1. Awareness Training Fiona Cooper

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. Bipolar Person Bipolar Person High Energy Positive mood Negative mood
Low Energy
Positive mood
                                           
Paranoia
Mania
hypomania
anxiety
Depression
Bipolar Person
Calm

7. 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

8. Mood Scale

10. 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

11. Unpredictable!

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. People can remain well for long periods of time
But
People can remain well for long periods of time

16. 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

17. What helps Medication Therapy Self-Management Self-Help Groups

18. 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,

19. 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

20. 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!

21. 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

22. 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

23. A day at the office….The firefighter
The triggers:
Rotating shift patterns
Disclosure / stigma
Review meetings

24. What Bipolar UK offers Website Youth Service ‘e community’
Information leaflets
Support
Support Groups

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