untitled
...zing the symptoms plays a crucial role in diagnosing bipolar disease (Lilly and Company). In the Health Encyclopedia of North Memorial Health Care, Anne Reyes describes the symptoms of the bipolar disease, “The symptoms of the manic and hypomanic phase of this condition include, a decreased need for sleep, irritability, increased activity, talkativeness, and an inflated sense of the self-importance, a tendency to be easily distracted, an increase in goal-directed activity at home, work or school, excessive involvement in high risk or consequence activities, such as spending sprees, unwise business ventures, and irresponsible sexual behavior. The depressive phase of this disorder is characterized by, low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, sadness and tearfulness nearly every day, suicidal thinking or frequent thoughts of death, decreased interest or pleasure in routine activities, weight loss or gain, insomnia, hyposomnia or sleeping too much and difficulty concentrating.” A person with bipolar disease shows at least four symptoms of each “pole.” A series of four or more manic or depressive episodes in twelve months is known as "rapid cycling," a condition that can be more difficult to treat. I at times felt as though my emotions went up and down within a day. Some of the mood changes were very rapid and unexpected; I could be laughing one minute and in seconds tears would form. I felt as though I had no control over my emotions. Life events can also initiate an episode. When a person is at risk for bipolar disorder, a serious event or illness can sometimes bring on an episode of mania or depression. These "triggers" include chronic illness, stress, hormonal changes, loss of a loved one, drug abuse, lack of sleep, hypothyroidism, and antidepressant medications; these can cause a manic episode if you are prone to bipolar disorder. There are also other conditions that associate with the bipolar disease which includes drug and alcohol abuse, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. About sixty-percent of people with bipolar disease have a drug or alcohol problem or dependency (wrongdiagnosis.com). I have abused drugs and alcohol and became dependent on marijuana at one time. I also have some forms of anxiety which can trigger and episode. People with this illness often spend years suffering before they are properly diagnosed. In July of 2000, a study conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), nearly seventy-percent of bipolar people surveyed said that they had been misdiagnosed. On average, they had seen four doctors before receiving the right diagnosis (Lilly and Company). I had not been diagnosed until last August of 2003. I had spent almost eighteen years suffering from my illness. Many people only concentrate on their “lows” and don’t recognize their “highs.” When I was young, I was often referred to as a “sad” little girl. Myself and others only saw the depression. This leads people to only talk about their depression, giving doctors only part of their symptoms. One essential way to prevent a misdiagnosis is for patients to talk about all their symptoms with the doctor, giving a complete medical history including any information about close relatives with similar symptoms. This illness is a lifelong disease and cannot be cured but can be treated. From effective treatments, people are able to lead rich and fulfilling lives. This illness is usually treated by a psychiatrist, a medical doctor who specializes in mental health, although some primary care physicians also treat bipolar disorder. Treatment usually includes medication and psychotherapy. Medication treats the illness directly, and psychotherapy provides the skills needed to manage it and avoid new episodes. Understanding the illness is the key to treating it. There are many kinds of medications for the disease. The most common medication, antidepressants are used to treat symptoms of depression, like sadness, hopelessness, and poor concentration. They usually take effect within three weeks. Other medications include mood-stabilizers, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and anti anxiety medications that are only used for immediate relief. Types of therapy include, Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which works on changing the negative mental habits caused by bipolar disorder. People learn techniques for replacing distorted thoughts with more accurate perceptions. Family therapy consists of a group discussion between a therapist and family members. It helps diminish stress within the family, which can in turn help prevent a relapse. Interpersonal therapy helps the person develop better communication skills so that their relationships can improve. Psychoeducation teaches bipolar people about their illness. This helps them refine their treatment and recognize the early signs of a relapse. Developing healthier routines such as getting regular sleep, exercising and eating better can also improve their state (Lilly and Company). Once I was diagnosed, I began taking Zoloft and seeing a counselor for Behavior Therapy. The medication has helped keep my episodes to a minimum. For the first time in my life I got to experience what “normal” really feels like. The therapy has helped me to better understand myself and actions. I now see the truth behind my thoughts and feelings and by understanding them I am more able to control or change them rather than being ruled by them. I feel that I have come a long way in a year but I know that I still have a lot of work to do. Reestablishing your thoughts and actions takes a lot of time and effort. I still go through phases and have had relapses. During some of my more serious relapses I have had thoughts of self-harm and suicide and in some cases I have acted upon those thoughts. Experts estimate that between 15% and 19% of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide (Lilly and Company). I personally have never attempted to commit suicide but I have had serious thoughts of it. It is a scary and awful feeling. The first time I gained the courage to possibly attempt suicide was when I began to self-harm by cutting. The term self-harm means to hurt oneself to relieve emotional pain or distress (Selekman). People self-harm for many different reasons but commonly all share the same thoughts and feelings. Many cause harm to themselves when they are trying to deal with unpleasant, difficult, or overwhelming emotions, obsessive thoughts, or when they are dissociated. It is a way to get the pain out or distract yourself from it, an attempt to communicate your feelings when you feel that words are not enough, or to find comfort from someone else. Some also do it as a means of punishing themselves, or an attempt to get control over their life. A person who is compulsive may thi...