Features

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar is a relatively common disorder affecting about 1 in a 100 people.  People with bipolar disorder experience episodes of extreme mood swings, from depression to mania.  The mood spectrum looks like this:

	Mania
	Hypomania
	Normal Mood
	Dysthymia
	Depression

Symptoms

Symptoms of Mania and hypomania are feelings of elation, high self esteem, lots of energy, rapid speech, racing thoughts, creative ideas and sometimes disjointed thinking.  People can experience psychosis during mania.  Psychosis means they can lose touch with reality and suffer delusions or hallucinations.  Also in the ‘high’ phase sufferers can experience agitation, irritability and short temper.  Sometimes the high phase can lead to indulgence in reckless behaviour.  This can include gambling, excess drinking and smoking or over spending.  Sometimes it also includes a loss of inhibitions relating to sexual behaviour. 

At the other end of the scale symptoms of depression and dysthymia (low mood) can include the following symptoms: feelings of sadness, losing interest in life and enjoyable things, loss of libido, lethargy and tiredness can be so bad they may become unable to function.  Symptoms can also be sleeping too much, panic attacks, feelings of despair or worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, changes in eating habits, paranoia, feelings of guilt, hallucinations and withdrawal from life and social situations. 

Genetics

Theories and research suggest a genetic link within families to people who suffer bipolar.  That is not to say that everyone with a parent or relative with bipolar will also be bipolar.  A common experience described by people with bipolar is that the illness occurred after a period of prolonged severe stress or by a traumatic incident.  This is also supported by recent research. 

Different types of Bipolar

What is less known about the illness is that there are two main types of bipolar disorder; bipolar 1 and bipolar 2.  People with bipolar 1 swing between mania and depression, whilst bipolar 2 sufferers tend to swing between hypomania and depression.  People with bipolar 1 will often come to the attention of the GP in both the manic and depressive stages of the condition.  People with bipolar 2 can be harder to diagnose as they tend to only visit the GP when they are severely depressed and as such can often be misdiagnosed with clinical depression.  The ‘highs’ for people with bipolar 2 tend to be milder than full blown mania. 

There is a milder form of bipolar which is called Cyclothymia.  People tend to experience mild but sometimes frequent mood shifts.  People with Cyclothymia tend to go undiagnosed due to the mildness of symptoms. 

Treatment

Most people with bipolar will be referred to a Psychiatrist who will work with them to establish the best treatment which may include a combination of medication and referral to behavioural therapy.  Some people will have a community psychiatric nurse (CPN) who will support them in the community. 

There are three main types of medication used to treat bipolar, mood stabilizers such as Lithium, anti-psychotics and anti-depressants. 

It is possible for people to be on more than one type of medication such as a mood stabilizer and an anti-depressant.  Often anti-depressants on their own are ineffective for people with bipolar.

Talking treatments can include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), trauma counselling and psychotherapy can be of benefit too. 

Self Management

People experiencing bipolar can benefit greatly from recognizing early warning signs and triggers which can pre-empt mood shifts.  One common early warning sign is a change in sleeping habits.  Not sleeping or being active most of the night could be an early indication of a mood shift towards mania.  Increased sleeping and withdrawal from everyday activities could be indicative of moving towards depression.    

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland (BFS) is the only organisation in Scotland which focuses solely on bipolar disorder.  As such we offer training in self management skills for our members.  The training teaches participants how to recognise triggers, the early stages of mood shifts, how to cope with feelings of guilt and anger.  It is particularly useful in helping participants find acceptance.   It helps them to find ways to cope everyday and teaches them how to manage the condition.  With effective self management and the right medication people can lead a full life and achieve recovery.    

BFS provides information, support and advice for people with bipolar disorder, their relatives, friends and carers. 

Importantly we support a network of self help groups across Scotland that provide a safe environment for group members to discuss experiences and share support. 

We inform and educate members of the public, professionals and other agencies about bipolar and the role of our organisation.  We also encourage and assist research into all aspects of bipolar disorder. 

If you have any questions on bipolar, want to know more about our services, or if you are interested in attending a self help group in your area please do not hesitate to contact us:

Yvonne Fleming & Alan Douglas

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland

Studio 1016, Mile End Mill,

Seedhill Road, Paisley

Tel: 0141 560 2050

E-mail – info@bipolarscotland.org.uk

Web: www.bipolarscotland.org.uk