MBP

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What is Bipolar Disorder?

There are many names and references to bipolar disorder, including:

Manic Depressive Disorder
Manic Depression
Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder defined by the presence of one or more abnormally elevated moods, also known as mania or hypomania. These can be preceded, followed by or in conjunction with depressive episodes as well. Bipolar may present itself differently from one person to the next. While some may have periods of normalcy in between episodes, others may go from one manic or depressive episode to the next.

In layman’s terms (for those without a masters in psychology), it is like being on a roller coaster with a blindfold on. There are ups, downs and stall periods in between of varying length where you are just building up to the next up or down.

Learn more about the types of bipolar and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

What is Bipolar Disorder? »

Bipolar Facts

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Types of Bipolar

The main symptoms of bipolar disorder are unpredictable mood swings. It can be further broken down into the following groups, or types, of bipolar.

Bipolar I – Someone with Bipolar I has had at least one manic episode in his or her lifetime.

Bipolar II – Someone with Bipolar II has had up and down moods, but the high moods never make it to a full manic episode.

Rapid Cycling – Someone with rapid cycling bipolar have four or more episodes of manic and/or depressive episodes within the time span of one year.

Mixed Bipolar – Someone with mixed bipolar has up and down moods that cycle over time, with manic and depressive episodes happening simultaneously or switching quickly from one to the next.

Cyclothymia – Someone with cyclothymia experiences a milder version of classic bipolar symptoms in the form of less powerful ups and downs.

Types of Bipolar »

Bipolar Facts, Bipolar Symptoms

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Bipolar Symptoms – Manic and Depressive Episodes

There are two major parts of bipolar disorder – manic episodes and depressive episodes. The following are symptoms that may occur during the manic phase of bipolar:

Feeling a state of euphoria
Unusually high optimism and inflated self-esteem
Agitation and aggressive behavior
Rapid thoughts and fast speech
Inability to focus or concentrate
Increased need to set and achieve goals
Increased physical activity
Increased sex drive
Poor judgment and risky behavior
Spending sprees and drug abuse

In sharp contrast to a manic episode, the next symptoms may present themselves in the depressive phase of bipolar:

Sadness and hopelessness
Anxiety and irritability
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Sleep problems and fatigue
Loss of interest in things usually found pleasurable
Strong or constant feelings of guilt
Appetite changes
Chronic pain with no obvious cause
Problems with concentration and focus

Bipolar Symptoms – Manic and Depressive Episodes »

Bipolar Experience

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When the Unquiet Mind Does Not Stir

For the majority of my day, from the moment I start waking up till the moment I am falling asleep, I am always thinking. Lots of thoughts on a variety of subjects including work, personal goals, romance, sports, an so forth.

Sometimes, however, I experience what I call silence on the airwaves, where my brain just stops. It can happen anywhere. In the middle of playing sports, at work, while shopping, etc. My mind just stops racing. No matter how much I would like to thinking about other things, I just can’t. It doesn’t feel difficult that I can’t focus, because I’m just not motivated to focus.

This is a feeling that I commonly associate with being depressed, except it doesn’t always just happen when I’m depressed. There are times when my mind is completely empty, and yet I am perfectly content. Content to just do nothing.

Maybe that is a normal feeling, to have times when nothing is rattling around inside one’s head. But it’s not for me. And after I get over the weirdness of the feeling, I grow to enjoy it. I try a little to think about something I could normally obsess about, and when nothing happens, nothing triggers a crazy spiral of thoughts – I am happy. If the opportunity is right, and I don’t have to get my mind on track again, I just go with it for as long as it lasts.

I think it’s the sensation most people have before falling asleep. Everything just slowly winding down to drift off to dream land. Just prolonging that state of relaxed absence of thoughts. I don’t even want to fall asleep, although I am sure it would lead to a blissful rest. Instead, I just enjoy it, because I know the chaos in my mind will ultimately start up again, sooner than later.

When the Unquiet Mind Does Not Stir »

Mental Health

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Ways to Start 2011 on a Positive Note

It may be psychological, but starting the year on a positive note can set the mood for the rest of the year. That’s why people set New Years resolutions; it acknowledges that the New Year is kind of a fresh start, giving you the opportunity to make changes in your life. Although a new year isn’t quite a clean slate, starting it off right can make you feel better about yourself and give you something to focus on now that the holidays are over.

Here are a few ways to start 2011 on a positive note.

Set at least one resolution that you can achieve quickly and easily. To be the most effective, your New Years resolutions should be quantifiable and short-term, rather than broad and sweeping. For instance, rather than making one of your resolutions to lose weight in 2011, make it to work out 3 times a week in January. That way, you will see results quickly, and feel good about yourself as a result. And who is to say you can’t make another resolution for February to keep up the good work?
Declutter. Although we often think of it as spring cleaning, January is actually a great time to go through your things and get rid of what you don’t want or use. You just got a bunch of new stuff for Christmas, so decluttering will help you to make room for it. Besides, decluttering also tends to make you feel pretty good about yourself, as if you are shedding weight when you get rid of your unwanted or unneeded possessions.
Take care of your mental health. Whether this means something as simple as getting a massage or something as serious as making an appointment with a psychiatrist, remember that taking care of your mental health is the most important part of maintaining a positive outlook. Whether you just need to treat yourself once in a while, take a vacation to get away from everything for a short time, or get therapy, it will help you deal with things better if you are in a more positive frame of mind.
Be thankful. The tradition of creating New Years resolutions actually tends to focus you on what is lacking in your life, rather than allowing you to appreciate what is good. While making resolutions can be a positive thing if they are the kind you can achieve, so that you don’t get bogged down by a sense of failure, it is also wise to take a moment to list the things you have to be thankful for in your life. Sure, maybe you could stand to make a few small changes in your life, but hey — you also have lots going for you. When everyone gets focused on what they want to do differently in 2011, make sure you also keep in mind all the GOOD things in your life, the things you wouldn’t want to change.
A new year seems almost magical, doesn’t it? The holidays have ended, but you have another 12 months ahead of you, full of possibility. The year 2011 hasn’t been written yet, and while there will be a lot that is beyond your control, there will also be a lot that you DO have a say in. Starting the year off on a positive note will help you to make better decisions when it is within your control, and roll with the punches, so to speak, when it is not!

Ways to Start 2011 on a Positive Note »