Life with Bipolar Disorder

Byron Poliano

This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

Disclaimer

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating states of depression and mania Formerly called manic-depressive disorder Characterized by two (bi-) opposing poles

(-polar) of emotion Doom of depression and lack of inhibition of

mania directly contradict each other

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar I – Most extreme form of disorder involving a manic or mixed episode (alternation between depression and mania within a day for several days) as well as a depressive episode

Bipolar II – Involves hypomania (less severe than mania: lack of psychotic hallucinations or delusions)

Cyclothymic disorder – Hypomania with relatively mild depressive periods

Frequent cycling between emotional poles may also occur

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Depressive state Lethargy Feelings of worthlessness Loss of interest in loved ones and friends Lack of motivation to carry out tasks and take part

in activities Mania

Hyperactive euphoria Extreme optimism, but disposition to irritation Lack of inhibitions (may lead to reckless and

irresponsible choices) Overactive, over energetic, and restless Creativity surges

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Although many symptoms of mania can be maladaptive, mania has historically shown to bring boosted creativity which many harnessed in their music, texts, and other works Poet Walt Whitman Author Virginia Woolf Author Samuel Clemens (pen name Mark

Twain) Author Ernest Hemingway Artist Vincent van Gogh

Notable People with Bipolar Disorder

Notable People with Bipolar Disorder Pictured

From left to right, top to bottom: Twain, van Gogh, Whitman, Woolf, Hemingway

Gender-neutral disorder Affects men and women equally, but women may

mix and cycle between states more quickly and may be more inclined to depressive states than manic states

Found in all sorts of races, ages, social classes, and ethno cultural groups

Affects roughly 5.7 million American adults (2.6% of the United States population)

Up to 20% of those with bipolar disorder successfully complete suicide, reducing the expected life span by roughly 9 years

Strong hereditary influence with a heritability of 0.71

Facts, Statistics, and Demographics of Bipolar Disorder

One monozygotic (identical) twin with bipolar disorder predicts a corresponding diagnosis of the other twin in 70% of cases In contrast, one dizygotic (fraternal) twin with bipolar

disorder predicts a corresponding diagnosis of the other twin in less than 20% of cases

Neurotransmitter imbalances due to gene coding variations relevant to bipolar disorder Noradrenaline and serotonin relevant to bipolar disorder

Excessive levels in mania and inadequate levels in depression

Some theorize dopamine and glutamate to be involved in psychotic symptoms of Bipolar I mania

Biochemical Basis of Bipolar Disorder

Omega-3 fatty acid may aid brain function and may be effective in combatting depression and bipolar disorder Found in walnuts and fish

Manic states involve sped up and increased brain activity

Depressed states involve slowed down and decreased brain activity

Physiologically, those with bipolar disorder may have smaller frontal lobes (if left untreated), progressively shrinking amygdalae, and enlarged ventricles

The Brain and Bipolar Disorder

The Brain and Bipolar Disorder Visualized

From left to right, top to bottom: PET scans of alternating emotional states, enlarged ventricle imaging, amygdala shrinkage graphs

There are many false notions about bipolar disorder: Mania is better and safer than depression Bipolar disorder is an official name for mood swings One will inevitably end up with bipolar disorder if it runs

in the family People with bipolar disorder are dangerous and tend to

violently affect other Depressive episodes just need some positive thinking The euphoria of mania balances out the hopelessness of

depression, so bipolar disorder isn’t all that bad Mania is fun Bipolar disorder is an excuse for inability to deal with the

real world

Common Myths about Bipolar Disorder

Several truths contradict the myths of bipolar disorder: Reckless choices surrounding mania can pose serious

danger to one’s health, relationships, and career Strong biological influence, but there is no guarantee

of passing on bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is a mental illness: there is no

“toughing it out” and thinking positively isn’t the panacea some may treat it to be

People with bipolar disorder are not significantly more likely to cause external violence than others despite some suicidal tendencies

Truths about Bipolar Disorder

Medication Lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotic drugs,

benzodiazepines, antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy

Psychotherapy Cognitive therapy Behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy Interpersonal (relationship-based) therapy

Managing a balanced and healthy lifestyle Regular sleep and eating Avoid alcohol and drugs

Treating Bipolar Disorder

I had suicidal thoughts…

After the early onset of bipolar…

I feel restless and full of energy…

During a manic episode…

I cry while I exclaim my happiness…

During a mixed episode…

I feel worthless and become inactive…

During a depressive episode...

I feel overloaded and disconnected from the real world with false sensations and thoughts…

During psychosis…

I lose control of my feelings and emotions…

When I forget my medication…

I can identify and work with my thoughts and reduce stress on myself and my relationships…

When I have therapy…

I can balance my feelings of both fatigue and excessive energy…

With just the right lifestyle…