Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic depression, is charterized by extreme mood swings. The sufferer experiences feelings of sadness and hopelessness (depression) as well as feelings of irritability or huge elation (mania). In between, they also have periods of normal mood.


As well as being distressing for the person affected, bipolar disorder usually affects their family, work and social life. The frequency and severity of the mood swings varies from person to person, but the disorder often makes it impossible to function properly in every day activities.



Who does it affect?
Bipolar disorder typically manifests itself in adolescence or early adulthood and can continue throughout a person's life. It is not always initially recognized as a serious disorder and people can suffer for years before a proper diagnosis is made. However, it very much IS a serious disorder and, like all forms of mental illness, it is not the sufferer's fault and they are not to blame.



What are the triggers?
Nearly anything can cause the person's mood to suddenly shift and sometimes there is no trigger at all. The person's first manic episode may be caused by an external point of stress they have experienced. However, one of the chief characteristics of bipolar disorder is that the moond swings do not usually have an obvious cause.



What is the treatment?
Fortunately, much is now known about the causes and treatment of bipolar disorder. The best form of treatment involves a combination of both medication and psychotherapy, because is it known that there are biological and psychological components to every bipolar disorder. With proper treatment, there is no reason why someone with bipolar disorder cannot go on to lead a normal life.



Statistics
It is estimated that bipolar disorder affects up to 2 million Americans at any one time. (0.8%).

I was diagnosed with a borderline personality and "signs" (whatever that means) of bipolar disorder. BUT, the Air Force doesn't know that *cough cough* I take off-insurance meds for that .

I was diagnosed with bipolar over a year ago. I started taking medication and have done a lot better. Modern medicine is a marvel. But if you asked me to explain what bipolar is I couldn't say exactly. Friends ask sometimes. There is no easy answer.

I was told that i have bipolarism and I said "what?" and they said "yeah, you do" and i said
"i do, what?" and they said "you are bi polar" and i said "huh?" and they said "nevermind bipolar- you have ADHD" and i said "what?" and they said "here; take these pills" and i said "why?" and they said "cuz youre sick, in the head" and i said " i dont feel sick." and they said "well you ARE" and i said "F**K off." and they said "you have to take these pills cuz youre bi polar and without these pills you are a threat to society." and i said "i thought i was ADHD?" and they said "oh yeah, that AND bi polar" and i said "and if i take these pills I wont be able to see life in my own perspections? which leads to wonders of the mind and spirit? i wont be able to think differently and express myself the way that is natural to me and that "natural way" of mine happens to fit into a box that you have checked off as ADHD and Bipolar, which would- if i take these pills- make my reality into what you consider reality Should be, right?" and they said "hold on, maybe youre not ADHD or bipolar...in fact Anonymust We think you are Brilliant! and being more brilliant then US is a situation that we dont stand for, therefore.... we must kill your body if we cant kill it with our happy pills." and i said "fine! I'll take the damn pills, what are they? Adderall? GOOD" and they said "why good now?" and i said "Cuz I'll be selling these pills."

When bipolar swings me, swung me, into a depression I could not control, of despair and torment, I went with the red pill. I exchange my rite to drink alcohol for being a stable body, who has motivation to do stuff. Stay in school!