, inadequate and
hopeless
- Thoughts of suicide
- Not able to think positively or
hopefully
- Can't make decisions
- Can't concentrate, lose interest
- Can't eat, lose weight
- Can't sleep properly, wake early in
the morning
- Go off sex
- Avoid other people
|
- Very happy and excited
- Feel more important than usual
- Full of new and exciting ideas
- Move quickly from one idea to
another
- Full of energy
- Don't want to sleep
- More interested in sex
- Make unrealistic plans
- Very overactive, talking quickly
- Irritable with other people who can't
go along with your mood and ideas
- Spending your money
- Lose insight and be unaware of how
'unwell' you are
|
In a severe mood swing, you can have
psychotic symptoms.
- When depressed, you may believe that you are evil or guilty,
that you are worse than anybody else, or even that you don't
exist.
- When manic, you may feel that you are on an important mission
or that you have special powers and abilities.
- You might also experience hallucinations - when you hear or see
something that isn’t there.
Treatment
- Treating a high: Lithium, antipsychotics and Sodium
Valproate are commonly used.
- Treating depression:
antidepressants should be used
carefully as they can make people go high. It's best to stop them
as soon as the depression goes away.
- Psychological treatments:
these can also help. Methods include:
- education: learning about the
condition and how to control it
- mood monitoring: you learn to
notice when your mood is starting to change
- strategies: to stop you mood
going out of control
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for
depression.
Self help
- Learn to spot the early warning signs so you can get help
early.
- Find out as much as you can about bipolar disorder.
- Be aware of how stress affects you.
- Have at least one person that you can rely on and confide in -
someone who can warn you if you think you are not well.
- Balance your life and work, leisure, and relationships.
- Do things that you enjoy and that give your life meaning.
- Don't stop medication suddenly.
- You may want to write an ‘advance directive’ with your doctor
and family to say how you want to be treated if you become unwell
again.
- Try to eat a healthy diet and to sleep well.
- If you drink alcohol, stick to the safe limits.
Helping someone else
- When someone is depressed, it can be difficult to know what to
say. They see everything in a negative light. Listen and try
to be patient and understanding.
- During mania, the person will appear to be happy, energetic and
outgoing. But the excitement of any social situations will risk
sending their mood even higher. Try to steer them away from parties
or heated discussions. Persuade them to get help.
- In between mood episodes, find out more about the condition. Go
to appointments with them (if they are willing). Make sure you give
yourself space and time to recharge your batteries.
This leaflet is made available through the generosity of the
Charitable Monies Allocation Committee of the mental health charity
St Andrew's, Northampton
© November 2012. Due for review:
November 2014. Royal College of Psychiatrists. You can link
to, download, print, photocopy and distribute this leaflet free of
charge. But you must not change it or repost it on a website.
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our
FAQ for
advice on getting help.
Please answer the following questions and press 'submit' to send your answers OR
E-mail your responses to dhart@rcpsych.ac.uk
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