Bi-Polar

[Jeza]

I have read about this,but would like it explained to me, What was it formerly called?

[hc4361]

Manic depression

[losgigs]

Used to be called manic depression.

[ummmm]

Manic depression because they spend times being manic, which can last for weeks, sort of like being on a high. Then they crash.

[Jeza]

But Bi means two, doesn't it

[hc4361]

A person suffering from this horrendous condition is governed by hormones, chemicals in the brain.
He will go through periods of extreme depression with no obvious cause (such as bereavement, redundancy etc) and periods of exhilaration where he feels positive about everything and loses all sense of reason - he might go on spending sprees, gamble, fall in love, take risks with his business or his life, believing all is good and he is infallible.
Then crashes once again in to deep depression where he may feel suicidal, self harm or unable to do anything.
It is two extremes, a pendulum.
Many people have long periods of 'normality' between cycles of depression or mania and lots of very successful people have the condition and can manage it very well indeed.

[hc4361]

Yes, bi does mean two. Two extremes of mood in this case.

[woofgang]

At its worst, people who are bi polar experience both the highs of mania and the suicidal lows of depression. Both extremes may be experienced along a sliding scale so people's episodes can be very very manic but not so deeply depressed or vice versa. There are also people who only experience the mania or the depression but this is unusual. The common denominator is that the states are endogenous not reactive, although an episode can be triggered by stress, and can be managed or at least ameliorated by medication which helps to moderate the chemical imbalance in the brain. Its called bipolar because sufferers can have episodes at either pole of human mood.

[DTCwordfan]

think of your own mood swings, Jeza. We all live in our own tunnels, some days quite happy, other days perhaps a little miz.

Bipolars tend to live in tunnels with much higher ceilings and correspondingly floors and can bounce between the two extremes though it tends to be highs and lows for several days. Believe me, when they are high they are just as dangerous to themselves (and others) as when they are low........

Yes it is chemical imbalances but the effects can be more than dramatic - indeed rather scary. If you know anyone with, you should see this as a mental illness and often, because of the behaviour, the way the mind can pervert situations, the emotional distress, they can end up without many friends in life.

It is truly horrific to see someone you know and love be carted off for sectioning.....

[Jeza]

Thankyou for your answers. All taken in and thought about, so it's not another word for schizophrenia then?

[anneasquith]

no.

[boxtops]

This is schizophrenia http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Schizophrenia/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

[hc4361]

It is, DT, and the worst thing is loved ones can do nothing to help stop the extreme emotions. Hopefully prescribed drugs will be effective, but the problem is sufferers stop taking the drugs when they are feeling better - part of the mania.

Very distressing condition for many, but I must reiterate some people manage the condition very well. Here is a list of famous people who are bipolar
http://www.mental-health-today.com/bp/famous_people.htm

[hc4361]

It is nothing like schizophrenia.

[DTCwordfan]

I have a very close friend who has it, sectioned six times, and your point about the medication is so true, hc, often associated on the high and going away and being out in the sun.....with the repercussions that inevitably follow,

Jeza, medication is often lithium based, not necessarily all the time though. Quite a bit is being done to wrap support teams around sufferers to nip things in the bud now.

[hc4361]

Problem is, dt, not enough support workers to go round and the patient's inability to recognise when he needs help.
Many sufferers become isolated - it takes a lot of commitment to be a friend to a sufferer who doesn't take his meds as he should and can be very 'needy' and reckless.

I refer to 'he' but of course women are just as susceptible.

[ronnietoon]

i also have a friend with it like you dt and have seen them sectioned several times very frightening and upset when the person genuinely what to jump out of windows with no fear and it takes the strength of several police officers or in some cases a doctor administered sedative.

[Sir Alec]

I don't want to confuse you, Jeza. I am bipolar but don't suffer the 'highs'. I only have depressive states followed by normalcy, which they call plateau.
I used to be on lithium, but came off it as it did nothing for my depression, I just lost my sense of humour, that's all. Some people could not live without lithium, ie: Spike Milligan.
Bipolar disorder has nothing to do with schizophrenia. They are totally different.
If you want to talk further about bipolar, I suggest you talk to wolf. She is on lithium and quite prepared to talk about it.
I've never been sectioned, but was hospitalised once, had brain scans, etc, and came out fine.
If you want to ask me anything, if I can help, I will.