Questions and Answers.

• What is bipolar?  

            Bipolar is a mental disorder under the form of psychoses. It's more common name is Manic Depressive Disorder. This is characterized by bouts of manic and depressed episodes-hence the name.  

In a Hypo mania episode, the sufferer experiences restlessness, the mood can be elevated, expansive or irritable. The behavior is bizarre and sometimes obnoxious. Other symptoms can include insomnia, loss of judgment, excessive talkativeness and generosity, racing thoughts and greatly increased social, sexual and work activity. In severe cases, the sufferer will be extremely confused and unable to function normally. 

In a depressive episode, the sufferer will typically withdraw themselves from the outer world and loses interest in all activities. Symptoms include early morning awakenings, loss of appetite or conversely increase in appetite (both abnormal amounts though), feelings of guilt, worthlessness, sorrow, hopelessness and helplessness, and most frighteningly - thoughts of suicide enter the mind.

• Who can be affected? I thought it was just druggies and alcoholics.

You could not be more wrong! Bipolar can effect anyone: old and young, men and women - it knows no boundaries or differences. Thankfully, diagnoses it is becoming more accessible and it is now possible to diagnose "baby bipolar". Diagnoses is the key to this disease as the sooner it is recognised, the sooner medication, help, can be applied. Bipolar is a time bomb waiting to explode with the worst possible outcome of suicide.

The misconception about the "type" of people to contract this disease is a popular one and one that needs to be cleared up. Drink and drugs are often a means of escaping the burden of bipolar or easing the pain and are not the cause. The drink or drugs may be the last twist of the knife but it is the bipolar that puts the knife in first.

• Isn't it just low-esteem and and not really a disease? 

Bipolar is a disease and is no more the fault of a sufferer than it is your fault if you broke your leg or your arm. It is essential that people realise this as the sufferer needs love, sympathy, compassion and quite frankly all the help they can get - it is worse enough doubting yourself, let alone people around, doubting you too.

The sufferer is unable to "pick themselves up" or "pull themselves together", it is just not as simple as that. They are not depressed because they want to be, nobody would choose to have bipolar! It is the constant goal of a sufferer to "be happy" again but sometimes it is just not possible, and only with proper medical help can they begin the long and hard climb to the top. This is a very lonely disease as more often then not, the loved ones are brutally pushed aside - if you can't love yourself, what hope have your family got of receiving your love?!  

•  What is the duration of Bipolar?                                                  

There is no time limit on bipolar, this disease can last from months to years. All cases are different, just as all people are different, so there is no set answer. Sufferers can go months or years without actually suffering an episode which makes it such a cruel disease: it can hit you just when you are nearly to the top, only to send you straight back down again.

• What treatment is available?

There are two methods of treatment:

1. Organic
2. Non organic

Organic method is the treatment with drugs in which the body is treated directly. These are explained in detail under medication.

Non organic methods improve the functioning of the sufferer through psychological means such as psychotherapy.

• What do I do if someone I know has this?

The first thing to do would be to seek help - the more help the better. A proper diagnoses and medical help is essential as soon as possible. The only other bit of advice would be to never give up and to always remember that no matter what they say and do to you, they do love you and cannot help it. Always have faith and hope and basically give as much attention, love and care as you can to them as they will need it. At times they may make you cry or make you mad but don't lose sight of the good person inside who desperately wants to be helped. There are no right or wrong ways of dealing with this or methods of treatment: use whatever suits and helps you. Finally, I wish you all the luck in the world and a speedy recovery.

• Where can I get more help?

The following web pages, links may be of use to you:

http://www.bpkids.org/

http://www.frii.com/~parrot/bip.html

http://bipolar.mentalhelp.net/