Bipolar Disorder

Overview

• Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder
• Moods range from insane manic periods to crippling depression
• Symptoms are often confused with certain multiple personality disorders.
• Typically a familial disease

Diagnosis

• Bipolar disorder makes itself known in the late teens or early twenties
• Bipolar disorder typically lasts a lifetime
• Often confused with depression or hyperactivity disorders
• Highs are described as ""mania""
• Lows are called ""depression""

Misconceptions

• Bipolar disorder is NOT schizophrenia
• Those with the disease do are not psychotic
• Those with the disease typically live completely normal lives.

Causes

• A true cause has yet to be found
• A high level of dopamine has been associated with people with bipolar
• Drug users have developed bipolar disorder at a quicker rate than a non drug user.

Treatment

• Lithium and Valproate have been used extensively in the treatment of Bipolar disorder
• Anti-depressants are other possible treatment options.

Personal experience

• My oldest brother is diagnosed Bipolar
• I've experienced the mania and the depression first hand.
• There is hope with those diagnosed bipolar. If you dedicate yourself you can live a completely fulfilled life.