To many people, bipolar disorder is a new phenomenon, if not a dirty word all together. There are certain misconceptions and stigma attached to it. We, the people living with the condition often get prejudiced and stigmatized for having the condition, as if it is something we asked for. Here are five facts that every one walking this earth of Christ should know about bipolar or manic disorder, as it is sometimes called;
1. Bipolar is an episodic illness. What this means is that it comes and goes like television episodes. The episodes are contrast to each other. You either get very happy or very grumpy and depressed, which is why it is called bi-polar. Think the south and north poles as you learned about them in fifth grade. The north pole is very cold and the south pole is very hot. At any given moment, you may never know which pole you are at. The mind swings between these two poles more rapidly for some people than others. If it does that, the symptoms are rapid mood swings. I often get sudden rage episodes, I get ticked off by the smallest things, which would not matter to someone else. At times it is over excitement. This time last year, I bought a car and that left me with no money for rent.
2.There are, however, moments in between. Think of that as the equator of the earth. There are times when someone suffering with this mental disorder is totally fine. By this I mean that it does not mean that I am having a manic or depression all the time. There are instances when I feel totally relaxed. This is mainly due to the therapy and drugs I am constantly getting. It is in these relaxed moments when I get the mental capacity to look back at something I have done or said and realize that it might have been a bad decision. I have set a rule for myself; if I want to make a purchase of something nice that I see in the shops, I will go home and be back in three days to buy it, if I am still interested. This plan has helped me not to buy on impulse. Of course, it does not always work. My overflowing closet is proof enough!
3.Bipolar and insomnia are close cousins. People with bipolar, or any kind of mental disorders find it hard to fall asleep. This is mainly because they lack the hormone serotonin which induces a stable mind which can fall asleep. This is why most bipolar or anxiety drugs are sedative. It is an established fact that lack of sleep makes one cranky the following day. Now imagine sleeping for only a few hours for 3 days straight. By the third day, I am in a rage and having a fight at supermarket for no reason is not very far off now. Most sleeping pills I know are scheduled. This means that you need a prescription from a doctor to have them, even at the pharmacy. Doctors are reluctant to prescribe such medicines, especially if they are not mental health specialist. They are simply protecting themselves from lawsuits in case a depressed patient overdoses on them and dies.
4. Bipolar can be dangerous, and even deadly. The low points in bipolar can be an extreme depression. Most people suffering from depression have suicidal thoughts. This probably why when someone tries to commit suicide, they are immediately taken to hospital and put on drugs or therapy for depression. It is also dangerous, especially for the people around someone who suffered from depression. Think children who have a suicidal mother!
5.Every one's bipolar is different. By that I mean that people living with the condition have different symptoms and different levels of highs and lows. It is for this reason that I can not share pills with a friend who has run out. The strength or dosage of our pills are different, even if we both go to the same Doctor. Each patient is evaluated and given a cocktail of medication for bipolar that is tailor made for them. Only a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist can do the evaluation and write up a script. Also, the evaluation and prescription changes from time to time. When you see a specialist for the first time. they can give you this cocktail, when you come back say, after 21 days, they may change the script, depending on how well or how badly you reacted to the first script.
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