You’ve Just Been Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder . What Now? I’ve always had mood swings. I used to throw huge What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar Depression tantrums when I was a kid. As I got older, People diagnosed with bipolar disorder have Bipolar depression is a very common occurrence the highs got higher and the lows got lower. I lost mood swings involving both lows (bipolar in both bipolar I and bipolar II; such periods several jobs and ruined a whole bunch of depression) and highs (called mania if severe or are referred to as major depressive episodes. Most relationships. Finally, I decided nothing could be worse hypomania if mild). people who have a major depressive episode do than living like I was, and I went to get some help.” not have bipolar disorder. However, bipolar Some people with bipolar disorder can experience depressive episodes look and feel identical to other what’s called a mixed state. When this happens, depressive episodes, and affect virtually everyone It was like my brain played a cruel joke on me. My people have symptoms of both depression and who has bipolar disorder at one time or another. energy and creativity were the things I relied mania at the very same time. They have all of the In fact, people with bipolar disorder tend to spend on and when I became depressed they were completely negative feelings that come with depression, but more time depressed than manic. In both types of gone, as was most of my will to live. There was they also feel agitated, restless, and activated. the illness, bipolar depression (the lows) is more no way I could snap out of it. The depression was common than mania or hypomania (the highs), stronger than I was. I’m so grateful that my There are different types or patterns of bipolar and the depressions can be quite severe, even treatment has helped me get back to living my life.” disorder, such as rapid cycling (more than four dangerous. Even more than typical depression, mood episodes in one year), cyclothymia (mild bipolar depression is likely to be accompanied highs and lows), and bipolar not otherwise by disability and suicidal thinking and behavior. I thought medication was going to make me weird or an specified (NOS), which is an inexact term for One thing that all types of bipolar disorder have addict. But after a few months, I wasn’t really aware I people whose symptoms don’t quite fit the other in common is this: people with the illness spend was taking it. There was no high, but I now feel a lot less categories. However, the two most common types the majority of their symptomatic lives below depressed. As long as I keep taking my pill every morning are bipolar I and bipolar II. baseline, in the low, depressed phase. Because and go to therapy regularly, I’m able to cope with life. depression can be the more common or more Things that used to make me cry and want to go hide, I’m Bipolar I obvious part of bipolar disorder, some people able to deal with now.” Bipolar I disorder is the classic form of the illness, who have bipolar disorder may get treatment in which the individual experiences extreme for depression only, and the diagnosis of bipolar “ highs (mania) and lows (bipolar depression) in disorder can be overlooked for years. Just diagnosed with bipolar mood. Sometimes the manic symptoms can be disorder? You’re not alone. so severe that people can hear voices or see things Symptoms of Bipolar Depression f you’ve just been that are not there, or they might firmly believe in Sad, empty, irritable, or tearful mood nearly diagnosed with ideas that are not true. Sometimes these beliefs every day bipolar disorder, you are uncomfortable (like the firm conviction that No interest in or pleasure from activities once enjoyed Iare not alone. Bipolar particular people are out to get the individual). Major changes in appetite or body weight disorder affects more than Sometimes these beliefs are actually enjoyable Insomnia or sleeping too much “ nine million Americans. (like people believing that they are divine or Feelings of restlessness or agitation It is treatable, and you have special powers); ironically, these seemingly Fatigue, exhaustion, or lack of energy are not weak, flawed, or pleasant beliefs can be the most dangerous of all. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt crazy. One of the best Difficulty concentrating or making decisions things you can do to help Bipolar II Thoughts of death or suicide yourself in your recovery is to learn all you can Those with bipolar II disorder don’t have such about your illness. extreme highs or manic symptoms as in bipolar Symptoms of Mania / Hypomania I disorder. Instead, they experience mild highs, Feeling overly energetic, high, better than good, What’s happening to me? or hypomania. The symptoms of hypomania or unusually irritable for at least one week “Bipolar disorder is a physical illness that affects the are similar to those of mania, but are much less Very high self-esteem; feeling all-powerful brain. The exact cause is not known, but itis known intense and severe. In fact, people who experience Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired that an imbalance in brain chemicals plays a role. hypomania might not feel impaired at all. For Talking more than usual or feeling pressure to Bipolar disorder also has a genetic component, example, people who are hypomanic might be more keep talking meaning it can run in families. It’s not caused by talkative than usual, but their speech makes sense Racing thoughts; many ideas coming all at once stress, as some people think, but the course of bipolar and seems to follow a logical pattern. They don’t Distracted easily; thoughts or statements disorder can be affected by biological and social experience hallucinations or delusions. Hypomania jumping topic-to-topic stresses in your life. It is not your fault, and you might make them appear more energetic or Increase in goal-directed activity; restlessness shouldn’t be ashamed. There are many things you can productive. But if their illness goes untreated, they Excessive pursuit of pleasure (e.g., financial or do to mange how bipolar disorder affects you. can become severely depressed. sexual) without thought of consequences 730 N. Franklin Street • Suite 501 • Chicago, Illinois 60654 DBSAlliance.org • (800) 826-3632 Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance People who live with bipolar disorder can also You can also go online and use our free DBSA Do I need to see more than one health experience related problems. Wellness Tracker, an interactive tool designed to care provider? Drinking/using substances chart your moods, symptoms, lifestyle, medication, Bipolar disorder is best treated by mental health Overeating and overall physical health. It allows you to generate professionals. Primary care physicians have some Cutting or hurting yourself reports to see trends or patterns in your health that familiarity with treating individuals with depression, Obsessions (can’t stop thinking about you can share with your health care provider. Find the but most will readily say that, in treating someone something or someone) DBSA Wellness Tracker at www.FacingUs.org/Tracker. with bipolar disorder, they want the help of a Anxiety specialist. Sometimes you will need to see one health Panic attack What if I start to feel suicidal? care provider for psychotherapy or talk therapy (a Isolating/hiding from people It’s especially important psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, social worker, Delusions (strange or bizarre thoughts) to have a plan in place to or other professional) and another provider for Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things) help yourself if you start to medication (a psychiatrist or sometimes a primary feel suicidal and to make care or other doctor). If you have more than one What is the difference between a mood a promise to yourself that person treating you, let them know how they can disorder and ordinary mood swings? you’ll use it. You can start reach one another. It is best for all of you to work Intensity. Mood swings that come with a mood by using the plan on the together to find the right treatment plan for you. disorder are usually more severe than ordinary next page. Make a list of mood swings. the phone numbers of What are the benefits of psychotherapy? Length. A bad mood is usually gone in a few days, trusted friends, health care You may need extra help coping with unhealthy but mania or depression can last weeks or months. providers, and crisis hotlines you can call if and when relationships or harmful lifestyle choices that When a person suffers from rapid cycling, high you are having trouble. Your life is important, and contribute to your illness. Psychotherapy (talk and low moods can come and go quickly, but the as strong as suicidal thoughts may seem, they are a therapy) can be very helpful for this. Choose a person does not usually return to a stable mood for temporary and treatable symptom of your illness. therapist with whom you feel comfortable and a long period of time. Get help as soon as you start having these thoughts. whose judgment you trust. The goal of therapy is Interference with life. Mood disorders can cause One national crisis hotline you can use is 1-800- for you to develop skills and behaviors that will serious problems. For example, depression can make 273-TALK (8255). You can also check your local help you cope with difficult situations and help you a person unable to get out of bed or go to work, and phone directory or ask your health care providers to become aware of, and possibly prevent, episodes mania can cause a person to go for days without for a local crisis line number.