BIPOLAR DISORDER

DiAGNOSIS

• Proper diagnosis and treatment help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. Talking with a doctor or other licensed mental health professional is the first step for anyone who thinks he or she may have bipolar disorder. The doctor can complete a physical exam to rule out other conditions. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses, the doctor may conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.

SYMPTOMS OF MANIC EPISODES

• Feel very “up,” “high,” or elated Have a lot of energy Have increased activity levels Feel “jumpy” or “wired” Have trouble sleeping Become more active than usual Talk really fast about a lot of different things Be agitated, irritable, or “touchy” Feel like their thoughts are going very fast Think they can do a lot of things at once Do risky things, like spend a lot of money or have reckless sex

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSIVE EPISODES

• Feel very sad, down, empty, or hopeless Have very little energy Have decreased activity levels Have trouble sleeping, they may sleep too little or too much Feel like they can’t enjoy anything Feel worried and empty Have trouble concentrating Forget things a lot Eat too much or too little Feel tired or “slowed down” Think about death or suicide

TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDERS

• Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care.
• Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes
• Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years

RISK FACTORS

• Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most agree that there is no single cause. Instead, it is likely that many factors contribute to the illness or increase risk.
• Brain Structure and Functioning, Genetics, Family History

TREATMENT AND THERAPY

• Treatment helps many people—even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder
• Medication - Mood stabilizers Atypical antipsychotics Antidepressants
• Standard therapy is another good choice

COSTS

• Not only is bipolar disorder a chronic, severe psychiatric disorder, it is also expensive to treat and expensive to society. An estimate of the total cost of bipolar disorder made more than a decade ago was as high as $45 billion per year.
• There is no direct answer on average cost for a family with someone that has bipolar disorders

AWARENESS

• The majority of Americans have heard about it but don’t understand it
• The best way to create awareness would be to jut communicate the disorder effectively

FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH IT

• Vincent Van Gogh, artist, painter, drawer. Carrie Fisher, actress, writer and humorist. Russell Brand, comedian and actor. Dick Cavett, television journalist. Stephen Fry, actor, comedian and writer. Larry Flynt, publisher. Demi Lovato, singer, actress and writer. Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress.

SOURCES

• https://www.bphope.com/blog/3-simple-ways-to-raise-awareness-about-bipolar-... https://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2005/2005-06-vol11-n3suppl/jun05-2...