Kansas City Nursing News - Kansas City,KS,USA
... This can be the devastating reality of bipolar disorder, the symptoms of which affect nearly eight million Americans. They often ...
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Bipolar disorder: the hidden epidemic
By:NUI December 28, 2004
One day you feel like the life of the party; you're on top of the world. But sometimes, you feel out of control and do things you regret - like spend excessive amounts of money, or engage in inappropriate sexual activity or other self-destructive actions.
Then, everything can change. You fall into a deep depression, you can't concentrate, and you are often irritable and too tired to get out of bed.
This can be the devastating reality of bipolar disorder, the symptoms of which affect nearly eight million Americans. They often know something is wrong, but they cannot identify it or do not seek medical treatment. Many people spend years undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Intense mood changes, racing thoughts and impulsive actions are some of the signs of bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is a chronic but treatable medical condition that may make life feel like a series of intense highs and crippling lows.
Bipolar depression is a bigger problem because patients can spend three times longer in a depressed state compared to a manic state. Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder are critical, as symptoms of the disease may worsen over time when inappropriately treated. Suicide and problems with alcohol and drugs are common issues associated with untreated or misdiagnosed bipolar disorder.
One woman with bipolar disorder recalled the years she spent undiagnosed.
"For much of the time, I was at one end of the spectrum or the other. For me, the depression has always been the worst part of being bipolar," she said. "When my children were young, they often spent days in their pajamas, eating cereal from a measuring cup and playing in a dirty playroom, basically taking care of their young selves, while I sat paralyzed by depression."
New findings published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry further explain the dramatic impact of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These findings show that for men and women of all ages, the illness is often characterized as a daily struggle to cope.
Research has found that personal relationships are especially affected. People with the symptoms of bipolar disorder are less likely to have fulfilling relationships and many experience difficulties with their spouses, children and relatives.
Research also shows that bipolar disorder can be passed from generation to generation in families. While the condition affects men and women equally, their experience with the disease may be distinctly different.
Researchers noted that women with symptoms of bipolar disorder reported more disruptions in their lives than men. Men with symptoms of bipolar disorder reported a higher incidence of legal problems and were three times more likely to have been jailed, arrested or convicted of a crime.
Emmy Award-winning actress Mariette Hartley knows these unfortunate findings all too well.
"For years, I didn't know what was wrong with me or why I was behaving the way I did," Hartley said. "After suffering from severe depression following my divorce, I realized I needed to seek help. Now, with medical treatment, I've been able to get it under control and am dedicated to helping others do the same."
To offer hope to those struggling with the effects of bipolar disorder, Hartley is participating in a bipolar disorder awareness program developed by GlaxoSmithKline, designed to show that a full, balanced life is possible through effective management of the illness.
The goal of the program is to encourage people to seek an early and accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
For more information about bipolar disorder and available treatments, visit www.bipolar.com.