Bipolar I Disorder involves episodes of severe mood swings, from mania and depression. Bipolar II Disorder a much milder form that involves milder episodes of Hypomania that alternate with depression. The Bipolar Disorder that is the mildest form of mood changes called Cyclothymiacs.
A dangerous mix is with mixed bipolar disorder. The symptoms include both mania and depression at the same time. This type of bipolar disorder leaves the person with grandiose feelings, racing thoughts, all this energy but also irritable, angry, moody, and feeling bad. This can lead to suicidal attempts, which is one of the reasons that it is very dangerous.
Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder consists of four or more mood episodes that occur within 12-month period. Women are the ones who suffer most from Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. You should not take Antidepressants, as they trigger and prolong rapid cycling. A person who suffers from any form of Bipolar Disorder should always contact a physician for treatment.
You can take charge of your health by seeing your doctor and your therapist. Take your medication as it prescribed and do not take more or less medications. Take charge of your life by using these different techniques:
- Exercise: Mood will improve with daily exercise routines. The use of exercising helps you to sleep better. Consult your physician before you start your exercise program. You should start slowly by taking walks and then work up to more vigorous exercise several times a week.
- Healthy Diet: There is not any particular diet that you should use other than eat full meals, lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Sleep is important: Overtired people with poor sleeping habits have a tendency to trigger mania. Relax by using soothing music before you go to bed. It is not always wise to lie on the couch and watch TV.
- Relieve Stress: It is important that you ask family and friends to help you so that stress can be relieved. The best thing you can do for yourself is to simplify your life and make it easier.
- Avoid stimulants: Things like caffeine, alcohol, and drugs keep you up of a night causing mania from lack of rest. It is important to cut back on these items or cut them out altogether. Remember coffee, soda, and tea effect your sleep while alcohol and drugs affect your medications.
Bipolar Disorder is a psychologically painful illness that causes many people to turn to alcohol or drugs for relief. The fact is that these things can actually cause the Bipolar Disorder into a worsen condition. It is well known that more than 50% of people turn to alcohol or drugs to find relief instead of taking medication properly and seeing their doctor on a regular basis. There is none drug treatments for Bipolar Disorders that are very helpful. Psychotherapy that used to treat bipolar disorder is the following:
- Behavioral therapy: helps focus on behavior that will decrease stress.
- Cognitive therapy: You need this type of therapy, as it will help you to identify and modify the patterns of thinking that comes with your mood shifts.
- Interpersonal therapy: You need to be able to reduce strains that the illness causes by learning more about interpersonal relationships.
- Social rhythm therapy: Daily routines are very important and this type of therapy will help you to do just that.
Along with the different types of therapies, you may also attend support groups where you will receive encouragement, learn coping skills, and share concerns that you have. A support group is good for your family and it helps you not to feel so isolated. One of the important things for any person who suffers from the Bipolar Disorder is education. Education is a tool that helps you and your family to recognize symptoms, early signs of an episode, and types of treatment.
At times, Bipolar people think that their illness is hopeless and they are helpless but this is not true. You can and will overcome and live a very complete, happy, and contented life by following the procedures that prescribed for you, watching your diet, and beware that you are not using drugs or alcohol.
It is vital that you get on a regular schedule. This will help you live a much happier life with yourself and family. The physicians are very careful with their patients and often need to check your blood count checked regularly. The therapists help with the emotional and physical aspects involved with Bipolar.
Finally, you yourself need to take control of your life for you have the power to change things. Life is ever changing for better or worse but we as individuals have the power to make those changes for the betterment of ourselves.
