Likeminds Taranaki

Bi Polar Affective Disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Affective Disorder is more than the temporary feelings of being depressed which we often feel when we are stressed or have problems, or of being high when something goes well. The essential feature of bipolar affective disorder is that these feelings are enduring, and are associated with a number of other typical symptoms. They also cause difficulty in a person's ability to participate in everyday activities and relationships. Some people may experience a loss of touch with reality (psychosis) during severe episodes of changed mood.

What are the symptoms?

People with Bipolar Disorder can become very 'high':

• Overexcited and reckless
• Feel on top of the world
• Be more talkative than usual
• Be angry or aggressive and easily irritated
• Imagine that they are more important or influential than they are in real life
• Be unable to make sensible decisions, perhaps spend lots of money, or have uncharacteristic sexual behaviour.

They can also become extremely 'low':

• Feeling helpless and depressed
• Experiencing difficulty with making decisions or concentrating
• Wanting to 'escape' from their mind through sleeping, misuse of alcohol and drugs etc
• Lose all interest in people

• Lose or gain weight.

The cause is unknown. As with other illnesses, there is likely to be a combination of hereditary and other causes. This disorder is not a character flaw and it is not your fault.

Around 1 in every 100 people develop Bipolar Affective Disorder. It most often begins between the ages of 15 and 40 and occurs in approximately the same numbers in all ethnic groups. Most people return to their usual level of functioning after episodes of illness, although about 20-30% will have some ongoing difficulties.

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, regular sleeping, relaxation etc. can all help reduce stress and help lift your mood. Drink alcohol in moderation and avoid recreational drugs.
Research the illness on the internet, using reputable reliable sources. See below for some useful links.

The following websites provide information on Bipolar Affective Disorder:

Everybody
a general website providing an A-Z search of Health Topics - search for 'biploar affective disorder'.