Hello everyone,
It's been quite a while since I've posted, but I really don't have anything new to say. I'm still waiting for my appointment with the kidney specialist (in July). I'm on the same medications (Abilify and Carbamazepine) which are taking the edge off, but aren't totally stabilizing. I have my good days and my bad days (both physically and mentally) so I'm just trying to get through the days right now. Overall I've been feeling better; I've been getting out almost everyday for walks or to hang out with family or friends. On my bad days though, I don't get off the couch. But I'm trying to think positively! :)
However, I've been talking about my illness a lot recently (I've met a lot of new people) and I found the article below, and thought it may be helpful to explain my illness to those who don't know/don't understand. I'm going to put my own thoughts in brackets. I'll post again after I've seen the specialist and (hopefully) know what direction we're going in.
Hope you all are well.
8 Common Bipolar Questions Answered
With more than 2 million Americans alone suffering from bipolar symptoms, it is little wonder so many people have questions about this condition. This serious mental illness can be rather scary to confront, but arming oneself with the right answers to some of the most common questions is one of the first places to start to help deal with it.
What does bipolar mean?
Bipolar disorder is a biological/mental illness that tends to result in very wide mood swings. People who suffer from the disorder are known to go through manic highs and depressed lows. The symptoms can be very troubling for the patient and loved ones, as well.
What happens during manic swing?
When a manic episode is under way, a person is extremely up. This condition can lead to the mind racing, the mood elevating greatly and risk-taking that is beyond the norm. While this might sound like a "fun," person, the reality is many people in the throes of manic swings go without sleep, overestimate their abilities and can even hurt themselves or others inadvertently through their actions.
(Many people think of manic as being "happy" but that is FAR from the truth. When I'm manic I'm unable to sleep, my mind races constantly, I spend money non-stop, and I hurt myself and everyone around me. Every major bad decision I've made in my life, I've made while I'm manic. I feel totally and completely out of control.)
What does bipolar mean?
Bipolar disorder is a biological/mental illness that tends to result in very wide mood swings. People who suffer from the disorder are known to go through manic highs and depressed lows. The symptoms can be very troubling for the patient and loved ones, as well.
What happens during manic swing?
When a manic episode is under way, a person is extremely up. This condition can lead to the mind racing, the mood elevating greatly and risk-taking that is beyond the norm. While this might sound like a "fun," person, the reality is many people in the throes of manic swings go without sleep, overestimate their abilities and can even hurt themselves or others inadvertently through their actions.
(Many people think of manic as being "happy" but that is FAR from the truth. When I'm manic I'm unable to sleep, my mind races constantly, I spend money non-stop, and I hurt myself and everyone around me. Every major bad decision I've made in my life, I've made while I'm manic. I feel totally and completely out of control.)
What characterizes a depressed swing?
During this phase of the disorder, a person's mood plummets. The signs and symptoms of clinical depression are frequent, such as isolation, loss of appetite, sleeping too much and even thoughts of suicide.
(I also become extremely paranoid and clingy-thinking no one likes me, and that everyone is moving on with their lives and leaving me behind. A very hard thing for my family-Chris especially-to deal with. When I'm very depressed I rarely get out of bed, nothing seems worthwhile, and I just want to die. It's a horrible feeling.)
Can anyone get bipolar disorder?
Yes, this mental illness does not seem to pay heed to boundaries such as class, race, ethnic group or even sex. It is an equal opportunity condition.
(Though in my family it runs only on the female side. I should also mention it's impossible to "get" Bipolar-it's NOT contagious. Believe or not I've been asked that.)
What age does this condition arise?
The main symptoms of the disorder tend to show up in the teens to early 20s, but that doesn't mean they won't strike earlier or later. The signs and symptoms, if present, should be cause for concern at any age.
(My Mom was diagnosed in her 30's-but that was because the information about Bipolar was so limited. I was diagnosed at 17, which is a normal age to be diagnosed.)
The main symptoms of the disorder tend to show up in the teens to early 20s, but that doesn't mean they won't strike earlier or later. The signs and symptoms, if present, should be cause for concern at any age.
(My Mom was diagnosed in her 30's-but that was because the information about Bipolar was so limited. I was diagnosed at 17, which is a normal age to be diagnosed.)
What causes the disorder?
Those who are bipolar tend to have an imbalance of neurotransmitters in their brains. There is no known cause for the imbalance, but the reality is when these chemicals are out of synch, this disorder can appear, making it a biological illness with psychological symptoms.
(Tons of research is being done on Bipolars and Bipolar Illness, and I hope my generation finds out the true cause, because when the true cause is figured out, the likelihood of finding a cure or better medications is that much higher.)
Are their risk factors?
Yes. There does seem to be a strong family tie that goes along with this condition. People with parents or siblings who have bipolar syndrome are more likely to develop it. This does not, however, mean that everyone with a family tie will present with bipolar symptoms. It just means the risk is higher. (Also, Bipolar tends to go along with other mental illness-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder etc. All the mental disorders seem to stem from the same part of the brain, so having multiple conditions is very common.)
Can the condition be treated?
Yes. There are medications that can help bring the chemical level in the brain back into balance. The condition cannot be cured, however. To effectively manage it and enjoy a normal life, those with the condition generally require lifelong medical care. Living with bipolar symptoms can be a rather scary roller coaster ride for the patient and loved ones, as well. Although this is a chronic condition without cure, there are viable treatments that can help keep the symptoms in check. When this is achieved, it is more than possible for a person suffering from this condition to lead a normal life.
(A "normal" life for a Bipolar almost always means multiple medications, relapses, long periods of time off work, and hospitalizations-often many times).
Yes. There does seem to be a strong family tie that goes along with this condition. People with parents or siblings who have bipolar syndrome are more likely to develop it. This does not, however, mean that everyone with a family tie will present with bipolar symptoms. It just means the risk is higher. (Also, Bipolar tends to go along with other mental illness-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder etc. All the mental disorders seem to stem from the same part of the brain, so having multiple conditions is very common.)
Can the condition be treated?
Yes. There are medications that can help bring the chemical level in the brain back into balance. The condition cannot be cured, however. To effectively manage it and enjoy a normal life, those with the condition generally require lifelong medical care. Living with bipolar symptoms can be a rather scary roller coaster ride for the patient and loved ones, as well. Although this is a chronic condition without cure, there are viable treatments that can help keep the symptoms in check. When this is achieved, it is more than possible for a person suffering from this condition to lead a normal life.
(A "normal" life for a Bipolar almost always means multiple medications, relapses, long periods of time off work, and hospitalizations-often many times).
For more information on bipolar, try visiting http://www.bipolardetails.com - a website that specializes in providing bipolar related tips and resources to include information on bipolar.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Davis
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