Bipolar Affective Disorder - Everything You Need to Know

by me and the sysop Bipolar affective disorder is a mood disorder that involves the sufferer having severe mood swings. It is also known as bipolar

Borderline Bipolar Bipolar Disorder

by me and the sysop

Bipolar affective disorder is a mood disorder that involves the sufferer having severe mood swings. It is also known as bipolar depression or manic depression. The victim suffers from long and deep depression which alternates with excessively elevated moods or mania. Some of the symptoms of mania include pressured speech, increased libido, less need for sleep, severe thought disturbances, grandiosity and impulsive behavior. During these periods victims can be very productive.

Statistics from Royal college of Psychiatrists show that about one percent of the population in the world suffer from Bipolar affective disorder, at one time in their lives. It also shows that the disorder is evident most in youth aged between the age of eighteen and twenty four. Some of the sufferers will experience one episode while others will experience many episodes of mania and depression. Some people may be more vulnerable to the disease while other not due to the genetic make up. Sickness, stress and lack of support may also trigger the disorder in some people.

There are different types of bipolar affective disorders, they include:

Bipolar affective disorder I - In this case the victim experiences an episode or episodes of elevated mood followed by depression. If the a keen diagnosis is done you should be a victim of bipolar affective disorder I
Bipolar affective disorder ii - This is the case where by you have an episode or episodes of depression followed by hypomania or a milder manic episode.
Rapid cycling bipolar disorder.-An individual is diagnosed with this type when the symptoms include, mood moves from high to depression in a few moments or quickly then back again in a quick movement.

Bipolar disorder may have mixed symptoms such as hypomania and depression at the same time. You may feel sad but have a lot of energy this is said to affect four out of ten of victims of bipolar affective disorder. Another symptom found in victims is psychosis, this is where you may find yourself having delusions or hallucinations which may make you unable to communicate with people. Cyclothymia is having mood swings that are not as severe as those in the two common bipolar disorders. It is also said to be an early symptom of bipolar affective disorder.

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Source : http://imentalhealth.net/mental-health-disorders/mood-disorders/bipolar-affective-disorder-everything-you-need-to-know

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Commonly question about Bipolar Affective Disorder - Everything You Need to Know

Question :

I need to find a PM Dr who understands the correlation between bipolar disorder and pain?

My family doctor recently was banned from prescribing ANY narcotics. I have been seeing him for years for low back pain, degenerative disc disease (DDD). I also suffer from bipolar affective disorder. One of my "triggers" for depression is uncontrolled or continuous pain. My family doctor talked with my psychiatrist and between the two was able to prescribe narcotics to treat my pain. FIRST I went through rounds of physical therapy, injections, non-narcotic pain relievers (which had zero effect), chiropractors, pain management (who determined that my MRI did not display enough pathology to justify the amount of pain I was claiming) and anything else my doctor tried. When in severe pain I become majorly depressed. When depressed I am completely debilitated and nearly catatonic, just focused on the pain. Fortunately vicodin helped and was prescribed on a regular basis. During episodes of major flare ups I was prescribed stronger drugs. I have been on 100mg Fentanyl, oxycontin and now morphine (ms contin). I have a very low tolerance for pain and an extremely high tolerance for narcotics or any drug that can cause drowsiness. I simply do not experience any drowsiness or mental clouding. My current cocktail for psych drugs is Lamactil, Geodon, Prozac, Wellbutrin and Topamax. I also have hypothyroidism (synthroid) that requires constant monitoring. I suffer from insomnia, sleeping 1 to 3 hours a night (ambien, melatonin, valerian root). I have prn RX for valium and flexeril. I am 50 years old and have been very involved and educated for the last twenty years in my bipolar disorder. I have numerous in-hospital stays for severe depression and safety. I have made 3 suicide attempts (2 half-heartedly, the last lethal and deadly serious), I have had 13 ECT treatments. I lost my job 10 years ago from missing too much work due to depression. And mania? I could write a book. Suffice to say I have been risky promiscuous, caused bankruptcy. So anyone who knows even a little about bipolar disorder can understand how important it is for me to stay regulated and on my maintenance drugs. It has taken years to find the right cocktail that works. The current one I am on, I havent had a "major" depressive episode in over a year. Now, it is well documented that pain is one of my triggers for depression. It is extremely important that my pain be managed just as it is important for my mental illness to be managed. Back to the beginning of my post: my family doctor was able to write one RX for my current pain meds and made a referral to pain management doctor. The pain management doctor didnt let me finish my sentences. Half way through our initial consultation he walked out and said he felt like he was being forced into a situation he didnt want to be in and went to make some phone calls??? When he came back is only offer was a 30 day withdrawl treatment program. I called the only other pain management clinic within a 50 mile radius of home. They require a referral, medical records and pre-registration (insurance) BEFORE they will even make an appointment. I am pursuing this but without much hope. I have enough pain meds for ten more days (until 1-20-2012). And then what? After I got home from the pain management appointment I sat down and wrote the PM doctor a letter trying to explain everything I wasnt able to say during our appointment. I copied my family doctor and psychiatrist on the letter. He has not responded. Was writing a 2 1/2 page letter to this doctor wrong? Does anyone have any suggestions? I live in the north Milwaukee Wisconsin area. I appreciate any HELPFUL suggestions.

Answer :
I d suggest seeing someone who is in the Chronic Pain Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. This might be a bit of a trip for you, but may be worth it. In fact, in RIC s chronic pain program, all patients are REQUIRED to have psychological evaluation. The PM and R docs here understand the relationship between chronic pain and affective disorders.

Source(s):

I am a PT

Question :

I really need help with my mental disorders?

I m a 13 year old girl, and I ve always been majorly depressed. I was bullied very badly for over three years, and it s really left scars. I used to talk to the school guidance counselor, and she tested me for various mental disorders, without telling my parents, and it turns out I had quite a few. I tested positive for the following- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Bipolar Disorder, Dysthemia, Chronic Depression, and Major Depression. Theres probably a few more I forgot as well. My parents have no idea, and I think of myself as wearing a mask to the outside world. I guess I m a pretty good actress, because no one s ever guessed. I have a very distant relationship with my father, and my mother lives overseas, so I barely ever see her. Neither are bad parents, they just have no idea what s going on and would reject it out of hand if I told them. A year ago I was contemplating suicide, when a new kid moved to out town. We became pretty much instant best friends, and we were inseparable. I told him everything, and he s the only one who understands me. In truth, sometimes I thought I was in love with him, but I rejected that feeling a while back. Lately I ve become aware of the fact that I m really unnaturally dependent on him, and two weeks ago I found that he thinks the same thing. He wasn t mean, he just expressed his concern about the matter, and I haven t felt comfortable talking to him since. I don t want to depend on him by telling him whats going on with me, so I just haven t. He thinks its getting better, but it s not. Without him to talk to, after so long of finally having someone, I m practically drowning in my own negative emotions, and no one can see it, and theres nothing I can do about it. Today I was cutting something with scissors, and the scissors broke. Like, split into the two pieces. Instead of throwing them out like I usually would, I took one of the pieces and cut my arm with it. I don t mean to sound emo, but the pain felt good. I can t explain how. I m really scared with where this is headed, and I don t know what to do. No one would EVER view me as this person, I m too happy and silly on the outside. My dad thinks I m some sort of miracle child, because I never let my emotions bleed through, and he would NEVER believe me if he knew. He would be convinced it s just a ploy for attention. I don t feel comfortable going to the school guidance consoler, because the old one was replaced with this perky blonde barbie lady. I also can t talk to my friend, and I just don t know what to do anymore.

Answer :
First of all... your guidance counselor is NOT qualified to diagnose you with a mental disorder... only a psychiatrist can do that so you likely do not have all of those disorders. However, something is obviously going on and you need to talk to someone about it. The best person would be your father as he can get you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist.... You only other option is to join a support group (there are really good ones at www.dailystrength.org) or wait until you are 18 and go for help yourself.

Question :

I don t know how to handle my mental disorders anymore, and I really need help?

I m a 13 year old girl, and I ve always been majorly depressed. I was bullied very badly for over three years, and it s really left scars. I used to talk to the school guidance counselor, and she tested me for various mental disorders, without telling my parents, and it turns out I had quite a few. I tested positive for the following- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Bipolar Disorder, Dysthemia, Chronic Depression, and Major Depression. Theres probably a few more I forgot as well. My parents have no idea, and I think of myself as wearing a mask to the outside world. I guess I m a pretty good actress, because no one s ever guessed. I have a very distant relationship with my father, and my mother lives overseas, so I barely ever see her. Neither are bad parents, they just have no idea what s going on and would reject it out of hand if I told them. A year ago I was contemplating suicide, when a new kid moved to out town. We became pretty much instant best friends, and we were inseparable. I told him everything, and he s the only one who understands me. In truth, sometimes I thought I was in love with him, but I rejected that feeling a while back. Lately I ve become aware of the fact that I m really unnaturally dependent on him, and two weeks ago I found that he thinks the same thing. He wasn t mean, he just expressed his concern about the matter, and I haven t felt comfortable talking to him since. I don t want to depend on him by telling him whats going on with me, so I just haven t. He thinks its getting better, but it s not. Without him to talk to, after so long of finally having someone, I m practically drowning in my own negative emotions, and no one can see it, and theres nothing I can do about it. Today I was cutting something with scissors, and the scissors broke. Like, split into the two pieces. Instead of throwing them out like I usually would, I took one of the pieces and cut my arm with it. I don t mean to sound emo, but the pain felt good. I can t explain how. I m really scared with where this is headed, and I don t know what to do. No one would EVER view me as this person, I m too happy and silly on the outside. My dad thinks I m some sort of miracle child, because I never let my emotions bleed through, and he would NEVER believe me if he knew. He would be convinced it s just a ploy for attention. I don t feel comfortable going to the school guidance consoler, because the old one was replaced with this perky blonde barbie lady. I also can t talk to my friend, and I just don t know what to do anymore.

Answer :
For being only 13 years old, you have excellent grammar and vocabulary skills. :) Anyway, I d recommend just talking with your friend all about this. I m sure he d understand. Also, if you can, get a therapist or a psychiatrist. Sometimes, an unbiased opinion is what you need in cases like these. (I m also one of those people who you don t suspect to get depressed too. I feel your pain.)

Source(s):

Had the same problem too. Therapy really helped and so did the medication. lol