Female
19 years old
Urmston, Manchester
United Kingdom
Last Login: 10/10/2007
This page has been created to help bring awareness, and abolish the stigma surrounding Bipolar Affective Disorder.
Understanding.
Bipolar Affective Disorder (previously known as Manic Depression) is a serious mental illness which categorises severe, uncontrollable changes in mood.
Everyone experiences highs and lows. But for a person with Bipolar Disorder, these changes in mood can be so extreme, that they interfere with their day to day life, and sometimes can be very dangerous.
A person with Bipolar Disorder can wake up one day and feel so depressed they struggle to even get out of bed. They may find it hard to talk or eat.
The next day, the same person can wake up and feel great; and as if they have endless energy.
Types of Bipolar Affective Disorder.
Bipolar I Disorder — In this type, you have had at least one episode of mania or mixed mood and often experience depression too. In between, your mood may be normal. Sometimes your mood swings happen when the seasons change.
Bipolar II Disorder — In this type, you have had at least one episode of depression and at least one period of hypomania. Hypomania is a milder form of mania. In between, your mood may be normal. Sometimes your mood swings happen when the seasons change.
Cyclothymic Disorder — This is a milder form of bipolar disorder. You may go back and forth between mild depression and a slightly elevated mood. But your mood swings are shorter and less severe. Many people with Cyclothymic Disorder go on to have a stronger type of bipolar disorder. This doesn’t happen to everyone, though.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified — This type of bipolar disorder is when you do not fit into the types mentioned above. The feelings of bipolar disorder vary from person to person.
Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder - Some people have what is called “rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.†This means they have had 4 or more periods of mania and/or depression in a year.
Causes and Risk Factors.
Scientists don’t really know what causes bipolar disorder. They do think that family history plays a role. Most people with bipolar disorder have a relative with the same condition or with some other mood disorder.
But family history alone does not cause someone to have bipolar disorder. We don’t yet know what those other things are.
This is what we DO know about bipolar disorder:
Bipolar Disorder most often starts in teenagers and young adults. But it also can occur in children and older adults.
Bipolar Disorder equally affects people of all races and backgrounds.
Special chemicals in the brain may be involved. If the levels of these chemicals are out of balance, it may be harder for brain cells to work as they should.
Bipolar disorder also could be connected to hormone levels. Hormones are chemicals in the body that do certain things. Experts have noticed a link between thyroid hormone levels and bipolar disorder.
Also, certain parts of the brain may have a different size or shape in people with bipolar disorder. The changes could be a cause or symptom of the illness.
In some cases, other illnesses may play a role in bipolar disorder.
Friends and Family.
This page is for you!
When someone close to you has bipolar disorder, it can be very hard. Helping to care for the person takes time, patience, and understanding.
At times you may feel like you are responsible for making this person well, but you're not. Your support is just one part of this person's treatment.
To help, it's important that you learn all you can about bipolar disorder. Your knowledge of the illness and how it is treated can make a difference. It can give your loved one a unique, personal, and loving source of support.
