Bipolar Disorder Abigail Kolbe

General Information 2.6 million American adults have bipolar disorder Dramatic mood swings Overly high/irritated Sad and hopeless

General Information Mood swings Affects men and women equally Starts ages 15-25 Cause is unknown Occurs more often when relatives had it

Bipolar Disorder Could occur Few times a year As often as several times a day Could be controlled by medications and psychological counseling

Bipolar Disorder Goes by many names manic depression manic-depressive disorder manic-depressive illness bipolar mood disorder bipolar affective disorder medical terms for the same condition

Bipolar Disorder depressive disorders based on the way the brain functions widespread 1 in 7 people have depressive disorders 17.4 million

Type I At least one manic episode and periods of major depression Manic depression Name in the past

Type II Never had full mania Periods of high energy levels and impulsiveness that are not extreme Called hypomania Periods that are not as extreme as mania Periods of hypomania alternate with episodes of depression

Cyclothymia Less severe mood swings Alternate between hypomania and mild depression Many are wrongly diagnosed as having depression

Symptoms Severe changes in energy/behavior Called “episodes” Episodes of mania and depression Often not reconized as an illness Could suffer years before being treated and diagnosed Typically starts in late adolescence early adulthood

Symptoms Mood swings Lows of depression Highs of mania Feel sad or hopeless Lose interest or pleasure in most activities Other way feel euphoric Full of energy

Diagnosed: Cannot be diagnosed physiologically Diagnosis based on Symptoms Course of illness Family history No cure

Treatment Manageable with psychotherapy and medication Mood stability medications Seizure disorders Antipsychotics and antidepressants Support, guidance, education Difference between depression and bipolar disorder Presence of manic episodes Not fully depressed 100% of the time

Treatment Avoid moving from one phase to another Avoid the need for hospital stay Help patient function normally in between episodes Prevent self-injury and suicide

Treatment Antidepressant medications can be added to treat depression However more likely to have manic episodes hypomanic episodes only used in people who also take a mood stabilizer.

The following drugs, called mood stabilizers, are usually used first: Carbamazepine Lamotrigine Lithium Valproate (valproic acid) Antipsychotic drugs and anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) for mood problems

Symptoms of mania include: Increased energy, activity, restlessness Euphoric mood Extreme irritability Poor concentration Racing thoughts, fast talking, jumping between ideas Sleeplessness Heightened sense of self-importance Spending sprees Increased sexual behavior Abuse of drugs, such as cocaine, alcohol and sleeping medications Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior Denial that anything is wrong

Symptoms of mania include: racing speech and thoughts increased energy decreased need for sleep elevated mood and exaggerated optimism increased physical and mental activity excessive irritability, aggressive behavior, and impatience poor judgment reckless behavior, like excessive spending, making rash decisions, and erratic driving difficulty concentrating inflated sense of self-importance

Symptoms of depression include: loss of interest in usual activities prolonged sad or irritable mood loss of energy or fatigue feelings of guilt or worthlessness sleeping too much or inability to sleep drop in grades and inability to concentrate inability to experience pleasure appetite loss or overeating anger, worry, and anxiety thoughts of death or suicide

Health Care Professionals psychiatrist specialist in preventing mental disorders can prescribe medication could prescribe therapy psychoanalyst provides therapy to get rid of negative energy leads to healthy, positive lifestyle psychologist diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses non-medical treatments refers patient to psychiatrist when medicine is needed

Family History Great Grandma Grandma had bipolar disorder very mild mood swings wasn't formally diagnosed Grandma also diagnosed depression throughout 20s diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Quote "I had mood swings that were the worst anyone could have ever seen. My poor parents thought I hated them, but really I was sick and didn't even realize it. But now I am on medications for my disorder and I live a pretty normal life. My family and friends support me, and they, along with my therapist, have helped me get to the point where I am today. I just want other teens to know that even though it is hard at times to be bipolar, things will get better."

Sources http://bbrfoundation.org/bipolar- disorder?gclid=CK2X5ofBhrYCFadFMgodRSAA CQ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/ PMH0001924 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar- disorder/DS00356 http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental _health/bipolar.html#