Bipolar Disorder - MyAnimeList.net

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Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder, also referred to as bipolar affective disorder or manic depression, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes. The elevated moods are clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes, or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood; but, in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, which is known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to such psychotic symptoms as delusions and hallucinations.

The causes are substantial genetic contribution, as well as environmental influence.

Bipolar disorder is a disease that on present times affects 2% of the world's population. However, it is treatable today.

"Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in the experience of it, an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide."
— Kay Redfield Jamison

--- Depression:
* sadness and fatigue
* loss of interest in activities
* changes in sleeping and eating patterns
* difficulty concentrating
* feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
* thoughts of death or suicide
VS
--- Mania:
* sudden euphoria or rage
* hyperactivity
* inflated self-steem
* racing thoughts
* decreased need for sleep
* preoccupation with irrelevant matters
* reckless behavior
* hypersexuality
* psychotic symptoms (delusions; hallucinations)

"I'm fine, but I'm bipolar. I'm on seven medications, and I take medication three times a day. This constantly puts me in touch with the illness I have. I'm never quite allowed to be free of that for a day. It's like being a diabetic."
- Carrie Fisher: actress, screenwriter and novelist who is most famous for her portrayal as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. Famous for speaking openly about her battles with bipolar disorder, Carrie contributed to the award-winning Stephen Fry documentary 'The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive'.

* From the club creator: I started to treat my Bipolar Disorder at age 16 and almost needed to be hospitalized. Today I no longer suffer severe manic or depressive episodes neither psychotic symptoms, but need constant medication. I only use medication though, no therapy.

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mrjag | 08-19-11, 5:11 PM

@Mask_Head , I used the "Two Heads are better than one" describing myself to some guy on my class, when I was attending college.
Thank you, lol.
Best regards

mrjag | 04-28-11, 6:34 AM

Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones may help dispel stigma of bipolar disorder.
4/14/2011 10:53:57 AM ET
By Rebecca Dube

Zeta-Jones suffers from bipolar disorder, and checked herself into a mental health facility earlier this month, her publicist has confirmed.

The news may be shocking to fans who associate the actress and wife of Michael Douglas with her image of polished glamour. But bipolar disorder – which used to be called manic depression – can take many different forms, psychiatrist Gail Saltz told TODAY.

"It can look like a very high-functioning person who is just super 'up,' " Saltz said.

Zeta-Jones is diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, which is less severe than bipolar I. People with her condition swing between major depression and what’s called hypomania, which can include intense irritability, sleeplessness, relentless optimism or grandiose elation.

Zeta-Jones’s publicist, CeCe Yorke, blamed stress for the actress’s recent hospital stay. In the past year, her husband was diagnosed with advanced throat cancer; he’s also been battling a lawsuit from his ex-wife seeking half of his recent movie earnings. Zeta-Jones and Douglas have two children, ages 7 and 10.

Stress can indeed be a trigger for bipolar episodes, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, NBC’s chief medical editor, told TODAY. And a brief stay in a hospital would not be uncommon, either to bring a manic episode under control, or to tune-up medications for more effective treatment, Snyderman and Saltz noted. Bipolar disorder can usually be controlled with a combination of medication and therapy. Lithium is one of the most common treatments.
Researchers aren’t quite sure what causes bipolar disorder -- a combination of genetic and environmental factors seem to come into play. They do know the disorder is associated with an imbalance in the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Bipolar disorder affects about 2.5 percent of the U.S. population, around 6 million people. Mental-health advocates hope Zeta-Jones’s public struggle will help dispel some of the myths and fears about mental illness.

"There is a ridiculous stigma in this country about this," Snyderman said. "We have to get over it. People get sick, our job as doctors is to get them well."

Saltz applauded Zeta-Jones for announcing that she has bipolar disorder after the National Enquirer reported that she had checked in to a psychiatric hospital.

"I think it’s tremendously brave of her to come forward and I’m delighted that she’s doing that," Saltz said. "There are many people getting a new diagnosis, and we want them to know they have every hope, if they get treatment, of having wonderfully productive lives."

Yorke, Zeta-Jones’s publicist, said the 41-year-old actress is "feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on her two upcoming films."

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42589427/ns/today-today_health/