DEFINE - Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior. Bipolar is a type of mood disorder.
DISCUSS - People who have bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized and other periods of feeling very sad, hopeless, and sluggish. In between those periods, they usually feel normal. You can think of the highs and the lows as two "poles" of mood, which is why it's called "bipolar" disorder. Because of increased awareness and diagnosis, more people than ever before have a basic understanding of bipolar disorder, the condition formally known as manic depression. Yet myths persist about this mental disorder that causes mood shifts from depression to mania and affects a person's energy and ability to function. The word "manic" describes the times when someone with bipolar disorder feels overly excited and confident. These feelings can also involve irritability and impulsive or reckless decision-making. About half of people during mania can also have delusions or hallucinations.
STATISTICS - At least one in every 100 people will experience bipolar disorder at some time during their lives. In Australia, approximately 0.7% of males and 1.0% of females aged 18-24 have had bipolar disorder in the previous 12 months. Bipolar disorder is the ninth leading contributor to the burden of disease and injury in Australian females aged 15-24, and the tenth leading contributor for males. Overall, about 50% of people who develop bipolar disorder will do so by the time they are in their early to mid 20's.
TREATMENTS - Some ways of treatment for Bipolar are:
- Medication – Medication is the cornerstone on bipolar disorder treatment.
- Psychotherapy – Therapy is essential for dealing with bipolar disorder and the problems it has caused in your life.
SUPPORT - Reach out is a great and supporting service for people with Bipolar because it can help you find online support, find out more info on Bipolar and find self-help strategies to manage Bipolar.
DISCUSS - People who have bipolar disorder can have periods in which they feel overly happy and energized and other periods of feeling very sad, hopeless, and sluggish. In between those periods, they usually feel normal. You can think of the highs and the lows as two "poles" of mood, which is why it's called "bipolar" disorder. Because of increased awareness and diagnosis, more people than ever before have a basic understanding of bipolar disorder, the condition formally known as manic depression. Yet myths persist about this mental disorder that causes mood shifts from depression to mania and affects a person's energy and ability to function. The word "manic" describes the times when someone with bipolar disorder feels overly excited and confident. These feelings can also involve irritability and impulsive or reckless decision-making. About half of people during mania can also have delusions or hallucinations.
STATISTICS - At least one in every 100 people will experience bipolar disorder at some time during their lives. In Australia, approximately 0.7% of males and 1.0% of females aged 18-24 have had bipolar disorder in the previous 12 months. Bipolar disorder is the ninth leading contributor to the burden of disease and injury in Australian females aged 15-24, and the tenth leading contributor for males. Overall, about 50% of people who develop bipolar disorder will do so by the time they are in their early to mid 20's.
TREATMENTS - Some ways of treatment for Bipolar are:
- Medication – Medication is the cornerstone on bipolar disorder treatment.
- Psychotherapy – Therapy is essential for dealing with bipolar disorder and the problems it has caused in your life.
SUPPORT - Reach out is a great and supporting service for people with Bipolar because it can help you find online support, find out more info on Bipolar and find self-help strategies to manage Bipolar.