By: Traci Martin CMP 230 Information Literacy December 7,2008

My presentation will consist of the following points: 1. About Bipolar Disorder 2. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder 3. Bipolar Disorder Statistics 4. Children and Adolescents 5. Treatments for Bipolar Disorder 6. Helping someone with a Mood Disorder

 Bipolar Disorder is a treatable illness causing extreme changes in mood, such as thought, energy,and behavior.  Bipolar Disorder is also known as manic depression, because a person mood can alternate between the two “poles ”mania (high) and depression (lows).  These changes in mood are called “ Mood Swings” which can last for hours, days,weeks, or months.

 Bipolar Disorder differs significantly from clinical depression.  Most people that talk about bipolar disorders talk about “highs” and “lows”  These swings can be severe ranging from extreme energy to deep despair.

 Bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population 18 and older.  The disorder can affect spouses, family members, friends and people in the work place.  Bipolar disorder can start as early as childhood or as late as the 40s and 50s.

 An equal number of men and women develop the illness and it is found in all races, ethnic groups and social classes.  Bipolar Disorder tends to run in the family.  Two- thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least on relative with the illness or the unipolar major depression, indicating that the disease has a heritable compact.

 Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have bipolar.  About 20% of adolescents with major depression develop bipolar disorder within five years of onset depression.

 When manic, children and adolescents, in contrast with adults are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive outburst.  When depressed there may be physical complaints such as headaches, stomachaches or tiredness; poor performance in school, irritability, social isolation, and extreme sensitivity, to rejection or failure

 Although bipolar disorder is equally common in women and men, researches indicate that approximately three times as many women and men experience rapid cycling.  Other research finding indicate that women with bipolar disorder may have more depressive episodes and more mixed episodes then men with the illness

 Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world.(world health organization)  Work Related Issues: 1. tardiness and attendance 2. poor performance – such as the ability to complete and carry out task

 Support groups, medication, talk therapy, and hospitalization.  The most common medication to treat bipolar disorder is lithium.  Participation in treatments may reduce hospitalization.

 WHAT YOU CAN SAY:  You are not alone in this. I'm here for you.  When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold on for just one more day, hour, minute – whatever you can manage.  Tell me what I can do to help you.  I am here for you. We will get through this together.

 WHAT YOU SHOULD AVOID SAYING:  Its all in your head  You’ll be fine stop worrying  Look on the bright side.  I can’t do anything about your situation.  Just snap out of it.  Stop acting crazy.  What’s wrong with you?  Shouldn’t you be better by now?

 I learned four interesting facts while researching information on bipolar disorder.  I learned that a persons mood can alternate between the two poles of highs(mania) and lows(depression).  I learned that bipolar is equally common between men and women.  I learned that bipolar is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world  Bipolar disorder is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the disorder.

1. Du Rocher Schudlich,T., Youngstrom E., Calabrese,J., Findling,R. ( 2008). The Role Of Family Functioning in Bipolar Disorder in Families. Journal Of Abnormal Child Psychology,Vol. 36 Issue 6, p , 15p 5 charts, 1 graph. 2. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance ( 2007) Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved November 2, 2008, http//  3. Goldberg, J ( 2003) Raising a Moody Child: How to Cope With Depression and Bipolar Disorder. New York: Guilford Publications,Inc.

 4. Lederman,J., Fink, C., ( 2003) The Ups and Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child: A Survival Guide for parents. New York: Simon & Scushter Adult Publishing group  5. Upadhyaya,H. Fields, M. ( 2006) Retrieved October 7, 2008, from emedicine : from WebMD web site :