Understanding People with Bipolar Disorders and Cyclothemia

Bipolar disorder or Bipolar Spectrum Disorders is a disorder sometimes referred to as a disease which causes mood swings. Everyone has mood swings but people with Bipolar Spectrum disorder will experience High to Low levels of moods, inability to think, erratic behaviour and many more symptoms which varies greatly depending on the individual.

About 2-5% of people in U.S.A suffer from some form of Bipolar Disorder and the numbers are growing due to the media attention. Celebrities are opening up about their experience with Bipolar Affective Disorder, some of which are Mel Gibson, Axl Rose of GnR and Virginia Woolf.

The Bipolar Spectrum ranges from Bipolar I the most severe to Cyclothemia the least severe, in between is Bipolar II and Bipolar NOS which doesn’t fall under any category.

Bipolar I

This is the most severe and sufferers will experience mania which includes psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The other cycle in the illness is depression although it can be mild, this factor varies with individuals. One episode or mood can last for months sometimes a year.

Bipolar II
This is the milder form of Bipolar I, sufferers will experience hypomania which does not include psychotic symptoms and if so they are very mild and rare, hypomania can be very enjoyable and often goes undiagnosed because the sufferers will begin to feel good, have grand ideas, more confident and may seem insightful and life of the party to others. Sufferers may sink into deep depression on the other cycle of the mood; however the severity differs depending on the patient.

Cyclothemia
This is the mildest form where the individuals suffers from a less severe form of hypomania and mild depression, however it is also a serious illness as their moods cycle frequently e.g. every four weeks with periods of a normal state.

The mood swings has a great effect on bipolar sufferers ability to function such as organisation skills, memory recollection, ability to perform at work and at home. This is usually managed with extensive therapy and sometimes medication.
Some people suffering with Bipolar Affective Disorder go on to live perfectly normal lives while managing the illness with medication when necessary and therapy.

Mixed State

This is when a sufferer has depressive and manic symptoms at the same time, the person feeling and mood will be very confusing and difficult and suicide is very likely.

Rapid Cycling
This is the frequent change in moods which is usually every few months or weeks, the individuals will go from Manic to Depression in a matter of weeks or months.

 Bipolar Relation to Suicide and Depression
Part of the mood disorder is suffering from depression as part of the cycle, how severe depends on the form of Bipolar Affective Disorder and it is also linked to suicide about 40-50% of suicides are by sufferers of Bipolar Affective Disorder.

Link to Creativity
There is no scientific evidence to prove a link to creativity since the illness is still not very well understood, however the correlation between Bipolar Affective Disorder and Artist, Poets and Musicians is too high to ignore. The probable explanation for the link to creativity is the hypomania phase which the individual have racing thoughts and lots of ideas- this is a likely contributing factor.

Bipolar Drug Abuse/ Self Medication

There is no coincidence a suffer of Bipolar Disorder has a bottle of whiskey nearby or a cigarette at arm’s reach, this is because is eases the symptoms for the short term only to make matter’s worst in the long term, which sometimes leads to suicide or greatly increases the chances.  Self medication and drug abuse may also worsen the symptoms to the extent of a different diagnosis for example a Bipolar 2 patient may be diagnosed with Bipolar 1 after long term drug abuse.

Bipolar Disorder and Hyper sexuality

During a Hypomanic phase a bipolar patient may show a significant increase in sex drive and promiscuity, this often leads to reckless behaviour such as sex with multiple strangers, unsafe sex and public disturbance.

Bipolar causes Heritability/Upbringing

There is evidence that bipolar is a heritable disease whether one or two parents have it, a household of three children and one bipolar parent, there is a chance one or two of the children will inherit the illness. Childhood Traumas- is known to trigger and increase the chance of suffering from bipolar disorder, events such as parental abuse, divorce, witnessing abuse can trigger bipolar development.

Treatment options for Bipolar Affective Disorder

The most common method of treatment is Lithium salts, although patients can be treated with antidepressant, sedatives and commonly a combination of the three. For an extensive list of treatments check the resources at the end of the article.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Mania:

*Delusional

*Paranoia

*Extreme Aggression

*Hearing Voices

*Erratic and Strange behaviour

Hypomania:

*Goal driven

*High Confidence

*Increase Sex Drive

*High Interest in certain activities

*Creativity

*High energy/No need for sleep (only2-4 hours)

*Racing Thoughts

Depressive:

*Suicidal Thoughts

*Loss of Confidence

*Lack of pleasure from activities

*Low energy

*Low Motivation

*Over sleeping

*Lack of Sleep

An individual will have only some of these symptoms and more as the symptom range is very diverse.

Bipolar and a Normal Life

Some have gone on to live a normal life without a relapse, with the right medication and therapy, also some manage their symptoms with vitamins and healthy living. However some others may go a life time without finding the right help with often results in suicide or dependency on drugs usually with a sedative and anti-anxiety effect.

• Comprehensive guide to the treatment options for Bipolar Disorder and help accepting treatment. http://helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_diagnosis_treatment.htm
• From news to discussions on Bipolar Disorder, as well as a great source for information. http://bipolar.about.com/
• Bipolar Organisation and group particularly for sufferers and family and friends of Bipolar patients. http://www.mdf.org.uk/
• Bipolar Disorder Quiz, this doesn't diagnose Bipolar only a psychiatrist can. 
• if you ever need some one to talk to, email about your feelings this is a good site. http://www.samaritans.org/
• My related hub: Bipolar or Moody?
• High Sensitivity has been linked to Bipolar Disorder read on it here
• Are they Creative or Crazy or Both?