“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, but stigma and bias shame us all.”

~ Bill Clinton

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Severe mania Hypomania

Mild depressionSevere depression

Moods Alternate Between “Poles”

High

Lows

Normal Mood

Mania

Persistent abnormally elevated irritable mood

> one week

Symptoms of Mania Inflated self-esteem/grandiosity Decreased need for sleep Racing thoughts or "flight of ideas" Spending sprees Increased physical/mental energy Irritability/aggressive behavior Impulsive/risk taking Increased sexual drive

Depression

Feeling downLoss of interest in enjoyable things

Symptoms of Depression (Cont.)

Weight loss/gain Insomnia/hypersomnia Psychomotor agitation/slow down Fatigue/loss of energy Decreased ability to concentrate/make

decisions Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide

Hypomania

Mixed state

Between Mania and Depression

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is done using the guidelines from the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ (DSM). There are four types of bipolar disorder:

1. Bipolar I Disorder: this disorder usually last for 7 days. The manic symptoms are sometimes so severe that the person may require immediate hospital care. Sometimes depressive episodes also occur, lasting for 2 weeks.

2. Bipolar II Disorder: A pattern of depressive episodes and hypomania episodes but not full-blown manic episodes.

3. Cyclothymic Disorder: It is a mild form of bipolar disorder. People suffering from Cyclothymic Disorder experience hypomania as well as mild depression. It can last for 2 years.

4. Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder: It is a severe form of bipolar disorder. A person can suffer from major depression, hypomania or mixed states, all within one year. It is likely to affect people who have their first bipolar episode at a younger age.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS): In this, symptoms does exist but does not meet the criteria of either Bipolar disorder I or II. The symptoms are out of the range of person’s normal behaviour.

Treatment

Long-term

Medication

Therapy

Social Support

Lifestyle Changes

Mood stabilizersAtypical antipsychoticsAntidepressants

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)Family-focused therapyInterpersonal and social rhythm therapyPsychoeducation

Psychotherapy

Medications

Self-Help For Bipolar Disorder

Monitor your moods Make healthy choices Seek support Keep stress in check Get educated

The Warning Signs of Suicide Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide Feeling hopeless/helpless/worthless Withdraw from friends/family Acting recklessly Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye Seeking out weapons or pills

Recognize Warning Signs

Offer Support/Help/Listen

Take It Seriously/Get Them Help

How to Help Someone Who is Suicidal

Catherine Zeta-Jones Vivien LeighJean-Claude Van Damme

Famous personalities

Social Stigma and Bipolar Disorder…….

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Helpguide. (n.d.). Understanding bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

Joskypay. (2007, December 5). How I would describe bipolar disorder [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtVTmi1TCVI&NR=1&feature=endscreen

Microsoft Office. (2012). Search 1,000s of images. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/?CTT=6&ver=14&app=powerpnt.exe

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2012). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/pdf/NCS-R_data-Bipolar_Disorder.pdf

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2011). Fight stigma. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=fight_stigma

Quotable Quotes. (2012). Retrieved from http://ask.metafilter.com/68066/Quotable-Quotes

Stovall, J. (2012). Bipolar disorder in adults: Epidemiology and diagnosis. Retrieved from http://uptodate.com

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BY ASHA THANKARAJAN ARUNRAJ GROUP-10