Who is helped by bipolar support groups?

Bipolar support groups are helpful for the families as well as the patient. By talking with others experiencing the same things, the support system kicks in and lets you know you are not stranded all by yourself in the situation.

Benefits of bipolar support groups as a patient

At times like these, it helps to know that you are not the only one experiencing the problem. As a patient, you realize you are not alone and that there is help available. You may possibly find help that you did not know was available to you. When you begin to see that there are other people that feel the same way you do, it helps.

Many sufferers of bipolar disorder feel that they are all alone. One of the symptoms of the condition is a feeling of helplessness or hopelessness. In talking to other bipolar sufferers, you see that there are ways to combat the onset of the extreme highs and lows it brings. Medication which is part of bipolar treatment can do only so much. Coming to a realization that many people live with bipolar disorder is the first step to recovery.

Benefits of bipolar support groups as a family member

Bipolar disorder affects people around the patient just as much as the actual patient. Sometimes, the patient can become violent, combative or even suicidal in extreme cases. The stress of dealing with these things can take its toll on you. As a result, the closest people to them may start to feel isolated and helpless.

Bipolar support groups can assist you in learning how to deal with your loved one's condition. The realization that some of the things they might say or do are not intentional. Many times, the actions of a bipolar sufferer stem directly from the chemical imbalance commonly associated with the disorder.

You may be surprised to find that there are more people going through the same things that you are; some have even worse situations. Together, you learn new ways to deal with the day to day of living with or caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder.

The leaders of bipolar support groups are usually individuals that have successfully overcome the condition themselves or helped a family member get past it. Either way, the folks you come into contact with have personal life experience in this area. They are there to help.

Where do I find bipolar support groups?

Most local hospitals have bipolar support groups available. You just need to ask. Alternatively, you could search for them online at your favorite search engine. The local results will tell you where the groups are located, what they offer, who leads or sponsors them and give you directions to get there.

Most insurance coverage has contingencies for mental disorders of this nature and will cover the treatment, even if only partially.

Nature of Bipolar Disorder

Many people are still confused on what to believe about the nature and diagnosis of the disease. One classic myth states that bipolar manic depressive disorder is a single identifiable disorder. Actually, bipolar is categorized as a class of mood disorder where a person suffers episodes of depression and mania or mixed states. In between episodes, a bipolar patient may not show any symptoms.

Another belief states that this mental condition cannot be diagnosed in its early stages. That is not exactly true. While there are no physical tests involved in diagnosing bipolar disorder, more accurate diagnosis is performed using psychiatric laboratory tests and psychiatric rating scales, which involve the patient's medical and psychiatric history and notes of observable behavior.

While most bipolar patients are adults, it was somehow generalized that children do not get bipolar. Actually, infants can show signs of the disease at a very early age. Although the symptoms on both children and adults are often mistaken as part of growing up or growing old, severe mood changes needs to be taken seriously. A complete physical examination and psychological evaluation must be in order.

Lastly, many believe that bipolar manic depressive disorder is a rare condition. The “Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation” estimate at least three quarters of a million of American Children and teens is suffering from the disease. According to WebMD.com, about 5.7 million American adults are suffering from this mental condition.  A lot of people believe that this condition is just another name for mood swing, the mood swings of bipolar patient is more severe, lasting and may interfere with normal activities.

On Treatment

Many believe that depression is just a state of mind and it does not really require all those pills and therapy. They believe that by thinking positively, bipolar episodes will just go away. Bipolar manic depressive disorder is as real as diabetes or cancer, which needs immediate treatment. It requires more than "snapping out of it" to feel better.

People are normally anxious about taking medications. Among bipolar patients, the fear that medications can cause side effects, addiction and change of one's personality is prevalent. Actually, doctors prescribe medications with specific instructions and dosages to their use. This way, they will never become addictive. Medications helps keep mood episodes stable and even, not cloud a person's judgment. To some, this disease can be a lifetime battle. Hence the myth that people with bipolar will never get better. A patient who is correctly diagnosed and treated enjoys greater chances of living a stable, normal and healthy life.

Reminder

One must remember that bipolar manic depressive disorder symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are different from patient to patient. The disease looks very different to different people. Some people are prone to mania, some to depression. Some immediately react positively to medications, some do not. Hence, it is never safe to generalize opinions about this condition. Seeking truth in every bipolar myth is the key to fully understanding the demands and calls of this preventable, treatable and manageable mental health condition.

Nature of Bipolar Manic Depression

Bipolar causes vary from patient to patient. Although factors like neurochemical imbalance, genetics and environmental stresses were found to influence the development of this brain disorder, the exact cause of this disease it yet to be discovered. Biological disorders such as damage to certain regions of brain due to neurotransmitter malfunction also leads to the progression of the disorder. And as a biological disorder, it can be dormant and be activated with various forms of daily stressors.

Genetics

Bipolar disorder is a disease can run in the family. A family medical history that includes the disorder is a known bipolar cause. A person with parents diagnosed of bipolar disorder has 15 to 25 percent chance of developing this disease. Greater risks are suffered by individuals with twins who are diagnosed of the disease.

Imbalance to Brain Chemicals

Imbalance to brain chemicals or neurotransmitters is one of the known biological bipolar causes. The disease may progress from having high levels of serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. This condition may result from the sudden change in the sensitivity of the receptors of nerve cells or reaction to overwhelming stress.

Stressors

Stressful events in daily life can trigger manic depressive episodes. A person with genetic disposition for this brain disorder is highly likely to experience bouts of extreme mood shifts. Unhealthy lifestyle and habits like frequent and high alcohol intake, drug abuse and hormonal problems promote bipolar episodes. Although substance abuse is not included in the list of bipolar causes, it is a factor that can worsen the illness as it interferes with the patient's road to full recovery.

Also, emotional issues like loss of a job, death of a loved one, moving and adjusting to a new environment and birth of a child put any person under stress. Experiencing overwhelming emotions can trigger the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Together, emotional, mental and environmental stressors can establish a cycle of abnormal psychological and biological processes that can keep the disorder active.

Medication

Medication is seen as one of the unlikely bipolar causes. When bipolar drugs are prescribed to effectively cope with bothersome and debilitating bipolar symptoms, drugs like antidepressants and antimanic may cause adverse effects. Incorrect or prolonged usage of antidepressants or antimanic drugs leads to drug-induced manic episodes. Certain drugs can produce effects that resemble mania, which results to increased energy, increased talkativeness and sleeping problems. Such medications include cocaine and amphetamines, appetite suppressants, cold preparations and nonpsychiatric medications like corticosteroids.

Who may Develop Bipolar Disorder?

Anyone can develop bipolar disorder or bipolar manic depression. According to PsychCentral.com, about 2 million Americans are diagnosed of this disease. Although a few risk factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease, it affects male and female population at the same rate.

Nature of Bipolar Treatments

Bipolar disorder is a condition that usually requires long-term treatment. Since it is a relapsing and often chronic condition, bipolar treatments go beyond medication and therapy sessions to effectively prevent episodes. To stay symptoms free, doctors recommend patients to join bipolar support groups as part of an effective treatment strategy. Along with medication and lifestyle changes, the social support provided by support groups allows patients to turn to the right people who are knowledgeable and understands the true nature of their brain disorder and relate to other people who are fighting the same battles against bipolar disorder.

The Role of Bipolar Support Groups

For bipolar disorder patients, every day is a battle against the disease. Not only are episodic bipolar symptoms challenging to the person afflicted. It also affects their entire families, friends, work and other relations. It would be helpful for both the patients and their families to talk with other people who are going through the same issues and things that they face due to the disease.

Active participation to support groups for bipolar disorder is seen as a crucial part of the healing process. This will not only facilitate quality bonding time between the family and the patient but also educate both parties on the nature of the disease and gain better understanding of the actions and behavior of the patient. Support groups offer great opportunities for patients and families to gain awareness and learn how to maintain harmony in living with the twists and turns of bipolar symptoms. This segment of treatment convinces patients that the disease does not need to overrule their lives. Support groups allow patients to relate and socialize with fellow patients, which is helpful in regaining self-confidence and in motivating them to endure the demands of their treatment regimen. This explains why bipolar support groups are included in strategically planned bipolar treatments.

Benefits of Bipolar Support Groups

Research has shown that psycho education, psychotherapy and mood-stabilizing medications combined with antipsychotic medications make up the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder. Support groups do not only facilitate interaction or dialog and form a concerned community for people living with the disease. They also promote awareness through psycho-education, which is often facilitated by a fellow patient or a knowledgeable bipolar expert.

For mild cases, a lifelong therapy with mood-stabilizers is important in dramatically decreasing the suffering and suicide risks of patients. However, most patients are non compliant, stopping their rounds of medications after a year. The social support and encouragement that patients get from their participation to bipolar support groups is helpful in enduring the rounds of recommended treatment.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a condition that involves dealing with two completely different spheres of mood disorder. The first is the "up" phase known as mania and the other sphere is the "down" phase known as depression. Some have an extremely inaccurate understanding of these symptoms as they assume mania is a positive symptom that counterbalances the negatives of depression. This is not the case as mania can prove to be extremely dangerous.

Bipolar Mania

Mania can include symptoms such as racing thoughts, excessive energy, irritability, insomnia, delusions, and even hallucinations. These are certainly harmful symptoms since they can impair judgment and cloud cognitive thinking. Mania also contributes to attention deficit issues since the ability to concentrate is clouded by such seemingly irrational thinking.

The depression based symptoms of bipolar disorder can be somewhat jarring since they can have a seriously negative impact on a person's mental state. A severe sense of sadness, despair, anxiety, hopelessness, and extreme loss of energy are all common forms of depressive symptoms. At their worst, such a state of mind can lead to thoughts of suicide.

More Symptoms

Bipolar disorder symptoms do not appear in a 50-50 manner. In other words, you do not alternative equally between mania and depression. The swings could involve being manic 75% of the time and depressed 25%. Really, there is no standardization in regards to how the condition manifests. Regardless of how they do, the fact remains they do definitely have a serious impact on a person's mental state.

The presence of bipolar symptoms should lead someone to seeking an evaluation from a qualified mental health professional. Generally, a board certified psychiatrist would be the best professional to speak with. Based on a proper evaluation, the steps to finding a proper treatment method can be undertaken. With the proper treatment, the impact of the bipolar symptoms can be diminished to the point they do not affect the person's life in too severe of a manner.

Various Treatments

The treatments employed to deal with bipolar disorder can vary. Often, prescription medication is employed to deal with the condition. Counseling and therapy is employed as well and can often lead to good results. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used and can reverse a number of problems in the onset of the condition.

Those wishing to learn more about the condition of bipolar disorder should explore the various resources available.

Other Options Besides Medication

There are many types of Bipolar disorder treatments available these days. While some of these treatments use the conventional methods of bipolar medication, there are others which use alternative forms of bipolar disorder treatments.

Bipolar disorder does not only affect the individual but his entire family. It can cripple him; at times make him dependent on drugs and even incapable of forming any kind of relationships. Many a times the bipolar medication used is just symptomatic which means that it just treats the symptom but not the disease.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania alternating with depression. The person becomes elated for no reason and then can become depressed for no reason. Some people attribute it to the imbalance of brain chemicals and neurological wiring while there are other schools of thought which believe that the cause is something else.

Allopathy or conventional bipolar disorder treatments have a lot of side effects. Therefore, people are trying to search for new alternative bipolar disorder treatments which are safe and effective. Here are some of the treatments which are being tried and tested by people across the world:

• Hypnotism: Hypnotherapy is now known to help patients with bipolar disorder. A good hypnotherapist can help you to take care of the vicious stress cycles which are instrumental in activating those dreaded manic and depressive behaviors. Moreover, with hypnotherapy you learn to control your mind which helps you to prevent rapid changes in your mental state and stay "normal".

• Expressive therapies: Many a times, those people are more likely to get bipolar disorder who are unable to express themselves without inhibitions. This leads to bottling up of their emotions. In such cases, alternative bipolar disorder treatments like expressive therapies which include arts like sculpting, painting and drawing can help in expressing yourself and releasing that pent up energy.

• Dance: Dancing is known to help your body in releasing endorphins which help you to feel happier. It helps you to balance your physical, emotional and cognitive aspects of your personality.

• Music therapy: Music is also a well known healer. Listening to the right kind of music helps in releasing endorphins in your body which lower your blood pressure, pulse rate and help in relaxing your breathing patterns.

• Other treatments: Alternative bipolar disorder treatments also include the ancient systems of medicine and healing practiced by our ancestors across the world. These include Ayurveda, Shiatsu, Reiki, Yoga and Acupuncture. These treatments do not involve any kind of bipolar medications but work quite effectively. They help in restoring the balance in your mental, emotional and physical body which in turn helps you to fight with the problem.

Conclusion

These are some of the bipolar disorder treatments which do not require the use of conventional bipolar medication. However, before trying any of these treatments, it's important to consult your doctor and get a complete check up done. Your doctor will be able to understand the extent and the degree of the problem and advise you accordingly.

Disorder in the Brain

In a number  of studies recently, it has been found that  several areas of the brain were found to be abnormal especially in the intra-cellular function of the brain function, these includes cell receptors and neurotransmitter functions. Because neurotransmitters are linked to mood disorders, it is also seen as an  important player in the development and treatment of these disorders “+”bipolar.

Disorder in Thoughts

Because of the malfunctioning or the disorder in the brain system  “racing thoughts or thinking fast” will occur. These are thoughts that does not seem to go away or some would say, “it won't be quiet.”Typical of these disorder “+”bipolar thoughts, they are in the victim’s consciousness and seem to be in the background as it were and mixed with other thoughts. If that is not bad enough these ideas in the mind taking over a patients whole being it is running around in the victim’s head like a wild horse out of control.

Disorder in the Feelings and Moods

Very often victims with this brain disorder “+” bipolar manic-depression have mood experiences that tend to shift from high (mania) to low(depression) and back again(hypomania) in varying stages and  severity. People with these brain disorder “+”bipolar have feelings, but it is just too many of it all at once. These people can become so obsessed with wanting  to do everything. With this disorder, happy is happy, sad is sad there are no in between and these immense – feelings can be overpowering.

Disorder in Relationships

Without proper medications, victims of this disorder “+”bipolar can cause a lot of unnecessary frustration in a relationship. The very shifting of moods can be quite difficult for others who are not bipolar because they would not know where they stand. When depressed they would not like to talk and at the manic stage they have been known to be promiscuous and so talkative you cannot get in. You would think that when at their hippomanic stage at least you can have a good conversation, but most people feel exhausted after being with a person who is hippomanic.

Bipolar – What is?

When you add disorder”+”bipolar together you come up with a Shifting of Moods, thoughts, feelings and behavior problems. Unlike other mental disorders, like eating, development, personality, ambulatory and other disorders, bipolar is a shifting disorder and that is the reason we call it “bipolar”. The word Bipolar describes two opposite and extreme thought patterns, feelings and behaviors, which can switch within hours or weeks of each other.

Disorder “+”Bipolar Medications

It is important to work with your doctor to get the right dose of medication. While you must be patient, do not be contented for any medicine especially those that makes you feel miserable. Always consult your doctor of any side effects of the prescribed drugs you are taking. Doctors can only make the right diagnosis from what you tell them, to adjust or to switch your medications. If worse comes to worse, “DO NOT STOP” your medication because it can be very dangerous. Always work with your psychiatrist or health professional in your area.

"Your child is on top of the world laughing, excited and full of confidence, the next thing you know they can be talking about suicide. There might be tantrums, crying, even threats of violence, what could be possibly be happening. Well the answer might be bipolar disorder which used to be called manic depression. That diagnosis in children has increased in the past ten years, but there are still some questions of what exactly the symptoms are?” These were the words of Winnie King hosting the program called “Keeping Kids Healthy”.

The Two Angle Approach

These bipolar symptoms can be looked at from two different angles. One is through the eyes of the bipolar adolescent child and the other from those on the outside, especially those who have to deal with the patient on a daily basis. These can include parents or immediate families, teachers, doctors or psychiatrists and other relevant stake holders.

Symptoms from the Victim

When explaining their bipolar symptoms, children will usually describe the emotional highs and lows of the illness. Their experience could be summed up in this quote “It is a cycle I go with it every day, I start with a high and go down to low but normal in between, crash and start all over again.” Usually the mind is the one they have to go against with one side saying to get better yet on the other side they do not want to get well. It is a battle raging within and no matter what we say or do from the outside we cannot alter the situation. In most cases it makes it worse when we try to intervene. One effective way to intervene and control those electric neuron transmitters running wild in the brain is to use bipolar medication which has proved successful for many.

Bipolar from an Onlooker

As an onlooker we can only see the actions and emotions exposed by a child with the disease.  Common complaints from parents are; “He would be banging his head against the wall, saying things like I want to be dead, give me a knife. Sometimes just the word NO or DON’T can set up a set of angry reactions with things flying and angry words being spoken.” Some parents even experience constant verbal abuse from their children.

Act and Do not React

SO, what can you do as a parent? As a parent or caregiver you can, beside the usual medication, give your Adolescent child a break, just give them time to think and evaluate their actions. It is important to remember that what is happening in your child is something they have no control over. Since your child does not have any self control they get frustrated and those disappointments could lead to other unruly actions or behaviors.

Difficulties in Diagnosing Adolescent

Diagnosing adolescent bipolar children can be complex for any doctor, especially at this stage of physical and mental human development. Bipolar symptoms in young adolescent may be similar to that of young children, and older adolescent (young adults) is closer to that of adult symptoms. At times you may think you child is suffering from bipolar when really it may only be a phase of growing up. If you really do think his/her moods are extreme beyond normal then seek an evaluation from a doctor.

Hope

While we all hope and pray that one day our child will get better, sometimes our hope can turn to despair. This has happened in many cases but yet bipolar parents continue to fight the good fight. Even though your ill child may or may not get better you can only promise to give the best when things look bleak. Ultimately, your love for your adolescent bipolar child is being tested and sometimes they need you to hang on just as much as they are.

Bipolar disease or bipolar disorder can affect anyone of any age and a person could suffer from the illness for many years and not be diagnosed until late in life. No one really knows what causes this disease. We can only presume that a variety of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors are all involved in triggering this disease.

The Different Phases

This manic-depressive disorder causes extreme mood swings, from happy and energetic (mania phase), to sad and without energy (depression phase). The shifting from mania to depression and back again can occur quickly with deep mood swings lasting for weeks or months in some people. Usually, there are periods of normal or no moods in between. With bipolar disease there is no time frame for each episode, different people have different time frame for each bipolar phase.

Genetic Connection

If you have a member in your family who has bipolar disease there is a greater chance of you having it. Those who study the brain have indicated that people with bipolar disorder have chemical imbalances within their brains with researchers trying to find the genes that may be involved in the illness. Genes may be just one factor in the jigsaw puzzle.

Medication

To stop mood swings in bipolar disease it is treated with medicines, this helps to stabilize and to even out high phases and the low phases of the disorder. Doctors use antidepressant medicine to help reduce the depression symptoms. When patients get older, usually symptoms of the disease change in character and toughness. It is usually because of this that treatments may need to be accommodated. Treating bipolar disease is not an easy matter because there is no one drug that can do the job and practitioners have to go by a combination of drugs to be able to treat this disease.

Weight Gain

The most significant problem with people who are taking bipolar medicine is gaining weight. Many have suggested that this is due largely to the impact of certain types of medications commonly being prescribed for bipolar disorder. The whole picture is more complicated than laying a finger on the prescribed medications alone. There may be other factors involved.

Hope

Those with bipolar disease have led healthy, productive and fulfilling lives after their illness has been treated successfully. Many bipolar patients with beautiful children have successful marriages, going to work on a daily basis and compliant with their medication are relieved they have control over their illness. Not treating bipolar in time can worsen the disease and add a lot of pressure to the family.

Ask For Help

There are many physicians, qualified health providers who can answer your questions that you may have. Seeking the advice from others regarding a medical condition is a sign of strength not of weakness. If you are with a bipolar child or adult and cannot cope, look for a counselor. Better still look for a support group or support network for you and your ill patient. Do not leave it too late it might get worse for everybody.

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The Different types of Support Groups

Online support: For many people, online support, can be quite therapeutic and have a very positive effect. One of the beauties of online support is that it opens doorways for those that prefer to be indoors. It also helps those who are in remote areas and do not have any excess to a community.

Forums: Available online is a Bipolar disorder support forum where you can ask all sorts of questions and share advice from your experiences. Most of these forums do not deal with a specific topic but talk on various issues such as sexual orientation, gender identity, depression and even bereavement and grief.

Parent to other Parents Support: Only a mother can understand the pain, frustration and loneliness of rearing a bipolar child alone. A parent to parent support group allows parents of bipolar children to share their difficulties. Here parents learn to support other parents in more difficult situations. Just sharing your anger, frustration, anxieties, hopes and dreams in a support group can be a healing process. You are there not to solve a problem but rather to be a moral support for other families in similar or worse situations.

Addiction Support Group: This type of support group helps those who have an addiction. It can be an addiction to pain medication, antidepressants, sex, illicit drugs, alcohol, etc. Some disorder patients have been found to have an addiction on illicit drugs before being diagnosed with bipolar. Many people who have bipolar can easily fall into an addiction either in the form of medication, alcohol or prescribed drugs. Therefore it is important to have a good support network to turn to when times are hard.

Conclusion

A bipolar support group is an important part of recovery process beside medication. When dealing with thoughts and emotions it is vital that we have an outlet for sharing these experiences. In a support group, online or physical, everyone is both a teacher and a student because you have something to give and something to take.