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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 12:28:01 GMT
Bipolar disorder is a chronic, serious and debilitating mental illness which results in significant impairment to everyday functioning. Bipolar: • is used by mental health professionals to describe a pattern of extreme disruptions to mood, behaviour and thought. • is one of the illnesses brought under the group of recurrent mood disorders known as manic depressive illnesses which range from extreme forms of bipolar I affective disorder with psychosis to unipolar (recurrent) depression • can share symptoms with other illnesses such as the psychotic symptoms shared by bipolar I and schizophrenia • is rather a spectrum or continuum of illnesses rather than one illness • is an illness whose presentation and course varies greatly across individuals as does the corresponding level of impairment • is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person’s life • what is common among the 1-2% of people who suffer from bipolar disorder is its recurrent and cyclical nature • once diagnosed the individual can count on future episodic bouts of depression and/or mania that may present in times of stress or change or may recur without provocation • although some fortunate individuals will have very few episodes of mania and depression in the course of their lives, most will have an increased frequency of recurrences as they age, with periods of wellness shortening and episodes of illness lengthening • what varies greatly across individuals is the quality of their moods, the actions they take in response to their symptoms, and the sequence in which their symptoms emerge. • even within individuals the symptoms of mania and depression can change from one episode to the next • unfortunately in-between serious episodes minor symptoms can remain and are known as residual or subsyndromal symptoms • residual symptoms can be just as debilitating to day-to-day functioning • to complicate matters further the cyclical and recurrent wave-like nature of the illness can vary so much in length and speed that rapid-cycling, ultra rapid-cycling, ultra-ultra (Ultradian) rapid-cycling and mixed states can exist causing very distressing bipolar experiences • ultradian bipolar disorder is often miss-diagnosed as borderline personality disorder For further information (especially for people with bipolar II): Dr. Phelps. Bipolar specialist consultant/researcher
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 14:45:20 GMT
An Apology & Can We Start AgainFirstly I want to apologize, or what might be better ask for forgiveness. I think I wrecked a perfectly good thread (bipolar disorder) by being pedantic. My reasons for being so was personal , that being during a part of my recovery someone's ideology was presented to me as fact. This led to great distress and confusion for me, the result being a trigger whenever I perceive untruths presented as fact. I let this cloud my judgement, got personal, got offensive and basically did my best to go in for the kill. In hindsight I was wrong and could have debated in a much more balanced and mature manner. In a huff I asked admin to delete my account , they appear not to have, why I don't know. However I think it fortunate they didn't because if they had I would not be able to apologize in public. My additional excuses are , recently stopping smoking, and a minor mood storm caused probably by the first excuse. Inexcusable because I should know better not to let emotion get in the way of rational debate. To Lazarus - I ask forgiveness. Also it appears your argument and the point I was attacking seems to hold some truth, though I am informed the figures that can be found by previously said source seem to be around 40% see www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/67/1/1.long and www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15460367. This forum needs a bipolar thread, particularly for young people facing or having a new diagnosis. I would like the opportunity to share my own experience and rudimentary knowledge on this and feel I may seriously have undermined that. HarryG
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 15:24:01 GMT
Well HarryG, You show great humility and maturity - and it is not only good to see but humbling. It goes without saying, but I will anyway, I forgive you wholeheartedly. Not a problem. I started the thread again because it is valuable. Perhaps we might delete these two posts in time so the thread can be what it is intended for. I have also asked Bex to take the other one down - it does neither of us or the forum any good to leave it up :-)
My intention was to start a discussion on "What is Bipolar?" - basically I am asking what is bipolar for those who view the thread. Those viewing: "How do you experience bipolar - as the post describes?"
Glad you looked the stats up HarryG - it would have taken me ages to find it as I have so much stuff to do with bipolar and on bpd. A geek. For more my job - that's my excuse anyway and I am sticking to it. Friends then?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 16:21:22 GMT
I didn't look up the stats Laz, someone came back to me on them so no credit to me. And yes I wholeheartedly sanction deletion of the previous thread. If I had had access to an internet forum such as this when I was in confusion , maybe, maybe , I might have been spared the suffering I had to endure. I too am very humbled by the acceptance of my apology Lazarus. I hope we can work in partnership in helping young people deal with their bipolarity. I would give the caveat that although I feel relieved of many of my symptoms I am no means an expert but I do know how it feels to have to battle for treatment, how mis-understanding of ultratian cycling leads to confusion (re MH services) how we baffle MH services and sometimes get the wrong diagnosis. I had to fight like mad for appropriate treatment, I often look back and wonder how, during symptoms of mixed state, mania and depression I managed to advise GP's about the right level of medication I needed. I would not wish that situation on anybody.
Lets get to business.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2013 19:10:09 GMT
I really admire your posts in this thread, Lazarus and Harry. I think psychiatric diagnoses, and mental health in general, can be controversial subjects which can lead to heated discussions and trigger people, and sometimes we let our emotions spill out too much and things get personal. I think you two are great for working out your differences and agreeing to work together on this topic. I'll be watching this thread with interest
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 5:49:03 GMT
So how do you experience your bipolar disorder? Do you think it is just the fact that your mood shifts or does it affect other areas of your life? If so what do you feel changes?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 8:29:56 GMT
I'll give a two phase answer David, a before and after
Before my medication was sorted out to the right level things were nightmarish. I experienced suicidal depressions, hypomania that crossed into mania. Probably the worst manic episode was when I believed I was being stalked by the CIA, Special Branch and the Russian Mafia. I also experienced religious delusions where I thought I was on a mission from God and everything happening around me was part of it. Mixed states were a common and horrific experience. I would feel an extreme surge of energy and adrenaline accompanied by a feeling of terror and dread. I couldn't sleep for days nor keep still, I literally couldn't sit down. I'd pace up and down very very quickly, and would get "stuck" in this mode as if the floor was a railway track. These states would switch on and off at four hourly intervals, you could set your watch by them. Mixed-normal, normal-depression. MH services had a hard time believing me or working out what was going on. Thankfully my psychiatrist deduced that I have a strain of Bipolar called Bipolar Affective Disorder Mixed Type (I've tried to google it but nothing much comes up, I'll try to provide a related link later).
Now, with the right medication combination I no longer get mixed states, nor cycle as fast as I did and the floor and ceiling of my mood spectrum have been narrowed, ie depressions not so deep, and highs don't rise above low level hypomania. I do still get mood swings but its no-where as bad as it used to be. I quit smoking recently and some of the symptoms have been knocking at the door and my sleep is none too good at the mo.
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Post by kayleigh on Aug 4, 2013 22:52:52 GMT
this thred is very interesting and confuzing at the same time i have been referd to a phyciatrist as my gp thinks i have bipolar i diddent no mutch about it till no and im relly worried ao many things have happend and ive tried so hard to cope with them and brush it off with excuses when i was youunger :: *TriggerWarnig* :: 10-12 ish i couldent go upstairs allone in my hosue i had to have someone holding my hand literally i used to belive there was a cloaked man waiting for me and he wouldent get me if i sang to him silly i no bit i belived this for years i also thaught he was going to bite my toes of in my sleep if i diddent wrap my feet in muly blanket this paseed . i was also told to think of other things from my past and i picked up on another 'delusion' of mine i thaught there where cameras hidden in all mirrors when doing my make up e.t.c some one i dont no whonwas watching my ever move the cloaked man had dissapered untill i was 16 he came back "in my head" he was watching me all the time following me watching my son this has bbeen going on for years now and hes frigtning me im now 20 and i still belive hes hear watching me and even now wrighting this i feel hes not happy im talking about him i also experiance mad highs no sleep then down times rely down times and mutch more . the past three days my energy levels are very high ive had 2-4 hours sleep in the past few days and im still sat hear with masses of energy i also talk alllot as you can tell from my eassay lol im am at a point of not knowing who i am anymore i feel like a frightend child most of the time . i just hope i get some good treatment from my phyciotrist and he can help me figure out whats going on ty for reading my ramble
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Post by nanasarah on Aug 24, 2013 6:05:28 GMT
Hi. I am currently awaiting diagnosis. I think I have bipolar 2 and my gp wonders if it could be a personality disorder. I am waiting to see someone with the Adult Support Services for am assessment mid sept. I have been experiencing quite severe mixed episodes where I am on one hand so depressed but on the other hand manic in trying to get help. It's so hard to get anywhere fast with the nhs. I would say I do not have bipolar 1 cos I have hypo mania and depression but not any psychosis.. My mood chart since I have started, 3 months ago is like a yoyo. I have happy days, sad days, scary days, stressful days, angry days, and so it goes on. I have also been looking at my past and see its been a roller coaster of events. I am now wondering if it was a part of the illness all the stuff I did. Or am I looking for a way to rid myself of the guilt. It's hard to know. I am currently on no meds whilst I await diagnosis and that's what I find so tough. If I have this illness surely my life could be made better by getting me the right treatment fast. I am doing all I can to help myself and have researched various mental health illnesses to understand more. More help for those of us living with a mental health illness should be out there, and more publicity into the understanding those of us who have to live with it whether its ours, our loves ones, a friend, or someone you work with. My mother has been a bizarre character over the years and has a alcohol problem I could never understand. I see now she has possible bipolar and is self medicating. I am trying to help her to look at herself and get help. My granddad was diagnosed with manic depression many years ago and was sectioned. Little was really known then about the illness and he had electric shock treatment and when he was home a nurse came in once a week to give him an injection. All I remember of him is him sitting in chair all day like a zombie with his legs kicking away. It's sad. Sorry to ramble on but got a lot in my head wanting to get out. What are other people's experiences of waiting diagnosis?
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Post by aimeecatherine on Aug 24, 2013 10:22:16 GMT
I'm still waiting for the formal formal diagnosis. By that I mean everyone I have seen says that it is bipolar and have been prescribed some medication for it but until I see a consultant the formal diagnosis is not officially on my notes.
It has made my life a misery. I have lost countless friends as a result of this and for the time it has taken to diagnose properly (10 years in adult services). I could list all the negative impacts but there are positives too where I have now realised that I am a fighter. Yes there are days I have no clue how to fight this illness but I know it takes a lot to keep going so I try to remind myself of this all the time.
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Post by nanasarah on Aug 24, 2013 11:05:37 GMT
It takes what seems like forever to get an actual diagnosis. I can see how it can be overlooked over the years as I've never gone to docs when things seem apparently good or I'm a bit wild. I have a lot of guilt over my past and reflect a lot in it when I'm depressed, especially my hyper sexuality. It was only when I changed my ant depressants did things come to light as I went very hyper and my partner thought I was drunk. I behaved inappropriately and knew I was but couldn't stop it. I felt so excited and on top of the world. I went back to drs and they stopped my meds. I had diazepam 2mg for a couple if months but they stopped those incase got dependant. I have good days and bad days and bloody horrific days and pray I get help soon. Good luck to you too and I hope you get the right treatment very soon.
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