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Millions Suffer From Bipolar Disorder

by Cure Anxiety
Filed under: Anxiety And Panic Disorders 

Life, they say, is like a wheel. Sometimes you’re up; sometimes you’re down. But if your mood stays that way most of the day or everyday, chances are you have bipolar disorder – a mental disorder that affects 222 million people worldwide and is the sixth leading cause of disabilities worldwide.

Bipolar disorder is a serious and debilitating mental illness that is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness. This mood disorder often affects adults and may persist throughout life.

“Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives,” according to the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

The manic phase of this disorder is characterized by feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism, and a high self-esteem. There is rapid speech, agitation, and reckless behavior. Other symptoms are poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, poor judgment, and an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities and powers.

In the depressive phase, the patient may have persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or guilt, sleep problems, loss of appetite, irritability, chronic pain with no known cause, and recurring thoughts of suicide.

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but doctors believe the condition may be caused by physical changes in the brain, environment or a hormonal imbalance. Aside from alcohol abuse, the disease may be inherited and caused by periods of high stress or drug abuse.

“Often beginning in adolescence or early adulthood, bipolar disorder has a profound negative effect on interpersonal, social, family and vocational outcomes and is a risk factor for substance abuse and suicide Recent reports have noted that up to 25 percent of bipolar disorder patients will attempt suicide at some point in the course of their illness,” said experts at the Lundbeck Institute in Denmark.

If you have bipolar disorder, you’re in good company. Among the famous sufferers of the disease were the British novelist Virginia Woolf, Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, and German composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

Woolf, author of “To the Lighthouse” and “Orlando”, had mood swings that were characterized by feverish periods of writing and weeks immersed in gloom. Mental problems plagued Van Gogh in the last few yeas of his life. Unable to control his depression, he walked to the fields and he shot himself in the chest. He died two days later at the age of 37. On the other hand, Beethoven suffered from long bouts of depression and longed for death. As his disease progressed, he withdrew from the world and drank himself to death.

Fortunately, proper treatment can help patients stabilize their mood swings and manage the disease. If you have any of the above symptoms, seek medical help. To enhance your memory and support healthy brain function, take Neurovar. For more information on this powerful supplement, go to http://www.neurovar.com/.

Sharon Bell
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/millions-suffer-from-bipolar-disorder-322452.html

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Comments

6 Comments on Millions Suffer From Bipolar Disorder

  1. The Auspicious White Elephant on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 9:12 pm

    2. I agree. It does seem to be all to common for people to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And it does seem too many people are looking for a problem with themselves.
    But some people want other’s advice before they overreact and go running to sign themselves up for a psych ward.
    References :

  2. Julie M on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 9:14 pm

    3. my mom put me in a mental hospital where they were going to put me on lithium to "see" if it would help figure out if i was bipolar.
    my dad came and got me out and our insurance company is investigating the institution for fraud.
    thank you for writing this. the things i went through, no one should have to go through.
    later, i was given a clean bill of health by two different docs in order to join the military.
    References :

  3. nemesis114 on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 9:16 pm

    4. You are right.

    It’s become a little bit fashionable now. It’s like Attention Deficit Disorder is used to explain away obnoxious children whose parents have no parenting skills of which to speak and dyslexia is used by some as a shield for being too idle to learn to read or write.

    I’ve had this disorder for 20 odd years and anyone who wants it as a fashion accessory can have mine, they are welcome to it. I’ve got to say though the highs are great – the lows are hell though. Luckily I am a high functioning sufferer and can generally disguise it when needed.
    References :

  4. genuine_red on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 9:18 pm

    5. I love that you have put somthing out about bipolar, also know as manic depression. I was recently diagnosed and it has changed my life, for better and worse. I was always diagnosed with major depression with psychotic episodes and was always prescribed anti-depressants. I had tried every anti-depressant in the book. But this past August I had started going a mile a minute and lost all my concentration and just could not live like normal. I had lost 14 pounds in one week. Didnt want to eat just wanted to go go go. I went to my doctor and she had put my on Prozac and man that was stupid (no offense to the doctor). I became suicidal and began having cutting tendencies. My leg looks like I have tiger stripes now! I also wanted to cut because my foot just would not stop moving after I finally stopped moving. I became very worried and made a physciatrist appointment the next day or so. I thought well maybe I may be bi-polar. I always seen those adds that the wrong anti-depressants can make you have suicidal tendencies and what not, so I wondered. So I went to my appointment and began talking with her, and a funny thing came up. Every year, around August or September to about December or January, I would always become very depressed, very down. I would always lose my jobs. Either I became depressed those times, or like last year, I started going going going and could not stop. It was like being on meth! She finally said because I could pin point these times of the year, like many others, and many other symptoms I had, that I was indeed bi-polar. And that when you are actually misdiagnosed and put on anti-depressants, you will have the suicidal tendencies and what not. Anti-depressants are actually bad if you are indeed bi-polar. So finally I was properly diagnosed after all these years, all this time of struggling. I was put on Lamictal which has done wonders on me. Bi-polar is a very serios disorder and I am glad this "question" was posted and I am glad I got to tell my stroy hopeful to others thinking they may be bi-polar. If you think you are, do the research, find a doctor that specializes in the disorder, and take care of your self. There are many symptoms and "manias" you can have and it is best to control them before they become ruler of your life. If you notice you are more on the edge with people, if you talk so fast that you actually stir, and that you just cant stop going, go check it out. Dont let it control you! Thanks for letting me share and thanks for bringing this topic up!
    References :
    A manic depressive

  5. Mandy K on Mon, 23rd Nov 2009 9:20 pm

    6. You have a very interesting point. Bipolar disorder, a long with the well known depression does seem to be a bit glamorized nowadays. I do believe that both mental health issues are very serious and should be treated, but it seems that EVERYONE has some sort of mental instability, when how most of us feel is really quite normal. I don’t think downplaying it to "You do not have Bipolar disorder. Period." is very promising, because im sure not everybody feels that they need to feign madness to get attention, yet i do think that a lot of times people haven’t learned coping skills for every day **** that flies our way.
    References :

  6. a guy who knows some stuff on Tue, 24th Nov 2009 5:10 am

    7. Bipolar disorder?
    This isn’t really a question but I am going to put it on here anyways. With the recent publicity that bipolar disorder has had it seems everyone and their dog has it. It really is a rare disorder that goes undiagnosed however is misdiagnosed to millions of people. If you think you are or some one you love has bipolar (not is bipolar) has bipolar disorder, you can’t be a disorder, you suffer from it, then please just talk to a doctor or therapist and don’t come on here and ask about it. Most of these people aren’t and don’t really know someone who is, no matter what they say or think. It is sad that it has become "cool" to have this serious disorder. All those people who aren’t but pretent to be and all that really have made it hard for those that really are get the right treatment and have it actually treated as a serious issues and not just the flavor of the week.
    I understand that people are looking for opinions but it doesn’t mean you are crazy to talk to a doctor or such about concerns about your mental health.

    I live with this disorder and went misdiagnosed for many years, I never use it as an excuse for anything, which is what people are doing…it pisses me off…
    I agree with you, I wish was able to spread this to others who want to be this way, bet they change their mind fast. I also bet they would stop running around bragging about having it. It’s not fun, cool are anything else…it is hell…pure hell.
    Lamical is a great medication…wasn’t for me but I know others it is. I thank you for your story. I am considering building website "community" for this same topic. I know there are a lot out there but most fall short.

    I am open to emails from others who truely want to talk about this.
    Sadly the military was one organization who "misdiagonosed" me on "accident" and discharged me for misconduct instead.

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