Awareness Training Fiona Cooper www.bipolaruk.org.uk

To help you understand what Bipolar Disorder is Our Aims Today To help you understand what Bipolar Disorder is To help you understand the mood scale and other tools that can help in the work place To talk about the services Bipolar UK offers www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Causes very extreme responses to stress Emotional Physical What is Bipolar? Brain dysfunction that prevents the body from regulating moods correctly Causes very extreme responses to stress Emotional Physical External stimuli – noise, light, smell Results in intense mood and energy swings (Depression & Mania) www.bipolaruk.org.uk

What Is Bipolar? 1% to 2% of the population experience a lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder The impact of bipolar affects not just the person with the condition, but their family and friends as well It is one of the top causes of lost years of life and health in 15 to 44 year olds – ranking above war and violence It takes an average of 10.5 years to receive a correct diagnosis for bipolar in the UK www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Non Bipolar Person Non Bipolar Person High Energy Positive mood Low Energy Negative mood Positive mood                                             Feel good with lots of energy Feel anxious Feel content and relaxed Feel low Non Bipolar Person www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Bipolar Person Bipolar Person High Energy Positive mood Negative mood Low Energy Positive mood                                             Paranoia Mania hypomania anxiety Depression Bipolar Person Calm www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Bipolar Person Nicola’s Journey High Energy Positive mood Negative mood High Energy Low Energy Positive mood                                             Paranoia Mania hypomania anxiety Depression Bipolar Person Calm www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Mood Scale www.bipolaruk.org.uk

www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Death of a family member Divorce Imprisonment Triggers Death of a family member Divorce Imprisonment Separation Personal injury or illness Retirement Marriage Birth of a child Moving house Falling in love Oustanding personal achievement Change in job Going on holiday Christmas Pregnancy Minor violation of the law Dismissal from work Financial difficulties Change in leisure activities www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Unpredictable! www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Who Gets Bipolar Disorder? Someone who has suffered trauma or extreme stress Someone who has ancestors that may have had depression or Bipolar disorder It affects around one in a hundred people It affects people of all ethnic backgrounds and genders. www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Warning Signs - Depression Depressed mood Loss of interest in most activities Changes in weight and appetite Decrease in physical activity Fatigue and loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness Excessive feelings of guilt Poor concentration Sleep disturbance Suicidal thoughts www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Inflated sense of importance Extreme irritability Warning Signs - Mania Unnaturally high Inflated sense of importance Extreme irritability Incoherent, racing thoughts Excessive rapid speech Lack of concentration Reduced need for sleep Excessive risk taking Lack of inhibitions www.bipolaruk.org.uk

People can remain well for long periods of time But People can remain well for long periods of time www.bipolaruk.org.uk

And there are some benefits from bipolar Euphoria feels very pleasurable But left untreated ends in exhaustion and depression Hypomania is very productive but can progress to mania or depression Creativity is common Overly conscientious Keen to please www.bipolaruk.org.uk

What helps Medication Therapy Self-Management Self-Help Groups www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Anti-mania effect, reduces cycling Mood stabilisers Medication Antipsychotic drugs Anti-mania effect, reduces cycling Mood stabilisers Dampens the high and the low moods Anti depressants Side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, weight gain, blurred vision, headaches, stomach pains, trouble concentrating, nausea, www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Keep busy but don’t take on too many things Learning to say no! Lifestyle Structure or routine Achievable goals Keep busy but don’t take on too many things Learning to say no! Rest regularly and ensure regular sleep Limit the intake of stimulants Involve others in the monitoring of changes in mood Keep involved, avoid isolation www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Don’t overload a Bipolar person Support you can offer Don’t overload a Bipolar person They have a tendancy to take on too much They will struggle to say “no – I don’t have enough time” Be aware of signs of stress Provide opportunities to talk about how they feel They are big big worriers! Make sure they know you are happy with them If you don’t show them that you are happy with them, they will worry that you are not! Don’t isolate them when they become less social Social interaction helps to overcome depression Warn them when their behaviour is out of character If they ignore you – it might be because it is too late! www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Help the employee to identify triggers A day at the office …….. Return to work Open discussion Help the employee to identify triggers Put in place reasonable adjustments Tools – mood scales / advance statement www.bipolaruk.org.uk

A day at the office… the receptionist The triggers: The fire alarm goes off The constant ring of the telephone The lighting the office Unclear www.bipolaruk.org.uk

A day at the office….The firefighter The triggers: Rotating shift patterns Disclosure / stigma Review meetings www.bipolaruk.org.uk

What Bipolar UK offers Website Youth Service ‘e community’ Information leaflets Support Support Groups www.bipolaruk.org.uk

National Development Manager fcooper@bipolaruk.org.uk 01270 230260 Contact Us Fiona Cooper National Development Manager fcooper@bipolaruk.org.uk 01270 230260 www.bipolaruk.org.uk twitter.com/bipolaruk facebook.com/bipolaruk Registered Charity No 293340 www.bipolaruk.org.uk