Bipolar Disorder Tips for Friends and Family

TIPS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS

Let’s start out with a story about cabbage. (A conversation between my mom and myself)

Mom: Why don’t you put some cabbage on your salad?

Julie: I want to have cabbage on my salad but it is just too hard to do it. Read more

6 Essential Facts You Should Know About Bipolar Disorder

ental health authorities estimate that more than 2 million adults have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (also called manic-depression), a chemical imbalance in the brain causing extreme mood swings from manic highs to agonizing lows. Although a diagnosis of bipolar disorder can be frightening and confusing, it is a treatable and manageable condition.

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with bipolar illness, the first step in relieving fear and uncertainty is education. The more you know about the disorder, the less control it will exert over you and others who may be affected. Read more

Friends and Family with Bipolar Disorder

There are several symptoms to bipolar disorder that are often attributed to mood swings or disregarded as insignificant.  However, manic depression is a severe disorder that can drastically impact a person’s life and stability.  It can also be very difficult to handle for the loved ones of the person with the illness.  People who are close to a person with manic depressive disorder can take the symptoms of the illness personally, when really there are neurons in the person’s brain that induce them to act a certain way that is out of their control.  It is hard to see that sometimes though, especially when there are emotions involved.  It can also be difficult not to fall into the same mood swings as the patient has.  Bipolar marriages, bipolar pregnancies, and bipolar families are all very difficult to deal with.  Listed ahead are a few tips indication how you can treat a loved one with the disorder.

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Friends and Family with Bipolar Disorder

There are several symptoms to bipolar disorder that are often attributed to mood swings or disregarded as insignificant.  However, manic depression is a severe disorder that can drastically impact a person’s life and stability.  It can also be very difficult to handle for the loved ones of the person with the illness.  People who are close to a person with manic depressive disorder can take the symptoms of the illness personally, when really there are neurons in the person’s brain that induce them to act a certain way that is out of their control.  It is hard to see that sometimes though, especially when there are emotions involved.  It can also be difficult not to fall into the same mood swings as the patient has.  Bipolar marriages, bipolar pregnancies, and bipolar families are all very difficult to deal with.  Listed ahead are a few tips indication how you can treat a loved one with the disorder.

Read more

My Son is Bipolar

When I became pregnant, almost eight years ago, the first thing that crossed my mind, after my initial shock and elation, was the fact that my child would be predisposed to bipolar disorder.  Not only had I been diagnosed with bipolar, but my unborn son’s aunt and grandmother on his father’s side, had also been treated for depression.  Since mood disorders ran in both families, his risk was high - anywhere from 15-75%.  At the time, terminating the pregnancy was not an option, besides that, I wanted a child.  I was deemed a “high-risk” patient, due to my condition and the fact that it was imperative that I remain on my medications.  Luckily I had two very well educated physicians who watched my pregnancy carefully.  I had a special ultrasound that checked for any type of abnormality in his spine, head or brain.  By the time I gave birth, at the age of thirty, I was confident my son was as healthy as any other child. Read more