BIPOLAR DISORDER By: Julie Cooper Grace Deatherage Charlie Miller Kiersten Gallagher Lance Rodriguez

WHAT IS IT AND WHAT HAPPENS? Mental illness that causes shifts in mood, energy, and the ability to function. Mental illness that causes shifts in mood, energy, and the ability to function. Episodes of mania and depression Episodes of mania and depression Chemical imbalance of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Chemical imbalance of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine.

CAUSES (These are the main known causes of bipolar. Doctors are not 100% sure where all cases come from) Genetic factor Genetic factor Environmental factor Environmental factor Trauma/accident Trauma/accident Biological difference Biological difference Hormones Hormones

SYMPTOMS Depression/anger Depression/anger Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable Significant weight loss/change in appetite Significant weight loss/change in appetite Difficulty sleeping/severe insomnia Difficulty sleeping/severe insomnia Periods of high and low energy Periods of high and low energy Feelings of worthlessness/inappropriate guilt Feelings of worthlessness/inappropriate guilt Poor concentration and intuition Poor concentration and intuition State of psychosis/break from reality State of psychosis/break from reality Racing thoughts/nonstop talking Racing thoughts/nonstop talking Increased sexual drive Increased sexual drive “Spending sprees” “Spending sprees”

PREVENTION It’s not known how to prevent bipolar but some steps may help. Taking fish oil (fatty acid DHA) Taking fish oil (fatty acid DHA) -Study with mice that have bipolar -Study with mice that have bipolar Controlling stress Controlling stress When diagnosed with bipolar, some steps to prevent episodes are: Pay attention to warning signs Pay attention to warning signs Avoid drugs and alcohol Avoid drugs and alcohol Take medications exactly as directed Take medications exactly as directed Check first before taking other medications Check first before taking other medications

SUPPORT Family Family Friends Friends Doctors Doctors DBSA DBSA Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. (Sacramento) Crestwood Behavioral Health Inc. (Sacramento) Bridges to Recovery (Los Angeles) Bridges to Recovery (Los Angeles) NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hotlines: National Hopeline Network- ( Hotlines: National Hopeline Network- (800) 442-HOPE (4673) Youth America Hotline- (877) Youth America Hotline- (877)

FACTS Estimated 2.5 million people are affected by bipolar disorder. Estimated 2.5 million people are affected by bipolar disorder. 90% of bipolar disorder start before the age % of bipolar disorder start before the age 20. More than two-thirds of people with bipolar have one close relative who may share the same illness. More than two-thirds of people with bipolar have one close relative who may share the same illness. Consumers who report high levels of satisfaction with their treatment and treatment provider have a much more positive outlook about their illness and their ability to cope with it. (DBSA, 1999) Women tend to have more episodes of depression while men tend to have more episodes of anger.

QUIZ 1.Name at least one chemical in the brain that affects people with bipolar. 2.Name 2 causes of bipolar. 3.Name at least 2 symptoms of bipolar. 4.What are two places that someone with bipolar can go for help? 5.Roughly how many Americans are affected by bipolar each year?