Author: Branden Contois

Bipolar Disorder

Someone who varies between stages of mania and depression suffers from bipolar disorder.

SYMPTOMS:
During a manic phase: easily distracted, little sleep, poor judgment/temper control, reckless behaviour, increased mood and hyperactive.
During a depressive phase: low mood, difficulty concentrating/remembering, eating problems, low energy, trouble sleeping, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, loss of enjoyment in activities once appreciated, loss of self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

POTENTIAL CAUSES: life changes, medications (antidepressants or steroids), periods of sleeplessness or recreational drug use.

IMPACT ON LIFESTYLE: It affects energy level, judgment, memory, concentration, appetite, sleep patterns, sex drive and self-esteem.

TREATMENT/PROGNOSIS: medication (mood stabilizers like lithium carbonate and lamotrigine), therapy, support groups, regular exercise, enough sleep and eating right. Lithium is proven to reduce likeliness of committing suicide and lamotrigine is best for preventing suicide.

SUPPORT: websites that provide contact between bipolar patients and support groups.

Thanks to:
http://helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001924/

FAMOUS PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER: Russell Brand, Kurt Cobain, Stephen Fry, Mel Gibson, Linda Hamilton, Ernest Hemingway, Demi Lovato, Robert Munsch, Friedrich Nietzche, Florence Nightingale, Sinéad O’Connor, Ozzy Osbourne, Edgar Allan Poe, Axl Rose, Nina Simone, Jean-Claude Damme, Amy Winehouse, Pete Wentz and Catherine Zeta Jones.