When Someone You Love Has a Mental Disorder
October 26, 2007
IT STARTED as a typical weekday morning for the Johnsons. The family of four was up and dressed for the day’s activities. Gail reminded her 14-year-old son, Matt, that it was past time to catch the school bus. What followed was completely unexpected. Within half an hour, Matt spray-painted a bedroom wall, tried to set fire to the garage, and attempted to hang himself in the attic. Read more
Tough Teen Bipolar Disorder Realities
July 19, 2007
Also known as manic-depression, bipolar disorder is a mental illness, characterized by powerful changes in mood, energy level, and behavior. At one extreme lies mania, usually manifested as extreme restlessness, inability to sleep, irritability, poor judgment, and impulsiveness. Depression is at the extreme end of the other pole, and is distinguished by helplessness, hopelessness, fatigue and suicidal thoughts. Read more
Teen Bipolar Disorder - A Quick Look
July 4, 2007
Do you experience dramatic mood swings? Are these changes in your emotional state preceded and followed by severe feelings of elation or depression? Do you get these changes in your emotional state, for no reason whatsoever…they just occur? Do these mood changes affect how active you are? Do you notice yourself being really active one minute and completely out of it the next?
Did you answer yes to all the above questions? Then you could well be suffering from bipolar disorder. Read more
Is It A Bipolar Symptom
February 27, 2007
Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic Depressive Illness, causes dramatic changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Most people experience moderate mood swings, this is normal, although more drastic changes in mood could be a symptom of Bipolar Disorder. 1-2% of the population suffers from bipolar disorder, about 4 million people.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder And Suicide Ideation – Save Your Love Ones
February 27, 2007
People with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk for suicide. Someone with bipolar disorder who is severely depressed, may also become suicidal, as they sometimes hear their voices urging them to commit suicide.
Friends and Family with Bipolar Disorder
February 15, 2007
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.
Types Of Bipolar Disorder – How To Differentiate Them Correctly
February 12, 2007
Unknown to many, there are two main types of bipolar disorder, namely Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder. The key difference between the two disorders is whether the person has had a manic episode or not. To distinguish the differences, one would have to understand manic episodes and depressive episodes – symptoms of Bipolar disorder.
Parenting A Bipolar Child - Help Your Child Lead A Rewarding Life
February 12, 2007
Parenting a child with bipolar disorder presents its own unique challenges. Family and friends may have attributed your child’s difficult behavior to stubbornness or other personality flaws. They may disagree with your parenting skills, however it is important to recognize and accept bipolar disorder for what it is – just another medical condition. If your child had epilepsy, no one would blame you or your child right?
Symptoms of Bipolar in Children
February 10, 2007
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. It is a severe illness but it can be treated. Bipolar is a brain disorder that is commonly characterized by extreme mood swings.
The symptoms of bipolar in children are present in early childhood or even possibly during infancy. The symptoms of bipolar may also not emerge until the adolescence or adulthood years. Bipolar in children can be treated easier now.
My Son is Bipolar
July 29, 2006
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
