Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar DisorderBy: psychpseudonymone

What is Bipolar Disorder?

major mood swings that

go from depression to mania or both at the same time

After feeling so many high’s and low’s..

I knew I was bipolar.

It is stressful to know that I feel so different day to day…

and I cannot even control it.

Risk Factors

• Family relatives having bipolar disorder

• High Stress• Abusing drugs or alcohol• Traumatic events• Being fifteen through thirty in age

Drinking away my Drinking away my problems got me here.. problems got me here..

What if I hadn’t drank?What if I hadn’t drank?

What if I had found help earlier?What if I had found help earlier?

What if..? What if…. What if..? What if….

Causes• Brain differences• Imbalance of neurotransmitters

affect mood• Imbalance of hormones• Inheritance• Stress, substance abuse, or

trauma can trigger bipolar disorder

• Seasonal Changes

This all started after my promotion at work.. Too much stress for such a young person, I

guess. I can’t help my mood when I’m

under so much stress..

Mania

Feeling over energetic or very irritableCocky about what can or cannot do

Feeling hyper even without sleepExtremely chatty

Distracted Impulsive and reckless

Rapid speechThoughts jump around quickly

I have never actually experienced a true manic episode, according to

my doctor. Just really close.. I guess I just never get that

‘recklessness’ that the people with mania get.

Hypomania

• Not usually seen as a problem

• Very energetic

• Baseline

The days I feel super energetic.. I can shop or work for hours without feeling fatigue.. It’s crazy how much I can do on these days.

Wish there were more of these days.

Depression

Feeling hopeless

IrritablePessimistic

Loss of appetite and weightFatigue

Sluggish physically and mentally

Sleep problems

Lack of concentration

Feel worthless

Wanting to die

I usually feel depressed after stressful days of

work.. When I feel overwhelmed with work, I just want to curl up into a ball and die. I get so close, too.. I feel

worthless, unneeded, useless..

Mixed State

Symptoms of hypomania and depression

Depression withIrritabilityAgitationAnxietyInsomniaRacing thoughts

High energy and low mood = Suicide risks

At least on the days when I’m depressed, all

feelings are numbed away.

These days are the worst.. I feel so worthless but at the same time I have so much stress.

Suicide & Bipolar Disorder

• Speaking of dying • Feelings of hopelessness • Feeling like a burden • Putting life in danger• Saying goodbye • Finding weapons or pills to commit

suicide

When I feel like I cannot do anything at all, I just want to

die. I mean, who would miss me? I just wanna say goodbye and

disappear sometimes.. I do not really know what stops me..

Bipolar II

Do not have full manic episodesOnly experience hypomania and

depression

If has manic episodes, then has Bipolar I

I’ve come close to mania..

But I guess I’m just not crazy enough yet.

Ha. Ha. Ironic, isn’t it?

I can’t even reach the ‘ultimate level’ of mania

no matter how crazy I already feel..

Treatment

• Substance abuse treatment

• Psychotherapy• Electroconvulsiv

e therapy• Hospitalization

•Medication

–Lithium

–Anticolvulsants

–Antidepressants

–Antipsychotics

–Symbyax

–Benzodiazepines

Finally on medication.Please.

I hope. I wish. I pray.That this will work.