Therapist Unlimited Blog

The Bipolar Disorder Reality
By Jacob Malewitz

Bipolar disorder may become a reality for you. The new tag word for this condition no longer is simple depression or manic depression -it is now Bipolar disorder, a major mental illness in the world today. This article explains the reality behind the condition, and then offers solutions to the problems. These points are offered via information published online-most notably The National Mental Health Services Center (NMHSC)-with reworked descriptions and solutions.

The Description:
The best description of Bipolar disorder is constant mood swings. This means extreme cases of both happiness and sadness. According to the NMHSC bipolar disorder usually strikes within your twenties. Often it will be hard to catch this mental illness before it hits home, causing a major problem for you. The best thing to do is be aware of changing mental states, going to the professionals who can help you more than family or friends. Some solutions include family and friends, but rarely should these groups be your only form of support.

Solutions:
The medication parts are obvious. There are other methods, but according to the NMHSC 80 percent or more of people with bipolar disorder can be effectively treated-a surprisingly huge number, but we have been fighting this illness, in some form, for decades. There are other solutions to this problem, notably the kind of mental support your doctors cannot give you.

You are Not Alone:
Millions deal with mental disorders-most notably depression and bipolar disorder-on a daily basis. There is no shame in being diagnosed with this. By going to your friends and family for help you put strength in your corner. Almost everyone, at some point in their life, goes through trials. Sure, not all of us end up in an institution, but the majority of people in the world have bouts of depression. The difference is bipolar disorder is different: a disease which shouldnít be underestimated, a disease you cannot outrun.

When Youíre Alone:
You will, in some sense, fight this illness on your own. On one hand, you will need professionals to help you. Itís imperative to realize the reality: at some stage you could be a danger to friends and family. It doesnít mean you will be locked up; it means youíre being honest. When you are alone, there are some positive solutions that, though somewhat obvious, can be forgotten. You take up an art; put a positive movie in; go for walks; exercise, or anything to put your mind at work. This is much like dealing with a drug addiction, in that maybe you can outrun it, but in some way you are fighting by yourself. The doctors, family, and friends will be there, but rarely can they force you to take medication or make appointments. It will be up to you.

So it is a Reality:
So we can say, with millions afflicted, that bipolar disorder is a reality, just as much as depression. Itís not a new, coy term used by doctors to medicate people. There are still many questions about this illness-like how it affects the brain-but most studies agree that, in almost every case, you can live with it.

End on a Safe Note:
Finally, you cannot always trust yourself, your actions, or what you are feeling. Itís important to arrange appointments with doctors (professionals) and to always keep them aware if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others. Even then, you are not alone, and have nothing to be ashamed about.

Source:
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA-3504/what.asp