BIPOLAR DISORDER Group C

Introduction Bipolar disorder — sometimes called manic-depressive disorder —is a lifelong condition and is associated with mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts in the other direction, you may feel euphoric and full of energy. Mood shifts may occur only a few times a year, or as often as several times a day. In some cases, bipolar disorder causes symptoms of depression and mania at the same time. Most people with bipolar disorder when ill or when symptomatic experience more lows than highs. What is Bipolar Disorder?

Symptoms Depressed mood most of the day; feeling sad or empty, tearful Significant loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain; decrease or increase in appetite Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

Symptoms Continued Agitation; or slowing down of thoughts and reduction of physical movements Fatigue or loss of energy Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt Poor concentration or having difficulty making decisions Thinking about death or suicide

Causes The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but several factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering bipolar episodes: Biological differences. People with bipolar disorder appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes. Neurotransmitters. An imbalance in naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters seems to play a significant role in bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.

Causes Continued Hormones- Imbalanced hormones may be involved in causing or triggering bipolar disorder. Inherited traits- Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a blood relative (such as a sibling or parent) with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder. Environment- Stress, abuse, significant loss or other traumatic experiences may play a role in bipolar disorder.

Statistics In American adults there are around 5.7 million people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. More than two thirds of people who are living with Bipolar disorder will have a history of bipolar disorder in their family.

Maria’s Interview Q. How do you see Bipolar Disorder portrayed? A. One extreme emotion to another. Q. How often do you see these extremes? A. Everyday for some people they are rarely neutral. Q. What can cause the change in emotion? A. Anything and everything or nothing at all

Maria’s Interview Q. What is a big misconception about Bipolar disorder? A. Its not always just depression, it can also mean extreme anger Q. How often is medication used? A. Medicine is just a band aid, you can be trained to control it, you have to be taught how to control it before you can go off medication