Bi-Polar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterised by extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to function on a day to day basis. The symptoms are different from the ‘normal’ ups and downs that we all experience, and can be that severe as to greatly affect relationships, jobs or school and in some cases even result in suicide.
Bipolar disorder often develops in late teens and early adult years, with approximately 50% of all Australian cases diagnosed before the age of 25 years.
Early on, bipolar disorder can be difficult to recognise, as the symptoms may seem like a series of separate troubles and not be seen as part of a larger problem. As such, some people can suffer for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is an illness that needs to be carefully managed throughout a person’s life, but it is important to know that bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives (National Institute of Mental Health, 2013).
Causes of bipolar:
The exact causes of bipolar are to date still not fully understood. The onset of bipolar disorder is often linked to stressful major life events, and factors that are believed to play a role in developing this disorder can include genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain, environmental factors and sometimes medical illnesses. While environmental factors such as stress, medical issues and substance abuse may not be the sole cause of bipolar, they can certainly contribute to a large extent. It is also observed that seasonal factors appear to play a role in the onset of bipolar disorder, with the likelihood of onset increasing in spring. This is thought to be because of the rapid increase in daylight hours triggering depression and mania by affecting the pineal gland, which is responsible for the release of melatonin (Black Dog Institute, 2012)
Mood Changes:
People with bipolar disorder may experience unusually intense emotional states. An overly joyful or overexcited state is referred to as a ‘manic’ episode, and a feeling of extreme sadness or helplessness is called a ‘depressive’ episode. Sometimes a mood episode may include both mania and depression.
Behavioural Changes:
Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behaviour go along with these changes in mood. A person experiencing a manic episode may talk very fast, jump from one idea to another and be easily distracted. They may be restless, sleep little and take part in high risk behaviours such as drug and alcohol abuse. People experiencing depressive episodes may feel overly tired and have problems concentrating or remembering things. They may be excessively irritable and have frequently changing habits regarding such things as eating and sleeping. In extreme cases they may have thoughts of death or even attempt suicide.
Other illnesses that may co-exist with bipolar disorder:
Substance abuse and subsequent addiction problems are common among people diagnosed with bipolar. While some people with bipolar disorder may attempt to cope by using drugs or alcohol, substance abuse itself may also ‘trigger’ bipolar symptoms. This can create a myriad of other behavioural problems.
Physical illness which may be a higher risk for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder might include thyroid disease, heart disease, diabetes and obesity, and this can make it hard to diagnose and treat bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder need to monitor their physical and mental health. If a symptom does not get better with treatment, they should seek further medical advice (National Institute of Mental Health, 2013).
Helping a relative or friend who has bipolar disorder:
The first and most important thing to do is to help the person obtain a comprehensive assessment and find the most suitable treatment for them. Ongoing encouragement is also beneficial.
To help a relative or friend, you can:
· Offer emotional support, understanding and patience
· Learn as much as possible about the disorder to gain an understanding or empathy of what the person is going through
· Be as open as possible to talk to the person and listen with compassion
· Be aware of situations that may trigger symptoms for the person
· Encourage the person to develop a wellness plan that suits them
· Always remind the person that with time and treatment, things can get better
· Most importantly, never ignore comments from the person in regards to harming him or herself
Support for caregivers:
Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder is not only difficult for the person, but can also have a big impact on the caregiver. Relatives and friends have to cope with the person’s behavioural problems during times of manic and depressive episodes and these behaviours can often have lasting consequences for the caregiver.
In taking care of the medical and emotional needs of their loved ones, caregivers need to deal with how this may affect their own health. The stress that a caregiver is placed under can lead to physical and mental exhaustion and thus make it harder to cope with a loved one’s bipolar symptoms. If a carer is visibly under a lot of stress, this may have an effect on the person they are caring for being able to follow their wellness plan, which can increase the chance of relapse. It is important that people caring for those with bipolar disorder also take care of themselves, be aware of how they are feeling both physically and emotionally, and seek medical or therapeutic advice if necessary (National Institute of Mental Health, 2013).
References:
Black Dog Institute. (2012). Causes of Bipolar. Retrieved 23 May, 2013, from http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/CausesofBipolarDisorder.pdf
National Institute of Mental Health. (2013). Retrieved 23 May, 2013, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
David PetersPage 2