Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive

illness, is characterized by moods that

vary in two ways:

• Periods of mania with exaggerated

euphoria, irritability, or both

• Depression

There is no single cause to Bipolar, but instead there are a

combination of factors that bring it about. They are;

Biological Environmental Genetic

Genes seem to be important; if you have a relative with

bipolar disorder, then your chance of developing the

condition is higher.

There may be a physical problem with the brain systems

which control mood - so bipolar disorder can often be

controlled with medication.

Stress can trigger mood swings.

Bipolar I: There has been at least one high, or manic episode, which lasts

for longer than one week. You may have only manic episodes,

although most people will also have periods of depression.

Bipolar II:Where you have more than one episode of severe depression,

but only mild manic episodes (called ‘hypomania’).

Rapid cycling:

You have had more than four mood swings happen over a 12

month period. This affects around one in ten people with the

condition.

Cyclothymia:

The mood swings are not as bad, but are often longer.

• Feelings of unhappiness that won’t

go away

• Agitation and restlessness

• Loss of confidence

• Feeling useless, inadequate or

hopeless

• Unable to think positively

• Can't concentrate or make even

simple decisions

• Loss of appetite

• Sleeping problems including

waking early in the morning

• Lack of interest in sex

• Avoiding other people

• Thoughts of suicide

• General elation

• Feeling more important than

usual

• Full of energy or ideas; moving

quickly from one idea to another

• Unable, or don't want to sleep

• More interested than usual in sex

• Making unrealistic plans

• Overactive, talking quickly

• Irritable with other people who

can't go along with your mood or

ideas

• Spending money recklessly

• When depressed, you feel

guilty, worse than anybody

else, or even that you don't

exist.

• When manic, you may feel

you’re on an important

mission or you have special

powers or abilities.

• You might also experience

hallucinations - when you

hear, smell, feel or see

something that isn’t there.

About one per cent of people develop

bipolar disorder in their lifetime. The risk is

higher if you have relatives with the disorder.

About 12 per cent of people with a brother

or sister with bipolar disorder develop the

condition themselves.

The illness tends to appear first in adulthood

but may occur earlier. Men and women are

affected equally.

THERE’S NO CURE FOR

BIPOLAR DISORDER!

1. You must figure out where you are in the cycle.

2. Then you must monitor your mood and thoughts – also ask someone

you trust to help you.

3. They are able to spot a relapse from occurring, and warn you.

4. Antidepressants can also be prescribed – Liquid lithium is most

commonly used to stabilise mood swings.

5. It's important that exactly the correct level is maintained in the blood

because too much can be poisonous and too little will have no

effect.