drpauladurlofsky.com

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

The Mood Roller Coaster. Understanding Bipolar Disorders.


                                                                    


     Variations in our moods and energy levels are normal. We all have our share of days when we feel happy and excited, days when we feel sad and down, and even days when we feel both. On our "happy days" we may feel invigorated, joyful, and have an extra dose of self-confidence. On our "down days" we might feel blue, less energetic, and may have fleeting moments of sadness. For most people variations in their mood and energy do not prevent them from taking care of their daily responsibilities or interfere with their relationships and careers. Their "swings" in mood are far and few in between. People with bipolar disorder, on the other hand, have significant and frequent variations in their moods and energy levels. They rapidly go back and forth between periods of feeling very "high" to periods of feeling very "low". The disease is called bipolar disorder because the person affected with it alternates between two completely opposite poles-euphoric happiness and extreme sadness. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. The average age of onset is between late teens to early 20's. The disease has also been shown to run in families, so a person that has a relative diagnosed with bipolar disorder has a higher risk of developing the disorder at some point during his/her life time.
     There are two types of bipolar disorders: bipolar type I and bipolar type II. In bipolar type I the person has had at least one manic mood along with periods of major depression. A manic mood is described as feeling "unusually high" and euphoric. Some people during a manic period will go on shopping sprees, gamble, drink more alcohol than usual, participate in recreational drug use, and have numerous and risky sexual encounters. They may also experience disturbances with their sleep, have racing thoughts, and become hyper-verbal. A manic period can also be experienced as a persistent irritable mood.

                                                              
     Bipolar type II disorder is less extreme than bipolar type I. People with bipolar type II have never had a full manic episode. Instead they experience elevated moods (hypo-mania) and high energy with periods of depression, but their "highs" are not as extreme as they are in bipolar type I disorder.  And people with bipolar disorder type II are often wrongly diagnosed with clinical depression. Furthermore, in both bipolar type I and bipolar type II manic states can occur in rapid succession to depressive moods and this is called a "mixed" state.
     The good news is that with proper treatment, often including medications, this disease can be effectively managed. A combination of mood stabilizers, psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be the most successful combination of treatment. Psychotherapy and CBT aims to alleviate core symptoms by helping the individual to recognize mood triggers, reduce negative expressed and felt emotions, and practice coping strategies that may lead to remission.
    It is important to get an evaluation by a mental health professional if you think you have either bipolar type I or bipolar type II disorder. With proper treatment this diease can be successfully treated and managed. Below are four tips to help those with bipolar type I and bipolar type II disorder:

1. Make sure you get enough sleep. Not getting proper rest can trigger a manic episode.

2. Get regular physical exercise. Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression.

3. Make sure you have a plan in place for when your symptoms return.  This will help reduce the severity of consequences that can occur in a manic or depressive state.

4. Join a support group. Getting support from other people diagnosed with bipolar disorder can help decrease feelings of isolation. A support group can also give you the chance to learn new strategies for coping with your symptoms.

 Do you have bipolar type I or bipolar type II disorder? Do you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with this disorder? Do you have useful tips to share? I would like to hear from you.

This article was written by Paula Durlofsky, Ph.D., a practicing psychologist in Bryn Mawr, PA. Please email all questions or comments to drpauladurlofsky@gmail.com. To learn more about me and my practice visit my web page at www.drpauladurlofsky.com. 






4 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. iam not sure what type i have but i know i have it . i have just come out of a 8 week manic phase and have ruined my life once again i have lost old friends and i feel worthless. at the moment i feel i will just run away as my children don't need a mother who drinks and screams , tries to have sexual relations with anyone whom they may meet. sometimes i don't even know why i do things but it seems like the best idea in the world at the time. i cannot think this is going to last forever as that is too frightening to think i cannot live a normal life again. my dad took his life when i was 15 he had bi polar too. i hate everything about this condition and all it has took away from me and my family. im only 29 so i guess i have lots of time to cope. the drugs do not work any more . just have to look at the bank account or my lack of empathy with my children to know that this has me beat completely beat. its a sad life with bi polar i wouldn't wish it on any one i would rather have no life in my body than to watch someone else go through this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks for your great and helpful presentation I like your good service.I always appreciate your post.I’m really amazed with your posting skills as well as with the layout on your blog site.
    Very informative and well written post.
    types of bipolar disorder

    ReplyDelete