BIPOLAR DISORDER

By: Julie Cooper

Grace Deatherage

Charlie Miller

Kiersten Gallagher

Lance Rodriguez

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT HAPPENS?

• Mental illness that causes shifts in mood, energy, and the ability to function.

• Episodes of mania and depression

• Chemical imbalance of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.

CAUSES

(These are the main known causes of bipolar. Doctors are not 100% sure where all cases come from)

• Genetic factor

• Environmental factor

• Trauma/accident

• Biological difference

• Hormones

SYMPTOMS• Depression/anger

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable

• Significant weight loss/change in appetite

• Difficulty sleeping/severe insomnia

• Periods of high and low energy

• Feelings of worthlessness/inappropriate guilt

• Poor concentration and intuition

• State of psychosis/break from reality

• Racing thoughts/nonstop talking

• Increased sexual drive

• “Spending sprees”

PREVENTION

It’s not known how to prevent bipolar but some steps may help.

• Taking fish oil (fatty acid DHA)

-Study with mice that have bipolar

• Controlling stress

When diagnosed with bipolar, some steps to prevent episodes are:

• Pay attention to warning signs

• Avoid drugs and alcohol

• Take medications exactly as directed

• Check first before taking other medications

SUPPORT

• Family

• Friends

• Doctors

• DBSA

• Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. (Sacramento)

• Bridges to Recovery (Los Angeles)

• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

• Hotlines: National Hopeline Network- (800) 442-HOPE (4673)

Youth America Hotline- (877) 968-8454

FACTS

• Estimated 2.5 million people are affected by bipolar disorder.

• 90% of bipolar disorder start before the age 20.

• More than two-thirds of people with bipolar have one close relative who may share the same illness.

• Consumers who report high levels of satisfaction with their treatment and treatment provider have a much more positive outlook about their illness and their ability to cope with it. (DBSA, 1999)

• Women tend to have more episodes of depression while men tend to have more episodes of anger.

QUIZ

1. Name at least one chemical in the brain that affects people with bipolar.

2. Name 2 causes of bipolar.

3. Name at least 2 symptoms of bipolar.

4. What are two places that someone with bipolar can go for help?

5. Roughly how many Americans are affected by bipolar each year?