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Bipolar Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?
 Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder
where the patient suffers from episodes
of euphoria and high energy, known as
mania, and episodes of depression

Symptoms and Results of Bipolar Disorder
 Bipolar disorder’s only major symptoms are the
extreme mood swings that the patient experiences
 However, these can have terrible effects on a
person’s life, such as poor job performance,
damaged social lives, and even suicide during
episodes of depression

Graphic Representation of Bipolar Disorder
 The symptoms of Bipolar
disorder can affect
behavior and cognitive
functions

People affected with the disorder
 Bipolar disorder usually occurs during the late teen
and early adult life, with at least half of the cases
occurring before the age of 25

Diagnosis
 Bipolar disorder can last a life time
 The symptoms can also come back over time
 Doctors diagnose Bipolar disorder using the DSM
guidelines
 To be diagnosed with the disorder, a patient must
suffer from major changes from one’s normal mood
or behavior

Types of Bipolar disorder
 Bipolar I: Manic episodes last at least 7 days, or are so sever
that the patient must be hospitalized. Depression lasts
about 2 weeks.
 Bipolar II: Depressive episodes occur in a pattern, but
manic episodes do not occur.
 Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS):
Symptoms of illness exist, but do not meet criteria for
Bipolar I or II.
 Cyclothymic Disorder: mild form of bipolar disorder,
patient has episodes of mania or depression lasting 2 years

Risk Factors
 The cause of Bipolar disorder is currently unknown.
 However, studies show that there is not necessarily
one single cause.
 Multiple factors may play a part in the onset of
Bipolar disorder

Genetics
 Bipolar disorder is genetic, with certain genes
making it more likely that a person will develop the
disorder.
 However, genes are not the only risk; in twin studies,
identical twins do not always both develop the
disorder

Co-Existing Illness
 People with Bipolar disorder commonly suffer from
substance abuse.
 Anxiety disorders can also occur, including PTSD
and social phobias.
 ADHD can co-occur with the disorder as well.

Effects on Brain Structure
 People with Bipolar disorder have very different
brains from people without it.
 The prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision
making, of people with Bipolar disorder are smaller
than normal.

Treatment
 Bipolar disorder cannot be completely cured
 However, it can be treated for the long term with
mood stabilizers such as Lithium.
 Keeping a daily life chart and noting mood daily
mood symptoms.

Side Affects of Treatment
 The side affects of lithium can include:
 Restlessness
 Dry mouth
 Bloating/indigestion
 Brittle fingernails
 Discomfort in the cold
 Muscle and joint pain

Details About the Disorder

Manic Stage
 The manic stage of bipolar disorder feels wonderful! All
of the sudden, I get a sudden burst of energy and feel like
I can conquer the world.
 Occasionally, I also go on shopping sprees that can be
quite harmful to my credit card. Sometimes, I buy things
without even thinking about it!
 During my manic stages, I also partake in some
substance abuse, more specifically cocaine. This makes
the stage feel even more vivid! This stage lasts about 5
days for me, all 5 of which are wonderful.
 When in a manic stage, I completely forget about my
depression!

Depressive Stage
 These stages are the worst. I feel so miserable, I
rarely leave my bed. I sometimes contemplate
suicide as well. The whole day feels like I’m trapped
in an empty void. These stages tend to last 2 weeks.
 The only thing I can think about during this stage is
when I’ll begin to feel normal again. I also partake in
substance abuse, but during this stage I consume
marijuana to ease the depression and get through the
day.

Treatment
 My doctor makes me take lithium for the disorder.
When I do take it, my manic stages are shorter and
less intense, which is awful. However, my depressive
stages are somewhat better.
 My normal stages occur more frequently and last
longer. It also eases the anxiety I feel in the normal
stage.
 I believe that the positives of the medication
outweigh the cost, and I have even stopped using
drugs, so I will continue to take it.

Normal Stage
 Sometimes, I am in neither a depressive or manic
state. I feel what most people would consider
“normal”.
 However, this does not mean I feel fine. On the other
hand, I become anxious about when I will enter my
next depressive stage and ashamed of the things I
had done in my previous manic stage.
 Feeling “normal” does not last very long, but when it
does occur, it lasts for a few days, and feels just as
bad as a depressive stage.

Side Effects
 Some of the side-effects of the lithium have been
dreadful. For example, I can no longer stand being in
cold weather, so winters are painful. It has also been
hard to get around because my muscles ache.
 Despite this, the treatment is starting to work even
more, making these side effects irrelevant.

Post-Treatment
 I have been taking the lithium medication for several
years now, and I can hardly tell the difference
between my manic and depressive stages!
 Most of the time, I feel normal, and the wild
shopping sprees have stopped altogether.

Social Life
 Before my treatment, I had almost no friends outside
of my family. Those I had before my symptoms
developed began to be unable to stand me.
 During manic stages, I would annoy my old friends,
and during depressive stages, I refused to hang out
with them.
 Once I began taking my medication, I was easier to
be around and have long term relationships with.

Career
 I did not have an occupation before my symptoms
began to take effect. However, once they did, it was
clear that I could not hold a job.
 I applied for a few during manic stages, but they
would usually call me back during depressive stages,
so I would just not answer the phone.
 Although I did land some jobs, I usually quit them
during a depressive stage or got fired for being off
task in a manic stage.
 After my treatment, I was able to get a job and stay
employed in it! I work as an accountant to this day!