Bipolar Disorder: More Than the Ups and Downs of Life

Annon. The over diagnosing of "illness of the day" seems to be prevalent and a problem. I was misdiagnosed for decades and the usual answer o the problem was what drugs or approaches were most fashionable at the time. It was only when a psychiatrist hooked onto the fact that my younger brother is likely schizophrenic or some other worser condition did he reevaluate the situation. I think an ordinary gp is likely to be inadequate for this diagnosis. Also many pychiatrists are not able to spot this illness. For a while adhd was the hot illness now it is bi polar. Getting a correct diagnosis is just the beginning of treating this illness or for that matter most others.

I do disagree with the idea that there is a root cause for this in environmental factors. They certainly play a part in any individuals approach to what they perceive of as the world, but this illness has a genetic source that should not be overlooked. I believe the environmental although not insignificant, is secondary.

I appreciate the comments below. Those who have extreme symptoms of bipolar disorder definitely benefit from professional help. Many need professional support, and for those who are suicidal, professional support can be life saving. However, one of the problems with bipolar disorder, especially, but also for many other mental illnesses, is that once a diagnosis is reached, a label designated (bipolar disorder is one of the most frequently mislabeled mental illnesses, clinical studies show that up to 50% of diagnoses of bipolar disorder are in error, unscientific methods are often used in establishing the label), many throw up their hands, go to a doctor, take medicine, and then go about their life as if nothing more can be done. That is not a good approach. No matter what our diagnosis, we have to take measures to improve our situation, and there is a lot that can be done to improve one's mental health. Even many psychiatrists, probably most, don't consider this point, but have taken the approach of labeling and medicating. That might pacify the situation temporarily, but medication treats symptoms, and doesn't cure the illness. Why has one developed these symptoms? we have to ask. This is the hard part, and most psychiatrists don't want to go that deep with it, it's easier to label and medicate. http://www.winmentalhealth.com/about_bipolar_disorder.php

Ok two things the first person above is obviously angry over having or knowing someone who has the illness. It is not an easy thing to cope with and I certainly have been very angry about it but anger does not help it.I would suggest that it not deter one from seeking help. As an example. Twenty percent of bipolar people take lithium with good affect. For them that is all that is needed.

The person who suggested different approaches to ones activities has provided very useful information and although it will not cure bipolar disorder it sounds to me like it would go far in increasing the quality of one's life.

Ok . I have had atypical responses to bipolar drugs but here is the information for anyone reading this.

For unknown reasons many people who are bipolar respond to anticonvulsents. I tried some of these and found one that made me angry, angry with mean attached to it. I realized that it would make me prone to fight with people so I stopped immeadiatly. On the other hand I hand a great experience with the drug lamictal. Atypical but great. Calm as could be not drugged but calm with a photographic memory. Then I discovered I was allergic to the drug. All attempts at adjustment failed. This was the kind of reaction that could lead to,in the worst case death so I regrettably had to stop taking that. This was disheartening for I had felt a bit cheated since it not only helped the illness it improved brain function.

What did work were off label approaches. I try to stay up to date on paers dealig with treatment and discovered that the drug Provigil was being found effective (phase 2 testing on it's sister drug nuvigil) for bipolar depression. It proved usefull. I now get it from Canada (my insurance company will not pay for it and in the USA it is about 10.50 a pill I pay 1/10th of that for a Canadian version) and take about 1/4 of the usual dose.
Try a drug called Deplin (get samples via your Dr.) This is interesting. Deplin (Google to it's webpage). Yet another drug my insurance company will not pay for) Is l methyfolate which is what is produced inthe final step of our body processing folate. Supposedly 20-50% of people have varying degrees of difficulty proccesing folate. low folate leads to problems with neurochemicals in the brain. I was the first person, now my Dr. has several patients using it. I halved my doses of certain drugs after taking this.
On th OTC side I take l tyrosine 3x a day ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. This raises dopamine in the brain. IF you take it with food it is ineffective.

NAC or n acetyl cysteine has also been found to be effective I take 600mg a day do not take over 1200mg.
You can get this from the big online vitamin companies like Puritan or Swansons.The other benefits of the last two items is that they lower homo cysteine where high levels are associated with cardio problems and perhaps alzheimers.

I also take a low dose of wellbutrin xl 150mg once a day.

All the ssri antidepressants did not work for me.

I am hopeful that one day better diagnosis and a cure will be found until then I have to do what works for me.

As far as people who think it is not real Bi polar illness and schizophrenia have been found to be geneticly related.

I might also suggest looking into psycho therapy such as cognitive therapy because with this illness you probably are going to pick up some "baggage" on the way.

Best of luck to all.

"Bipolar disorder is known for its ups and downs. But does it go beyond the typical person's up-and-down feelings during life...?"

If it didn't go beyond the typical ups-and-downs, why on earth would it be known for it? Otherwise a decent article but not too useful for bipolar patients I'm afraid.

One aspect of bipolar disorder that's often overlooked is that of self help. There's a lot one can do for oneself to improve one's symptom profile, even to adjust one's lifestyle to the point that it puts him or her out of the range of being diagnosable. One John's Hopkins doctor and expert on bipolar disorder felt that up to 30% of the symptoms of bipolar could be addressed by attention to diet, nutrition, exercise, cutting out smoking and alcohol, and other positive lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, the media might be an area where some can make adjustments, less intense music, along with less time listening to music, for some. Some who have bipolar disorder, might listen to some pretty intense music on a regular basis. This can effect both mood and the chemical balance of one's mind. Additionally, intense movies and TV can also contribute, as well as the time one spends watching TV. TV is pretty strong bombardment of the mind. So, for those who are very sensitive, or who have had some trauma in life, then doing without all of that can make a positive difference, really limiting, spending more time reading, doing art work, time outdoors, walking, hiking, etc. Walking is a great exercise, because it releases chemicals in the mind which can be naturally stabilizing, and it is a positive effort, helps to balance moods and clear your mind for 30 minutes to an hour a day, and is great for depression also. It helps you to focus. Art helps you to focus and can be a natural mood stabalizer. (also, avoid pornography, it is destabilizing). This is a link that some other ideas: http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_bipolar_disorder.php
And one for general self help in mental health. http://www.winmentalhealth.com/self_help_psychology_16_keys.php
Hope this is helpful to some.

I think you may have understated the extremes of the depression that bi polar people might sink to. Twenty percent of those who are bi polar commit suicide. A person should try to find the best psychiatrist they can and get the appropriate treatment. It is not always an easy process and a person might have to try different drugs in order to find what might work best for them.

I'm so sick of "there are many treatments" and "it's treatable".
Yes there are many treatments for "severed head syndrome" too. But there are no cures.
Bi-polar is not curable. By candy coating it and trying to give people hope it in fact comes off as belittling to people who are likely facing a lifetime of serious incurable problems.

I'm sure it makes psychiatrists feel better though.