BO B T H E B I P O L A R B LO G G E R

BIPOLAR DISORDER

BIPOLAR DISORDER

• A mental illness characterized by alternating episodes of an elevated mood known as mania, and episodes of severe depression.

MANIA

• Manic episodes usually last for at least one week of elevated or irritable mood, where they display four symptoms: speaking in a rapid, uninterruptible manner, easily distracted, racing thoughts, or increase in goal-oriented activities.

DEPRESSION

• Symptoms of the depressive episodes include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness, disturbances in sleep and appetite, and general fatigue.

CAUSES

• The causes of bipolar disorder vary between each person, and the exact cause remains unclear. However, genetic influences are believed to account for 60-80% of the risk of developing the disorder.

TREATMENT

• Treatments for bipolar disorder include both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological techniques that are aimed to reduce the severity and frequency of the different episodes and their symptoms.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

• Aimed at alleviating core symptoms, recognizing triggers, reducing negative expressed emotion, and practicing factors that lead to maintenance of remission. Therapies such as light, cognitive behavioral, family focused, and interpersonal therapy are used.

PHARMACOLOGY

• The most commonly used medicine is lithium, which is effective in treating acute manic episodes and preventing relapses. Four anticonvulsants are also used to treat both the manic and the depressive episodes.

MANIA

• I feel extremely happy and that nothing could ever bring me down. I always see the positive side of things, and am often making rash decisions without thinking of the consequences.

MANIA

MANIA

MANIA

MANIA

MANIA

DEPRESSION

• During my depression episodes, I feel like I am nothing. I have contributed nothing to this world, and I feel angry and hopeless about it. I feel like doing nothing, and usually stay in bed all day.

DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION

DEPRESSION