Bipolar Disorder- how it affects the lives of everyone involved

We all have days when our moods are as unpredictable as the weather. However there are some people whose peaks and valleys are more severe than this.

Bipolar Disorder affects about 1 in 7 people. This means that there is a very good chance that someone we all know might be suffering with this potentially crippling medical condition. Bipolar Disorder has a number of different names.

• Manic Depression
• Manic- Depressive Disorder.
• Manic- Depressive Illness.
• Bipolar Mood Disorder.
• Bipolar Affective Disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that leaves the victim vulnerable to serious episodes of mania, followed by extreme depression. Usually a person will become overly happy and irritable to sad and miserable and back again for no reason at all. These sudden changes are evident in energy, behavior and mood. A combination of biochemical, psychological and genetic factors are thought to be the root cause of this fickle disorder.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

There are a number of symptoms that a person suffering with Bipolar Disorder may show. Generally victims seem to look at situations as being bigger, faster, exaggerated and sometimes worse than they really are. Symptoms can become very harmful and threatening to the person’s life. School and work performance is affected and relationships and other important aspects of life are influenced. Symptoms during the manic and depressive phases may differ somewhat.

Manic stage

• Active.
• Think and talk faster.
• Feeling of self importance.
• May not want to sleep or eat.
• Hallucinations (auditory and visual)

Depressive stage

• Indecisive.
• Low self esteem.
• Weight gain/ weight loss.
• Sleeping more or less than usual.
• Lack of interest.
• Alcohol/ drug abuse.
• Disappearing for periods of time.
• Possible suicide attempts.

Even though symptoms are treatable, many people do not recognize the signs as being the effects of Bipolar Disorder.

For more information on Bipolar Disorder or to seek help, call Bryanwood Therapy and Assessment Centre on 011 706- 2269,  011 706- 0979 or 011 463- 1488. Email bryanwood@bryanwood.co.za

The difficulties of being around a Bipolar victim

A very depressed person will become withdrawn, uncommunicative and possibly unwilling to participate on a social or professional level. People may feel that the person is draining and perhaps a burden to be around.

A manic person on the other hand may become aggressive, argumentative, vain, arrogant and very bossy. This too becomes an irritation to others, often causing conflict in relationships.

It is impossible to try and understand the level of emotional stress that family and friends of a Bipolar victim deal with. Having a mentally ill person in the household, at work or among a group of friends can become tiring on everyone involved. In most cases, these people too become victims of the shattering disorder.

Insisting that Bipolar patients receive help is a crucial step for all family or friends to take. Most people who have received help for Bipolar Disorders are able to live a normal and stable life. Leaving the condition untreated will only cause it to manifest and become a greater problem in the lives of the victim and everyone else involved.

To make an enquiry at Bryanwood Therapy and Assessment Centre click here or visit www.bryanwood.co.za

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