Thursday, April 17, 2008

Favorite Resource To Help Manage Biopolar Disorder

This book gets 5 *****'s as a great resource to help people understand and manage bipolar, be it for themself or a loved one.

Sometimes people with bipolar disorder think that they are imagining that they have it. The disease itself contributes to that misconception. This easy to understand book reads more like a magazine and plainly explains what happens when you have bipolar, what to expect, and what you can do about it.

Read this review by a patient:

"Simply put, this book has changed my life. After years of being in denial about my illness, or perhaps more correctly-in confusion about my illness, I picked this book up this summer and could not put it down. David Miklowitz warms up to the reader like a small town country doctor, who comes into your living room, holds your hand, looks right into your eyes-and tells you exactly what's wrong with you. He doesn't frighten you with jargon or condescending academic mumbo-jumbo or scientific psychobabble. His tone is friendly, calming, and his concepts accessible, even when he explains the biochemical basis for bipolar disorder. I particularly like how he peppers every chapter with small capsules of what other bipolars have gone through in their own words. The book is a must for every bipolar's library-newly diagnosed, veterans, those still in denial. Relatives, loved ones, friends, and professionals working in the field with bipolar disorder patients will find it an excellent resource as well."

Check it out here - there may even be a used copy you can get for a discount!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Exploring the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is an illness of severe mood swings. Mania and depression are the highs and lows of this disorder. Typically it is diagnosed in young adults age 18 years and older. It affects men and women equally. The disorder can run in families.

Although the effects of this illness can be severe and difficult to deal with many people who are bipolar are able to lead full and productive lives. If you or a loved one has this disorder, there is help available. In some ways it's not that much different than managing an illness like diabetes.

The very first step in dealing with bipolar disorder and those that have it is to get a good understanding of the symptoms. There are four different type of mood episodes, each with their own unique symptoms.

Mania

  • Person feels all-powerful. May have hallucinations or delusions of grandeur.
  • Euphoria - feels excessively optimistic, on top of the world.
  • Extremely irritable - angry with aggressive or provocative actions.
  • Restless - unable to concentrate, easily distracted.
  • Unusually talkative - talks fast, feels a need to keep talking.
  • Less need for sleep - goes for days on very little or no sleep.
  • High risk behavior - pleasure seeking, involvement in high risk actions like sex, drugs, gambling, etc.
  • Extremely energetic - feelings of creativity and increased productiveness.
  • Aggressive behavior - rudeness, causes trouble.
  • Poor judgment - reckless, impulsive, no idea of abnormal behavior.
Hypomania

  • Milder form of mania - less severe, not as difficult to function normally.
  • Euphoria - feels productive and energetic.
  • Can do day-t0-day activities - no delusions or hallucinations.
  • Very agreeable - may seem to be in an usually good mood.
  • Often turns spirals into a full-blown manic episode, followed by major depression.
Depression

  • Fatigue - loss of energy, may move and speak slowly.
  • Depressed - hopeless, sad, feels empty.
  • Loses interest in previous pleasurable activities - sex, hobbies, social activities.
  • Restless - unable to sit still, nervousness.
  • Change in sleep pattern - oversleeps or has insomnia.
  • Weight and appetite changes - may have significant weight gain or loss.
  • Problems with memory - can't concentrate, difficulty making decisions.
  • Feelings of worthlessness - very critical and hard on themself, dislikes self.
Mixed Episodes (Mania and Depression)

  • Full blown symptoms of both mania and depression.
  • May alternate between the two extremes or suffer affects of both at the same time.
  • Mixes irritability and the low moods of depression with the agitation of mania.
  • Combination of high energy mixed with depression make suicide a high risk.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

7 Tips To Managing Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing the symptoms of bipolar disorder in yourself or someone close to you is an important first step. After that, you might ask yourself, how do I cope with this?

Here are some suggestions that have proved helpful for others with bipolar disorder:
  1. Very important - regulate your sleep habits! Getting enough is important but it is even more critical to keep to the same schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Bad sleep habits may cause cycling.
  2. Eat your meals on a regular basis, without skipping. Try not to overeat, but have a balanced meal.
  3. Get some exercise daily. Find an activity you like, bicycling, walking, swimming, etc.
  4. Do not take street drugs and consult your doctor about drinking alcohol.
  5. Make a list of behaviors that signal the beginning of an episode. Whatever it is: carelessly spending money, inability to sleep, etc... if you are aware of it you can have a head start on getting help. Your doctor may be able to adjust your medications to stop a full-blown episode.
  6. Enlist the help of your family or those close to you. Work out a plan for what to do if you do go into a mood swing. It could be a lot of help if they are familiar with what doctor to call or if you may need to be hospitalized.
  7. Psychotherapy or talk therapy has proven to be very helpful. Very positive results have come about from a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Stumble it!

This article is for informational purposes only. Please seek medical advice from a qualified professional.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Families of loved ones with bipolar disorder need to understand how to deal with it on a day-to-day basis. Learn how to decrease "emotional triggers."
The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know

Self-help strategies and charts to help keep you on track. Find out from "real people" accounts how others are coping with this illness.
Bipolar Disorder for Dummies

Learn to focus on prevention. Provides holistic treatment plan showing how to pinpoint early warning signs.
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder

How to control bipolar disorder in a simple 6 step program. It might make you laugh and give you lots of ideas to make your life better.
Bipolar and the Art of Roller-Coaster Riding

Difficulty in maintaining employment and a steady income are not uncommon problems for those with bipolar disorder. Find out how to get a lifetime of monthly disability checks.
Social Security Disability for Bipolars