Wednesday, December 17, 2014

A Bipolar Diagnosis...I have what?

 


What Is Bipolar Disorder?

The National Institute of Mental Health describes it as:

"Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives."

The MAYO Clinic defines it as:

"Bipolar disorder — sometimes called manic-depressive disorder — is associated with mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts in the other direction, you may feel euphoric and full of energy. Mood shifts may occur only a few times a year, or as often as several times a day. In some cases, bipolar disorder causes symptoms of depression and mania at the same time."

WebMD defines it as:

"Bipolar disorder, with its extreme mood swings from depression to mania, used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is very serious and can cause risky behavior, even suicidal tendencies, and can be treated with therapy and medication."

But what are the symptoms?

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
Mood Changes
  • A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood
  • Extreme irritability
Behavioral Changes
  • Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts
  • Being easily distracted
  • Increasing activities, such as taking on new projects
  • Being overly restless
  • Sleeping little or not being tired
  • Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities
  • Behaving impulsively and engaging in pleasurable, high-risk behaviors
Mood Changes
  • An overly long period of feeling sad or hopeless
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.
Behavioral Changes
  • Feeling tired or "slowed down"
  • Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
  • Being restless or irritable
  • Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
  • Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.
(as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health)


But how would I be diagnosed and what type am I?

  1. Bipolar I Disorder—defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks.
  2. Bipolar II Disorder—defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.
  3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)—diagnosed when symptoms of the illness exist but do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar I or II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior.
  4. Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia—a mild form of bipolar disorder. People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania as well as mild depression for at least 2 years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder.
"When getting a diagnosis, a doctor or health care provider should conduct a physical examination, an interview, and lab tests. Currently, bipolar disorder cannot be identified through a blood test or a brain scan, but these tests can help rule out other factors that may contribute to mood problems, such as a stroke, brain tumor, or thyroid condition. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses, your health care provider may conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder."

Ok, so the National Institute of Mental Health has given me an outline of what this disorder is, what the symptoms are, and how you get diagnosed.  But, there is absolutely NO way I have this.  I am not like "those" people.  I am "normal."

But what defines "normal"?  What caused me, out of everyone, to have this disorder? 

I had two choices after my appointment with my Psychiatrist.  I could either chose to accept my diagnosis, take the medicine, and work on getting my disorder under control OR I could ignore the doctor, refuse medicine, and never know if I could get better because I didn't give it a chance.

How do you choose?  What was best for me?  I so desperately wanted to fit in, to have friends, to be "normal" and to not feel so alone. 

I am not sure what caused me to take choice one, but I knew something had to change.  I couldn't keep yelling at my husband, I couldn't keep crying all the time, I needed to get my emotions and my mood swings under control before I hurt myself or someone else around me more then I already had. 

So, I accepted my diagnosis.  I want to get better.  I need to get better.  I am willing to put in the hard work to get myself into a place where I can feel happy and a place where I can feel normal emotions.  Not the ridiculous, the world is out to get me feelings.    

I accepted who I was, and who I was becoming.  I am me.  I have Bipolar Disorder and it is not WHO I am, but rather a part of me that makes me the individual I am today.  And that is OKAY with me.




http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml#part1

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/definition/con-20027544

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/

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