Information on Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive illness)

(also called manic-depressive disorder)*Manic depression has typically used to represent a large group of mental illnesses and as systems of organization are now becoming more advanced, the new term of bipolar disorder gives more clarity in a diagnosis and is more of a clinical term, Manic depression has also been greatly stigmatized. Think about popular phrases like "manic Monday", "homicidal maniac". The term manic depression also excludes the cyclothymic or hypomanic (bipolar II disorder) versions of Bipolar disorder.

 Bipolar disorder is a medical condition where people have extreme mood swings. Not only affecting mood, but thoughts, behaviour and how someone functions.
Those affected by bipolar disorder switch between 3 emotional states: Severe highs -in the absence of drugs or alcohol (The mania), times of normal mood, and severe lows (the depression). 

During the manic phase, you may seem abnormally happy or high to others around you. In order to be diagnosed with a manic episode, you must have at least 4 of the following symptoms interfering with your day-to-day life for at least a week at a time:

- Talking so fast that others can't follow
- Racing thoughts, have trouble concentrating
- Thoughts that jump from idea to idea, being highly distractable
- Needing little or no sleep at all and yet have a ton of energy and strength
- Taking part in unnecessary pleasurable activities and reckless behaviour
- Psychotic symptoms (in severe cases) hallucinations or delusions
- Having an exaggerated feeling of power or greatness 

During the depressive phase, you may feel a drawn-out sense of hopelessness or sadness. Symptoms same as those of clinical depression.
(ex. loss of interest in activities, crying for no reason, slow thoughts, difficulty thinking or remembering, low energy, weakness and tiredness etc.)

So as you can see the two are very extreme highs and lows, what may feel like an emotional rollercoster.
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1% of the population; it typically starts in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects men and women equally.

It is not really known what causes bipolar disorder. There is evidence that bipolar disorder can be genetic, caused by stress or traumatic events, and even drug abuse can trigger or contribute to episodes of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is potentially a serious illness that does not get better over time and without treatment. Even though between episodes some people can function totally normal. Without treatment the disease gets worse over time.

There are many forms of treating bipolar disorder such as medications, and therapy and peer support groups. Sometimes electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is used when suicide risk is high or if medications have been ineffective. It is a safe and highy effective treatment.

It is so important to know that depression and bipolar disorder are treatable! Friends and family can be supportive  by learning all they can about the condition affecting their loved one.
You can learn more from support groups and community health associations. Here are some great websites providing great information bipolar disorder, and treatment available!


http://www.simcoecountycoalition.ca
http://www.mooddisorders.on.ca
http://www.mooddisorderscanada.ca/
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca

When Panic Attacks...

   Since I began my treatment for depression and anxiety, I personally have had a harder time dealing with my anxiety. Part of that is, I am still learning how to create a balance in my life. With work, family, friends and other projects in my life. The more I have going on, the more anxious I feel, the more compulsive and obsessive my thoughts get, the more stressed and overwhelmed I get. Not fun. I am working on it, support from family and friends help. Taking the time to educate myself also and treating myself all helps.
  
   To break it down...people with anxiety disorders feel a ton, I mean excessive anxiety, fear or worry. Often people suffering from anxiety disorders avoid situations that might make them feel anxious. Some develop compulsive routines or rituals that make them feel better. These feelings of anxiety can interfere with school, work, social activites, and/or relationships.

   There are different types of anxiety disorders...

Phobia:
Strong persistent fear of situations or objects. (animals, flying, heights ect.)

Panic Disorder:
Reoccurring, unexpected panic attacks, followed up by at least a month of consistent concern about suffering from another attack.
Panick attack symptoms can be: rapid heart beat, sweating, shaking, choking sensations or "lump in the throat" feeling, smothering or shortness of breath sensations, chest pain or discomfort, nausea, indigestion or abdominal discomfort, dizziness or unsteadiness, feeling "unreal" or "dreamy", feeling "outside yourself" or like "you dont exist", fear of losing control or going "crazy", numbness or tingling sesations, chills or hot flashes, muscle pain especially in the neck, back or shoulders.

-For me, this is what triggered my "breakdown" as I like to call it. The day my body said "hey! I can't do this anymore! I'm tired, I'm overwhelmed. I'm shutting down, I need rest." I ignored my depression and anxiety for too long. I suffered from a number of panic attacks which really scared me. I went straight to my doctor, I knew something was not right. (Panic disorder involves worry about what the attacks mean or a significant change in behaviours because of them.)

Social Anxiety Disorder:
Is anxiety due to a social or performance situation. (Going to parties, what seems to be the simplilest thing like going to the grocery store) Symptoms include racing heart beat, the shakes, sweating, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, muscle tension, confusion.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
This is not just experienced by war veterans. These can be triggered by any frightening experience where someone was physically or mentally harmed or harm was threatened. (Like; rape, child abuse, natural disaster) Sufferers usually flash back to these traumatic times, have persistent frightening thoughts and memories, anger or irritablity.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD):
Obsessions-persistent ideas, implusles, thoughts and or images that are unsettling and or inappropriate and can cause anxiety or stress. People with obsession often try to ignore them or counteract them with other thoughts or actions (compulsions)

Compulsions-are repetitive routines or rituals like; handwashing, "hair twisting", repeating words or counting that happen in response to an obsession.

   The development of anxiety disorders can be caused by genetics, biological, developmental and things like workplace or home stress, and social factors.

A great website to visit is www.anxietycanada.ca. A registered Canadian, non-profit organization who aims to promote the prevention, treatment, and management of anxiety disorders and to improve the lives of people who suffer from them.

   Anxiety disorders can be treated! There are medications, support groups and therapy that can help calm the anxious thoughts, and actions and develop skills to minimize and cope with the symptoms. As I said, I still struggle with my anxiety disorders. But I have alot more control over them, and understand more since seeking treatment. But it is very important to talk to someone. Your doctor or a friend, if you or someone you know suffers from an anxiety disorder. Support is one of the most important things that has helped me and can help anyone suffering from a anxiety disorder.

Thank You!

 

Since this article was published in the Barrie Advance last week, I have had an enormous amount of support and encouragement in my efforts and other efforts from those around the community doing their part to "stop the stigma." I have to thank all those who are supporting this blog, who read the article and passed on the information to a friend or family member or co-worker, anyone who has joined the stop the stigma facebook group, and Laurie Watt from the Barrie Advance for supporting me, and others and their journeys with mental illness. From my whole heart, thank you.

Barrie woman empowers self, others

Barrie woman empowers self, others. Make-up artist Krystie Ann

 

Assivero is sharing her experiences with anxiety and depression and quest for help in her new blog.

 

Laurie Watt photo

 

BARRIE - A Barrie beauty professional wants to put a new face on mental illness.
Krystie Ann Assivero, 25, is working to stop the stigma attached to mental illness with a new blog she started in the wake of organizing the first Let’s Celebrate Mental Health event here on March 28.
“I had been depressed since 2003,” said the St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School graduate. And as she matured and made her way in the working world, she added anxiety to her struggles.

“I had to go to the doctor,” she said, adding that many people do not seek medical help and instead wait for things to improve by themselves. But that may not happen.
“Just coming out of wintertime, everyone starts to feel better. But if you suffer from depression the sun is just not going to make you feel better.”

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness at some time in their life. Approximately eight per cent will experience major depression, and another five per cent experience anxiety disorders.
Statistics also show that suicide accounts for 24 per cent of deaths among those age 15 to 24, and 16 per cent among those age 25 to 44. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women in early to mid adulthood, the CMHA says.

Still, nearly half of those suffering from anxiety or depression have never turned to a doctor for help.
And yet that’s what made the big difference in Assivero’s life.
 “I didn’t want to take any medication, but there are other treatment options. It was a chemical imbalance. My condition was so severe I needed to go on meds to stabilize it. Now I’m feeling much better,” she said.
She was also unaware of the resources CMHA and other organizations such as the Center for Inner Freedom have to offer.

Explaining her condition to her family and friends has also created a support network, which reduces feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, Assivero said. Educating them has empowered them to help her even more.
That’s also why she’s starting her blog – to give others a place to share and support each other.

“Hopefully people will start to be able to talk about mental illness. When you start talking about it, you feel better, because you’re not carrying it on your shoulders,” she said.

Her blog is found at www.stoppingthestigma.blogspot.com


lwatt@simcoe.com

Up coming events in the community...

The CMHA has some great events coming up this spring and summer!

For more information on any of the events visit www.cmhasim.on.ca or by calling 705-726-5033

New Path Also has their annual fundraising gala.
"Not Just Jazz 2010"
 Friday June 11th
A New Venue for 2010-Magic, Mirth & Music 
Click here for more information!
Or visit www.newpath.ca or by calling 705-733-2654

Its so common...yet the most misunderstood.

Feeling down or "blue" here or there is totally normal. But when those feelings intensify and happen for more than a few weeks, and interfere with a persons life, it may be clinical depression.

Very often people use the term "depressed" loosly-"I lost my game! I'm so depressed!" Well someone who is clinically depressed it's a lot more serious. You can't just "cheer someone up" who has clinical depression. You can't just tell them to get off their butt, and get out side. It is an illness, not a weakness and should be treated like any other serious illness.

Depression can progress gradually or suddenly. No two people will experience depression the same way. But there are common signs of depression such as;
Irritability
Decreased Productivity
Feelings of hopelessness
Changes in weight and appetite
Sleeping too much or too little
Obsessive thoughts
Crying for no reason
Withdrawl from regular activites
Neglecting duties (ie paying bills, housework)
Persistent thoughts of death, or suicide or hurting ones self.

Someone who has been experiencing several of these signs for more than a few weeks should seek help. It is SO important not to try and diagnose yourself or hope the symptoms will go away. This is what I did for the longest time. And without treatment, symptoms may last for months even years. And there is a high risk of depression coming and going regularly. There is can also be a risk of suicide.

People with clinical depression must live with their feelings 24/7. Depression touches everyone, friends, family, co-workers. Depression can affect men and women of any age, education, social status. Nearly 3 million Canadians will experience depression at one time in their lives. Most often between the ages of 24-44.

There are so many factors that can increase the risk of developing depression too:
Genetics, physical/emotional abuse, personal trauma, Gender (women are twice as likley to develop depression than men). The most important thing is that there is treatment. If someone you know or yourself are experiencing depression, the first step is key. Getting Help. 80% of people with depression can recover, if they get help.

Talk with a health care professional, or your employee assistance professional. People like this can direct you in the right direction. Self-help groups, counseling, peer and family support, refer you to a specialist who may recommend medication of psychotherapy. These treatments are amazing and highly successful used alone, or in combination.


If you seek help immediately it can make a difference. And like I continue to say. You are not alone.