Even when the victim is between these dramatic episodes, they can go from happy to sad, sad to angry or any other combination of total opposite emotions in just seconds.  This can be difficult for those around them to understand or cope with.

The Causes of Bipolar Disorder

There are a lot of different things that can contribute to a person’s bipolar suffering and their inability to control their emotional state: genetics, the environment, chemical imbalances,; and more.

Chemical Imbalances

When a patient has bipolar disorder, the chemicals in their brain are off and do not work properly.  This is caused by malfunctioning neurons.  These are messengers found in the brain that send signals back and forth to each other using chemical reactions. It is these same chemicals that create emotions. For those with bipolar disorder, the brain either makes too little or too many of these important chemicals, sending the emotional part of the brain into a tizzy.  As the brain continually gets the wrong signals, it begins to send out the wrong messages, and these messages can cause the erratic behavior and violent mood swings.

Genetics

There has been a lot of research done on the genetic factors that may control a person’s susceptibility to developing bipolar disorder in their lifetime.  While there is a definite genetic link, making bipolar disorder hereditary, not everyone with a family history of the disease will get it.  Environmental factors also play a significant role in whether or not the brain overloads neuron responses, flooding itself with the wrong chemicals to stabilize the emotions.  In some cases, avoiding certain environmental stimulus has been shown to decrease a person’s risk factors for bipolar, even when a strong genetic tendency is present.

That said, those with one or both parents suffering with bipolar must be especially diligent in watching for signs of the disorder and getting help when needed.  It has been reported that when one parent has bipolar, the child’s chance of coming down with it sometime during their lifetime is increased by 50%; nearly 80% if both parents suffer with the disorder.

When such a high risk factor is evident, it is especially helpful for the person to learn how to cope with stress; avoid drug and alcohol use; seek regular counseling; adopt healthy eating habits; and do their best to maintain a balanced lifestyle and relationships.  Since these kinds of stressors can sometimes trigger a negative neuron response and actually “turn on” the bipolar genes, staying away from dangerous activities and undue stress is essential to maintaining a balanced emotional state.

The Environment

As stated, the environment too can play a role in causing bipolar disorder. Exposure to certain toxins (including alcohol and drugs) in utero have been linked to bipolar disorder, as were child neglect and abuse.  Anything that can disrupt the normal growth and maturity of a person’s emotions as an infant or child can lead to disrupted chemical production in the brain and cause bipolar disorder later on in life.

In addition, the types of relationships a patient has during both childhood and their adult years can affect their emotional responses and activate a bipolar gene that may remain dormant for a time. For these reasons, it is important to learn good relationship building skills to ensure that you do not activate a bipolar response to the stresses of relational issues in the future.

Living with Bipolar Disorder

While it is not always possible to alter your surroundings or change the risks you were put under as a child, understanding the causes of bipolar disorder can help you better understand this debilitating condition and even prevent episodes in the future. Some common things just about anyone can do to help keep bipolar from interfering with their life are to:

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Avoid undue stress
• Get enough sleep
• Seek counseling when needed
• Maintain a balanced schedule

Bipolar disorder can be a difficult disease to control; but it is possible to live a normal life despite the condition. With the right medical intervention and help, many bipolar victims have been able to manage their symptoms and live a relatively normal life despite it.

Bipolar disorder is more than feeling extreme highs and lows.  It can be a devastating disease that affects how you live; how you feel and how you relate to other sin your life.  Your work can be disrupted when an attack hits and your relationships (if you can even maintain any) can suffer.  In short, bipolar disorder can rule your life.  That’s why it is so important to really understand this insidious mental health disorder, so that you can better deal with its aftermath.

Understanding bipolar disorder means getting to know the statistics regarding how it affects people; who gets it; how it is treated, etc.  Let’s take a closer look at the most important bipolar disorder statistics gathered by researchers in recent years:

The Hereditary Factor

Research shows that bipolar disorder is indeed hereditary, but in a  different way as is with other diseases. While 80% of those with bipolar disorder have a relative with the disease, those with a genetic factor towards bipolar are not guaranteed that they will get sick in time. Since environmental factors play a huge role in turning on the genes that cause bipolar disorder, people with the bipolar gene can escape its rage. Those with one or two bipolar parents have to especially diligent about watching for symptoms and seeking help if necessary since one parent with bipolar disorder can increase a child’s risk of the disease by 50% and two parents with the disease can increase a child’s risk level by 80%.

Age

The vast majority of bipolar victims show the first sign of the disease between the ages of 17-25.  No one knows for sure why the disease seems to show itself in this age group, other than it is a time in one’s life when the stresses of school work and starting out in life trigger the onset of symptoms.  Note: only 1 percent of children and teens exhibit bipolar tendencies so the onset of the disorder in the early to mid 20’s can seem quite out of blue for most people.

Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

While bipolar disorder affects all people, regardless of their gender, race or ethnicity, women seem to succumb to it three times more often than men.

Death and Suicide

Those who suffer with bipolar disorder tend to live shorter lives than those who not suffer with the disease. The average lifespan of a bipolar patient is 9.2 years less than the vernal population. In addition, suicide rates among its victims are much greater than the general populace.  One in five bip0olar patients will succeed in killing themselves. Many other may attempt suicide but not succeed in the attempt.

Medications and Treatment

The success rate among lithium (the most common drug used in treating bipolar disorder) patients is 45-50%, but those who participate in a one on one support group or therapy report success rates of 85%. At the present time lithium is the medication of choice for treating bipolar disorder symptoms, but research is underway looking for better and more effective medication offerings.

Unfortunately, diagnosing bipolar and getting treatment can take time. The average time spent trying to get a firm diagnosis is app. 10 years for most people. Women seem to be misdiagnosed the most, causing a longer delay in treatment.

The good news   is that recognizing and diagnosing bipolar disorder is becoming easier than ever for doctors and their patients, giving them both the opportunity to begin a treatment regiment faster, which may be leading to improved success rates.

Bipolar disorder can be a serious affliction among its victims.  By understanding the disease better, you have a better chance of getting the help you need for yourself or someone you love more quickly, and eliminating years of unnecessary suffering due to misunderstanding and misdiagnosis.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that exists when neurons cannot properly release chemicals in the brain. This causes someone to either enter a sate of deep depression or a state of being over joyful with lots of energy. These are called episodes, and those who are not medicated can have episodes frequently and suddenly. Those who are medicated experience episodes however, not as often as those who aren’t medicated. Bipolar disorder is often a crippling disease that can destroy a person’s life before they are diagnosed. Living with bipolar disorder is hard, but there are unlucky people who live with it everyday.

Bipolar Success Stories

There are many stories on the Internet and in books about people who have overcome their bipolar disorder and live life as normally as they can with the extreme emotional states that they are constantly in contact with. One such story is of a now 32 year old woman whose life was tragically messed up due to her bipolar disorder.

She was 27 when she was first diagnosed. She oftentimes would come up against a manic episode once every two or three weeks. She would often never get much more than two or three days of sleep at one time. When she was in an episode she often needed to be surrounded by attention and noise. She became irritable, loud, obnoxious, and angry. She found herself out at bars more and more, and drinking until she couldn’t stay awake. Her family told her that she treated them unjustly and that she just had a drinking problem that needed to be sorted out. Finally a close friend convinced her to see a doctor, and she did. The doctor diagnosed he r with severe bipolar type 1. She didn’t want to admit to being emotionally ill, so she didn’t take the pills prescribed to her.

She met a man one night that put up with her and they got married. They had two children, and she entered a severe battle with postpartum. Her bipolar disorder got worse as time went on, and her husband become frustrated with her. She came home at 2 in the morning almost every night drunk, couldn’t hold down a job, and had a Jekyll and Hyde personality. Finally after much convincing and having a blow-up at her daughter where she hit the child, this woman decided to go and revisit a doctor. This time she took her medications. Slowly but surely she began to put he life back together. Today she is 32, happily married, and not letting her bipolar disorder take over her life. However, the symptoms are still there. She lives with emotional ups and downs, but at least she is actually living.

This woman is only one example of lives that are destroyed because of bipolar disorder, however you can live with the illness, and have a happy life.

Involving Your Family

If you’re living with bipolar disorder don’t keep your family in the dark. Family is one of the strongest teams working in your favor. During episodes they will keep you away from dangerous situations, or risky behaviors. They can remind you that you will get through it. Your family wants to be involved, and they want to help you. Don’t let your own pride get in the way. Talk to and involve your family. You will be glad you did, and so will they.

Deciding on Medication

When you sit down with your doctor after being diagnosed ask to go through the medications available. Make sure that you look at the side-effects as well. This way you and your doctor can pick what medication or combinations of medication are right for you and your situation. Don’t just let your doctor prescribe you anything, a quick in and out won’t do you any good, you may just end up going back for a medication change anyway.

Going to Counseling

Going to counseling is something that will help you live with your bipolar disorder. A psychiatrist is a trained doctor that will be there to talk to you. They will help you thorough your episodes, and often talk about how you feel during and after episodes. Through the counseling session you should begin to feel like weight has been taken off your shoulders. Having someone to talk to and someone who will listen can make anyone feel better.

Dealing With the Emotional Ups and Downs

Even on medication people with bipolar disorder will often experience emotional ups and downs. If you are bipolar type 1 you could suffer from manic episodes. This means you will become overly joyful, energetic, reckless, restless, and talkative. You will get distracted easily, and it may feel like you are having a sugar rush. During a manic episode you will become more likely to exhibit risky behaviors, and treat yourself to things such a lavish vacations and expensive shopping trips frequently. Taking your medication and talking to psychiatrist will help with these episodes. However, you should set some ground rules for yourself. When you feel that you may be entering an episode tell a family member. They will be able to keep an eye on you and make sure that you don’t hurt yourself, or hurt yourself by buying things you can’t pay for. An understanding spouse will also be there to car and look after you.

Someone with bipolar type 2 will enter depressive episodes. These episodes can occur just a frequently and as quickly a manic episodes (unless you are medicated). During these episodes you are likely to become irritable, easily angered, reckless, and unhappy. You could suffer form insomnia, and suicidal thoughts or actions. Taking your medication and talking to a psychiatrist can help you during these episodes. However, asking friends and family to watch you during your episodes is a good idea. The people close to you including a spouse can keep you safe, and help you through the tough times.

Living with bipolar disorder is very hard. Those who have it go through emotional ups and downs that can destroy their relationships with family and friends. Thy often have thoughts that could lead to them hurting themselves, and they can’t control their actions. It is a good idea to understand how living with bipolar disorder works so that you can be an informed citizen.

Bipolar disorder can wreak havoc in your life. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 you will always have emotional ups and downs. However, there is something that can help you with your bipolar symptoms. There are different medication treatments that can be used for treating your bipolar symptoms. Most work best when combined with another medication, but your doctor should decide which you take together.

Different Bipolar Treatments

There are medications that help treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Some help with manic episodes, ands some help depressive episodes. Almost all help lower your symptoms in between episodes, and most of the medication treatments can be combined with another medication for better results. Some of these medications include:

• GEODON
• Lithium
• Lamotrigine
• gabapentin
• topiramate

Each of these medications ahs been FDA approved, and each has proved to be effective in relieving people form some or most of their bipolar symptoms.

GEODON

GEODON is an antipsychotic medication. It changes the chemical balances in the brain. It is used to treat the manic symptoms of people with bipolar disorder. You must be at least ten years old to take this medication. You shouldn’t take GEODON if your bipolar disorder is related to early dementia, because the medication can cause heart-failure, stroke, or pneumonia in those with dementia. Don’t take GEODON if you have a family history of heart-failure, or if you have recently had a heart-attack or stroke. Certain medicines can have fatal side-effects when taken with FEODON so always talk to your doctor before taking another medicine with GEODON. Side-effect includes:

• High Blood Pressure
• Raised Heart Rate
• Seizures
• Hostility
• Confusion
• Fever
• Flu-like Symptoms
• Extreme Hunger
• Uneven Heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Lithium

This is the most common bipolar disorder treatment. It can be paired with many other medications. It shouldn’t be taken by anyone under eighteen. Never take it with alcohol, soda, or juices. IF you skip a dose do not take two pills next time, because this can have fatal side-effects. Lithium is a highly effective medicine and can cause birth defects if a baby is exposed to it within the first three months of pregnancy. Side-effects include:

• Excessive Weight Gain
• Dizziness
• Swelling of Mouth, Tongue, or Throat
• Diarrhea
• Loss of Bladder Control
• Giddiness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the Ears
• Headaches
• Slurred Speech
• Swollen Ankles or Wrists
• Seizures

Lithium is the most commonly used bipolar treatment, and it ca be combined with other medications to make it more effective, however you always need ot talk to a doctor before combining medication.

Lamotrigine

This medication is used to treat seizures for those with epilepsy, and is also used as a mood stabilizer for those who suffer from bipolar disorder. This medication can be used to stabilize the emotional state of someone with bipolar disorder. This means it stops frequent depressive or manic episodes, and when the episodes occur help the person think responsibly and rationally. The medicine can not be used to treat anything more than acute bipolar disorder. Side-effects include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Dark Urine
• Calf Pain
• Chest Pains
• Hand Swelling
• Suicidal Thought
• Yellowing of Eyes or Skin
• Hoarse Voice
• Swelling of Lips, Tongue, Mouth, or Throat
• Constipation
• Runny Nose
• Stomach Cramps
• Double Vision

These side-effects are much milder compared to other medications. The down-side is that those with severer bipolar disorder cannot take this medication because it will not help due to the major chemical problems in their brain.

Gabapentin

Often used as an anticonvulsant for those who have epilepsy, and as a pain medication for those with herpes and shingles. However, it can also be used as a way to stop the energetic tremors caused by manic episodes; as well as insomnia. This medication can cause small birth defects such as cleft lip or cleft palette when a baby has been exposed to the drug within the first two months of pregnancy. Don’t take if you have liver, kidney, or heart disease. Always carry a card that will tell emergency personal that you take an epilepsy medication. Make sure that you don’t take antacids 2 hours before or after taking the medication. Antacids will make it harder for your body to absorb the Gabapentin.  You also shouldn’t take Gabapentin if you work the night shift, and sleep during the day. Side-effects include:

• Fever
• Swollen Glands
• Runny Nose
• Itchy Eyes
• Chest Pain
• Irregular Heart Rate
• Trouble Breathing
• A Constant Back andForthMovement of the Eyes
• Loss of Appetite
• Yellowing of Skin or Eyes
• Cough Lasting more than 2 weeks

 Topiramate

Often used to treat those with bipolar type 2, and to cure migraines. Shouldn’t be taken with any drink other than water. Children 12 and older may take this medication, and can often be used to treat children with epilepsy. IT can only be bought by prescription and is almost never taken alone, but combined with antidepressants or mood stabilizers. Side-effects include:

• Unexpected Fever
• Loss of Balance
• Swelling of Lip
• Bloody Urine
• Shallow Berthing
• Joint Pain
• Cramps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Anxiety
• Double Vision or other Vision Changes

All of these medications work as treatments for bipolar disorder. They can be used alone, or combined with other medications for better results. Doctors will often prescribe medication based on your unique situation. However, it never hurts to be informed on a few f the different options out there for your bipolar disorder.

Most people associate bipolar disease with extreme highs or manic episodes with alternating periods of depression. But, those are not the only signs and symptoms of bipolar disease.  As a matter of fact, it is these extreme highs and lows that can lead to all sorts of other side affects.

For those wondering if they (or someone they love) may be suffering from more than depression or an exaggerated good mood, it may be time to take a closer look at all of their symptoms to determine if a bipolar disorder diagnosis may be in order.

Depression

It is common for people to look for manic symptoms when considering bipolar disorder, but the truth is that severe depression is a more common side effect of the disease. So much so that nearly 75% of all bipolar patients were first diagnosed with depression.  This can lead to months or even years of improper treatment and prolonged suffering.  For this reason, be sure to notify your doctor immediately if you begin to notice periods of intense manic behavior following a depressive state.  This could be a sign of bipolar disorder; not just depression.

Extreme Impulsiveness

Sometimes a manic episode is confused with impulsiveness, until the patient becomes so impulsive that people begin to notice its unnormal state.  Those who exhibit severe impulsiveness like quitting their job all of a sudden with no real plans for the future; or even those who have grandiose plans for a new adventure without really thinking things through should be evaluated.  This is especially true for those who ultimately find themselves in a dark mood weeks or months after the impulsive mania begins.  Everyone has highs and lows, but when those highs and lows begin to take over your life and your ability to make wise choices, bipolar disorder should be considered.

Mood Swings

Everyone experiences a bad day here and there and everyone exhibits their frustration in different ways. But the onset of sudden (and severe) mood swings for no apparent reasons could be a danger sign; especially among those who are vulnerable to bipolar disorder.

Euphoria

Some of the most creative people in history are thought to have suffered with bipolar disorder. Take the artists or writer who suddenly becomes inspired and works for days, weeks or months in a home or room all alone, eating and sleeping little. They seem to run only on creative juices, pulling away from the world, only to be left exhausted and unable to function after their project is complete.  This type of euphoric hyperactivity followed by a depressive state is a classic sign of bipolar disorder.  But not everyone shows such an extreme.  In many people, the euphoria they experience exhibits itself in more common ways like:

• jabbering or talking way to fast for no apparent reasons
• irritability and an inability to concentrate or sit still for more than a minute or two
• racing thoughts
• distractibility
• delusions
• reckless behavior
• either an inability to concentrate or an intense concentration on just one thing for an unusual period of time. This creates an inability to concentrate on anything but the one thing keeping the person’s intense interest.
• insomnia
• an unrealistic belief about their capabilities

Bipolar Disorder is More Than Mood Swings

When one reads over the list of signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder it can make you believe that everyone suffers with this serious disease. The truth is that while diagnosis of bipolar is becoming easier, the number of people who suffer with bipolar is still generally small in comparison to the overall population.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that needs to be taken seriously.  While its signs and symptoms may appear to be relatively common, the severity of them is not.  While one person may seem manic due to real feelings of euphoria over a chance to try something new at home or work; the bipolar patient will appear completely over the top in the way they act and feel about the situation.  And while one person may appear to be making a rash choice to quit their job and return to school to study something brand new; the bipolar patient believes they can do the same thing in a fraction of the time with no changes to their life and still get all A’s. In short, their expectations are completely unrealistic and when confronted with the fact will lash out in a much harsher manner.

Those suffering with bipolar disorder will experience the highs and lows of life in such an intense manner that they are unable to cope with neither the good times or the and in a normal way.  When you notice these types of extreme in yourself or someone you know, it is time to seek help.

Bipolar disorder can be treated quite effectively these days, but only when this signs and symptoms are recognized and reported to a doctor.

Let me explain.  The genetic link for bipolar disorder is not like the hereditary factors of other diseases, since bipolar seems to have (in many cases) some sort of environmental trigger, which actually turns on the disease.  Should you be lucky enough to avoid these triggers, you could keep the disease at bay in your own life even if you carry the hereditary gene that causes it.

So, what are some of these environmental triggers that have been linked to bipolar disorder?  Here are just a few of the most common to watch out for:

Alcohol and drug exposure while in utero

• Phychosocial stressors like abuse, abandonment, etc.
• Head trauma
• Certain illnesses
• Other stresses as a child ( a growing brain with the bipolar gene may react to certain stresses much more severely than  a growing brain void of the bipolar gene).
• Unusual sleep/wake cycling
• Diet
• Unknown environmental factors

In short, it appears from much of the research on bipolar disorder that the genes a person has only plays a part in the development of the disease; while a person’s environment plays another significant part in whether or not the disorder can be prevented in certain individuals. That is why one member of a family may come down with the disease and another doesn’t even though they have identical hereditary factors.

Preventing Bipolar Disorder Despite Strong Hereditary Factors

While it is true that bipolar disorder is hereditary to  a point, those genes can be circumvented in some cases simply by being aware of your personal susceptibility and taking the proper precautions to keep your mental and physical health strong.  That said, not everyone can keep bipolar disorder form interfering with their lives, but some can. Here are just a few ways in which you can try and prevent “turning on” those bipolar genes:

•  Schedule your time well.  Keeping a good work, family and sleep schedule is very important in maintaining balance in your days and keeping stress from getting the better of you.

• Learn how to manage stressful situations well and avoid it when possible. For instance, try and keep your commitments to a manageable level and deal with relational problems right away to keep them from building into a major stressor in your life.

• Avoid alcohol and drug use

• See a therapist if needed

• Take time to relax.  Exercise regularly and indulge in some enjoyable, stress free fun on a regular basis.

Remember, you can not always avoid stress or even keep your life from becoming a bit chaotic and out of control at times.  The key here is to try and keep yourself well balanced so you can better handle those times when life does throw you a bit of a curve.  Not every stress is going to put you at risk for bipolar, but putting your body and mind under constant stress may trigger the disorder in some people.

Bipolar disorder is hereditary, but that does in any way mean that a person with bipolar in their family is going to come down with the disease. It does mean that you have to be more vigilant to watch for signs of the disorder and get help right away if you suspect problems.  Bipolar can be treated in many of its victims, especially when caught early.  Be sure to keep an open dialogue with your doctor and report any potential warning signs right away.

Bipolar disorder is a crippling mental illness. It affects people in very serious ways. With bipolar disorder you can experience extreme ups and downs in your emotional health. This isn’t anyone fault. The brain simply is out of balance and doesn’t know how to fix itself. You may know about bipolar disorder, but did you know that there are three different kinds of bipolar disorder. There is type 1, type 2, and cyclothymia. There is also a wide range of unidentified bipolar disorders known as NOS (not otherwise specified). It is important to know about the different forms that bipolar disorder can take so that you can help yourself or the people around you get better.

The Three Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are three known types of bipolar disorder. These are type 1, type 2 and cyclothymia. A small fraction of people are NOS (not otherwise specified). Type 1 is the most common bipolar disorder that is given genetically. Children born with type 1 often have parent or parents with bipolar type 1 as well. Type 2 is just as common in the population; however it is not usually genetically transferred. This means a child with type 2 could have the disorder as a symptom of some other mental illness. Cyclothymia is often visible in senior citizens and people over the age of 40. This type will often be the early stages of dementia or other metal disease that attacks you brain with age. Those who are diagnosed as NOS can have a mixture of the types of bipolar disorder, or an entirely new type of bipolar disorder that is unnamed.

What is Bipolar Type 2?

Often time’s bipolar type 2 goes improperly diagnosed. People with type 2 will often go into depressive episodes called hypomania. Therefore bipolar type 2 is often misdiagnosed as depression. People with this type of bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for suicide, because they go through sudden and possibly frequent depressive episodes.

What is a Depressive Episode?

A Depressive Episode also known as a hypomania episode is an episode that someone with bipolar type 2 will go through. It is often described as a deep depressive sate where someone is deeply depressed, and looses all interest in other activities. As sudden as Depressive episode can come, they leave just a quickly. These episodes can be frequent for someone who is unmediated, and if unmediated. People with bipolar type 2 if not medicated should live with someone or be watched closely, because depressive episodes can often lead to self-harm or potential suicide. It is uncommon for those with bipolar type 2 to have signs of bipolar psychosis. However, there are those with type 2 that have bipolar psychosis.

Bipolar Psychosis

Bipolar psychosis is a serious mental disease that can be linked with certain types of bipolar disorder. IT is more common for people with type 1 to have this disease; however there is a small population of people with type 2 who have bipolar psychosis. This disease affects your brain in a way that you can’t tell the difference between reality and fiction. People with bipolar psychosis are often described as “in a dream world.” Those with this disease often believe that books are real, and that characters on TV shows and movies exist. Some people claim that they hear voices, and children often describe the voices as friendly. There doesn’t seem to be a link between bipolar psychosis, and suicide. Although there is a small fraction of people who attempted suicide due to the voices in their head telling them to kill themselves.

People with Bipolar Type 2

When a person with bipolar type 2 is going through a depressive episode they can often have suicidal thoughts, have risky behaviors, and lose interest in things they enjoy, become easily annoyed, and become restless. They can also have insomnia, and have unpleasant hallucinations. Most people can be characterized during a depressive episode as irritable, unhappy, negative, tired, claustrophobic, reckless, and deeply saddened. Teens and children will often go into a deep depression, and cry hysterically over small things. They will often hear voices or hallucinate during a depressive episode, and teens and children become more at risk for suicidal thoughts or actions.

Medication for Type 2

There are many medications on the market that can help control different symptoms of bipolar type 2. Most on the market advertise themselves as an anti-depressant. The most popular currently is Paxil. However, some doctors won’t prescribe it due to its tendency to give bipolar type 2 patients manic episodes from time to time. Paxil can also be paired with the drug Epivel which will keep down the manic episodes that you could experience.  Doctors are often known for mixing other combinations of medications to help with bipolar symptoms. The side-effects of Paxil and Epivel include:

• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Bone tenderness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Memory loss
• Shallow breathing
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Fainting
• Sped up heart rate
• Possible worsening of depression

Taking Paxil and Epivel could also mean that if you get pregnant that the baby could be born with serious birth defects such as a mental illness. Remember to never take Paxil with anything but water. This includes alcoholic beverages, juices, and sodas. Never take more medication to make-up for a lost does. This could be considered overdosing which can be fatal. A kin rash or the swelling of your tongue and throat could be a sign that you are allergic to the medication. Make sure that you talk to your doctor before taking this medication.

Knowing the facts about bipolar disorder type 2 is important because you are a person. The information should help you care for yourself or someone you know with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can ruin lives, and a huge percentage of people have the disorder. Remember to be kind to these people, help them, and if you have bipolar disorder go to counseling and get on a medication that can help you.

What are the Three Types of Bipolar Disorder?

The three known types of bipolar disorder are type 1, type 2, and cyclothymia. Each type has special characteristics that make it stand out from the other types. There is also a part of the population that has NOS or not otherwise specified bipolar disorder. More than 2 ½ percent of the population has NOS.  There is also research being done on a bipolar type 3. They believe this happens when someone is taking an anti-depressant, and it leads them to switch into mania or hymenia.

What is Bipolar Type 1?

Bipolar type 1 is often present in those who have major maniac episodes. Those that experienced deep depression can also have bipolar type 1. This type often times involves bipolar psychosis. Often times to be diagnosed with bipolar type 1 the person must be off any medications. Medications can cause episodes that look like they are caused by bipolar disorder, but are actually cause by an allergic reaction, or mental reaction to medications, or toxins. Bipolar type 1 is also the most common bipolar type that children are born with, because it is easily given to children during pregnancy if a mother is bipolar and has type 1.

What is Bipolar Psychosis?

People who have bipolar psychosis cannot tell the difference between the real-world and the world of their imagination. Often times those with bipolar psychosis hear voices, think that actors form to shows and movies are the characters they play, and believe that everything that happens in books happens in real life. In some ways these people see reality like a five-year old would. They take everything at face value, and believe everything they are told. This isn’t their fault, but their bipolar disorder has messed with the chemicals in the brain which gives them a distorted view of reality. However, there doesn’t seem to be a link between bipolar psychosis and bipolar suicides. Although a small percentage of bipolar patients who have attempted suicide talk about hearing voices that are telling them to kill themselves.

What is a Maniac Episode?

When someone is bipolar type 1 they will often have sudden and possibly frequent manic episodes. During these episodes people are characterized as overly joyful, air-headed, talkative, energetic, forgetful, and restless. They often experience loss of sleep, unable to find things to use up their energy, anxious, and unproductive. Children and teenagers will often be distracted by sounds, or things in the corner of the eye. They can also become distracted by the sound of a word. They may go on and on about ice cream cones, and microphones, because they sound similar. Girls have been known to wear bright colors, and boys have been known to become very feminine with their clothing choices (oftentimes children and teens are bullied during manic episodes due to the way they act, and the clothing they may wear).A maniac episode can be followed by anxiety and depression, however the person may also wake up one day, and the episode be over.

Medications for Bipolar Type 1

There are currently many medications on the market that can help with your bipolar type 1 symptom. However, the best one for relieving all of the symptoms is lamictal. It was originally used as a medication for those with epilepsy. However, it is proven to be the perfect mood stabilizer for those with bipolar type 1.  The most common side-effects of lamictal are dizziness, double vision, headaches, upper repository infection, vomiting, nausea, and tiredness. Sometimes a serious rash can occur. This rash can be fatal, and needs to be treated right away. IF you find any rash after taking lamictal stop taking it and call a doctor. Lamictal also has a birth defect warning. Those who take the medication have a higher risk of having a child born with a cleft lip or cleft palette. However, the baby is less at risk after having developed for five months. IF you can afford to go off the medication that long, it is recommended.

In the end there is no sure-fire cure for bipolar disorder type 1. However, like any illness your bipolar disorder may go into remission. Unless that happens it is important for you to understand everything about those who have bipolar disorder type 1. This will help you either understand yourself or others wit this type of bipolar disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as maniac depression, causes swift and often violent changes in people’s moods. It is a serious mental illness that can lead to dangerous behaviors, suicidal thoughts or actions, and the destruction of work and family relationships if left untreated. People with serious untreated bipolar can go from being excited to mad within a matter of minutes without anything to upset them. They can also go from happy to sad, sad to angry, or any other combination of total opposite emotions. Bipolar disorder messes with the part of your brain that controls emotions and emotional stability. Children diagnosed with bipolar may also have another underlying mental illness, and diagnosis for people over the age of 40 may mean that they are showing early signs of Dementia. So not only can bipolar disorder be its own illness, but it can be a symptom of other mental illnesses. Overall, bipolar disorder causes chaos in the lives of those who are diagnosed.

Who Gets Bipolar Disorder?

Anyone can be diagnosed with bipolar disorder at any time in their lives. The most common age to be diagnosed is early adolescents. This means most people are diagnosed from around age 13 to about age 15. Bipolar disorder is also an inherited disease. Children who have a bipolar parent have a 75% chance of being bipolar.  Those diagnosed younger than 12 may have the disorder as a symptom of another mental illness, and those diagnosed over the age of 40 might have the disorder as the symptoms of Dementia or other metal illness that older people are diagnosed with frequently. The disorder has even been linked as a symptom of certain cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Those who have bipolar disorder can have a variety of symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

• Intense Emotional States (over excited or joyful states are often called maniac episodes)
• Very Depressed Attitude Lasting for Several Days
• Multi-personality Problems
• Restlessness
• Suicidal thoughts or Actions
• Dangerous Behavior
• Lavish and Impulsive Sprees
• The Feeling of Needing to Be in Power
• Energy

Each of these symptoms can be dangerous and risky to the people who have bipolar disorder and those around them. Those who are medicated have a better chance of thinking more rationally when experiencing these symptoms, more than those who remain unmediated.

Those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are often described as energetic, powerful, dominating, talkative, and reckless during a manic episode. During an episode like this a person may be overly joyful, energetic, or overly excited. Some people are often described as angry, irritated, confused, depressed, annoying, and non-productive during a depressive episode. The change between these episodes can be very frequent and very sudden.

Oftentimes those who choose not to be on medication have these episodes more frequently than those who are on medication for the disorder. Between these episodes people can often have loss of pleasure, sleep loss, energy loss, and depression. The effects of bipolar disorder are never truly gone, even between maniac and depressive episodes.

Suicide and Bipolar Disorder

People who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder often enter moods of deep depression. During these moods of depression different people can have different behaviors. Some will sit and cry for hours, while others will engage in risky or dangerous activities. However, most people even children diagnosed as bipolar try to or think about committing suicide during their deep moods of depression. Studies show that 75% of those diagnosed with bipolar disorder have though about taking their life and 60% have attempted to. When people are contemplating suicide they will often be obsessed with death or people who have died, talk about what would happen if they were to die, losing interest in things they care about, constant self-harm, and saying they can hear voices. If someone is to have these signs 911 should be called immediately, especially if they have bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Treatment

Even though bipolar disorder is a terrifying illness there is a treatment that is helping those with their disorder.  This treatment is called Lithium. It is a pill that is made of a natural salt. It helps balance chemicals in your brain. However, this medication has severe side-effects, and should only be taken by those with severer bipolar disorder. There are also two other bipolar medications, however, they have similar side-effects, and are the only other available treatments.

Those who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder can lead lives that are full of terrible mood swings, and heart-breaking depression. However, it is important to know the facts about bipolar disorder so that you can help yourself or anyone else overcome their bipolar disorder, get on a medication, and live a relatively

Ways to Diagnose Bipolar Disorder

There are a few ways to find if you are bipolar. If you are exhibiting symptoms your doctor can order blood tests, brain fluid tests, and brain scans. The problem is that there is no tests that can actually diagnose the disorder. Your doctor will take your different tests results and compare the findings with your symptoms. This is why some people are misdiagnosed. However, you can test yourself for bipolar disorder using a variety of tests you take over the internet.  Just like medical tests they aren’t 100% accurate, but you can take the results to a doctor and have him or her take other tests, and examine your symptoms. You must remember that these internets tests can be faulty, and some are even scams to take your money. You should always use a reliable website; and take your results to a doctor before taking any medication.

Testing Yourself

There are a variety of websites that allow taking tests that will tell you if you have bipolar disorder. Remember that these tests are not 100% accurate, but are a good way to decide if you should go to the doctor for further testing. You should always go to an official bipolar disorder site to take these tests. You can get these official websites of off pamphlets about bipolar disorder, or form your doctor. Unofficial websites could be scams. The ways to spot a scam include:

• To take the test you must enter a credit card number
• At the end of the test it asks for personal information
• The site tries to sell you medications after you take the tests

If a bipolar testing site does any of these three tings, it’s probably a scam, and you shouldn’t take the test. However the way to spot a good website includes:

• A variety of information about bipolar disorder
• Gives you a list of 2 or more tests
• Everything stays on that site, it doesn’t redirect you to another site
• The test is printable
• You don’t have to enter a credit card number
• The site doesn’t ask for personal information other than an email address

These are the signs of a website that has tests that can help you. Remember to always take your doctor the results before starting any medication; he or she can order more tests to help confirm the diagnosis.

A Deceitful Doctor

There have been cases in the past where doctors from small clinics claiming to be able to run blood work, and scans or tests that will give you a 100% accurate diagnosis. There is NO scientific evidence to prove that these tests, scans, or blood work can actually give you a 100% accurate diagnosis. However, the tests can help you doctor determine whether to diagnose you as bipolar or not. Also a good doctor won’t order many tests, he or she will spend longer looking at your symptoms rather than your test results.  Also remember that your family history plays a big part in whether you have the disorder or not. Many people with bipolar disorder have a family history of the disorder. You need to make sure that your doctor isn’t making false claims, that he is paying attention to your family history, and paying very close attention to your symptoms. If your doctor is doing things incorrectly go see another doctor. Your health is too important not be cared for correctly.

Symptoms to Watch For

Some people only go to the doctor when they are sick. Oftentimes people will feel that the bipolar disorder is their fault, or that it is just depression or stress. If you are experiencing the following symptoms then you may want to go to a doctor and talk about bipolar disorder:

• Deep Depression that lasts for more than 2 weeks
• Your family says you are overly energetic for mare than 2 weeks
• You choose to wear bright colors for a period of time before cooping yourself up in your room and refuse to talk to those around you
• Loss of interest in things that you enjoy
• You become irritable, and sensitive every few months for more than 2 weeks
• You are exhibiting risky or dangerous behavior
• You treat yourself to lavish vacations, or spur of the moment shopping trips that are putting you in debt
• you are hearing voices
• Suicidal Thought or actions

More than two of these symptoms together may be the signs of bipolar disorder, and you should talk to your doctor immediately. You may be able to get on medication to stabilize your emotions.

It is important to remember that tests used for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder are not 100% accurate. Those who tell you otherwise, including doctors are liars. Make sure that if you test yourself that you stay off of seedy websites that could scam you and if you are experiencing any bipolar- like symptoms talk to your doctor. Also remember to never lie on written tests that the doctor may give you. Being honest I the first step to getting better.