• Home
• Recommended Reading
• Are You Eligible for Disability?
• Married to Someone Bipolar?
• Privacy Policy

From Past to Present: A History of Bipolar Disorder

November 2nd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

It has only been recently that the term “bipolar disorder” has been coined to represent what has always been a misunderstood condition. The ancient Greeks knew of it, and the ancient Chinese even wrote about it in an encyclopedia. Yet, it was only in 1957 that the terms “bipolar” and “unipolar” were even used. By learning the history of bipolar disorder, it will help one to both understand and appreciate the many advancements that have been made in the field today. The history of the disorder also provides hope for the advancements to be made in the future.

From Ancient Descriptions to the Modern Day Disease

Excluding the ancient Greeks and Chinese, not much research was done in the history of bipolar disorder until the 1950s. In 1954, two French scientists separately presented their theories regarding a “biphasic mental illness” that consisted of reoccurring cycles of mania and depression. One of these scientists, Jules Baillarger, called the illness folie a double forme (dual-form insanity). The other scientist, Jean-Pierre Falret, referred to the condition as folie circulaire (circular insanity).

It was then that Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist who lived from 1856-1926, began more thoroughly studying the disorder. In 1902, Kraepelin monitored the natural progression of untreated bipolar patients. In his notes, he described the patients using the term “manic depressive psychosis.” This was the first time in the history of bipolar disorder that such a precise term had ever been used. After World War II, an Australian psychiatrist named John Cade was the first to discover that lithium carbonate could be used to treat manic depressive psychosis. At this time during the history of bipolar disorder, many experts feared that table salt substitutes were toxic or fatal; thus, it wasn’t until the 1950s that American hospitals experimented with this knowledge. Lithium was finally approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1970. In 1968, the condition was reclassified as an illness (manic depressive illness). Recently, the term “bipolar disorder” has become more common. Many prefer the older term because it is more accurate to describe the condition as an illness rather than a disorder.

Famous Sufferers of Bipolar Disorder Ion History

There were many famous people that displayed classic symptoms of bipolar disorder, even though they were never diagnosed or treated. These historical sufferers of bipolar disorder include: Virginia Woolf, Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Leo Tolstoy, Ernest Hemmingway, and Abraham Lincoln.

A Promising Future

Though it took hundreds of years to research, classify, and treat bipolar disorder, we still have a long way to go before curing it. Yet, the history of bipolar disorder provides the hope that long strides might be made in a short period of time.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: history of bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder, bipolar disease

Controlling Your Bipolar Disorder With Service Dogs

October 31st, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Having a bipolar disorder is living in a constant Catch-22 situation. You need to get immediate treatment when a manic or hypomanic episode hits, yet the symptoms are next to impossible for you to detect. You think you are behaving normally. And sooner or later, you wind up in the hospital for reasons you either remember or don’t. Controlling your bipolar disorder is much easier when you can recognize your symptoms. Consider getting a service dog to help with controlling your bipolar disorder.

A Dog?

Dogs are well known for being able to be a human being’s other half. Guide dogs for the blind have been around since World War II. Dogs are trained to help the deaf, paraplegics and all sorts of other disabled people. Dogs are social animals, and have been known to take care of disabled canine friends. Even wolves have been reported doing this. So a dog is a logical and uncomplaining companion that helps you with controlling your bipolar disorder.

General Effects Of A Dog

Pets can greatly help us get out from the maelstrom of our own troubles, even if only for the time it takes to walk and cuddle with them. They have been shown in stuffy after study to boost morale and confidence in patience with all sorts of physical and mental problems. Service dogs trained in controlling your bipolar disorder have been trained to recognize symptoms like a panic attack. They will not leave you alone and not let you harm yourself. Service dogs have also been trained to push a speed dial button on a phone to call 911 (in England, 999) in emergencies, such as seizures or when a patient cannot be wakened (say, from an overdose of antidepressants). But the main benefit of any dog – whether specially trained for controlling your bipolar symptoms or not – is that they are there for you. They let you complain as much as you want and still wag their tails when they see you. This loyalty in you can oftentimes inspire you to treat yourself better.

How Much?

Service dogs are expensive. But they are much cheaper than a car, a pool or a new designer wardrobe, which you may be tempted to buy on impulse during your manic phases. You can contact the Psychiatric Service Dog Society in Arlington, Virginia by either visiting their website or calling (517)216-1589. Service dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from Yorkshire Terriers to massive Bloodhounds.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: bipolar depression, bipolar disorder, bipolar disease, bipolar symptoms, controlling your bipolar

Childhood Bipolar Disorder: A Treatable Disease

October 29th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Many people have heard about bipolar disorder or as it is sometimes referred maniac depression. However, many may not be aware that this is a disease that can occur in childhood. Childhood bipolar disorder can be seen in children as young as infants, or it can begin in adolescences.

Symptoms of Childhood Bipolar Disorder

There is a difference between the symptoms experience by adults and children with bipolar disorder. Many adults go through weeks of phases with this disorder. They may appear very energized and seem to be in a mania. Then they will have weeks of extreme lows where they are unable to function.

Childhood bipolar disorder can appear to be a combination of mania and depression that can occur during the same time. There are also periods of normal emotions in between. Childhood bipolar disorder symptoms can include destructive rages, extreme emotions, hyperactivity, sleeping too little, or sleeping too much, impulsive behaviors and there are more symptoms. Childhood bipolar disorder needs to be identified and treatment should begin as soon as possible. In order to get childhood bipolar disorder properly diagnosed it is important to keep a record of behaviors to show a physician and then a psychiatrist. By keeping tack of when and what behaviors present themselves, a parent can actively monitor if a child had bipolar disorder or maybe another disorder such as ADHD.

Treatment for Childhood Bipolar Disorder

Since bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, treatment can change throughout a person’s lifetime. Most often, mood altering medications will be subscribed in order to get the child stabilized emotionally. These medications will continue to be part of a child’s lifetime, and as new medications are found can change. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, so it is imperative to learn what can make the symptoms better. The next step in treating childhood bipolar disorder is to see a psychotherapist to help a child learn how to control their emotions. This can be a very difficult process for a child and may take many sessions to begin to see results. In these sessions children learn relaxation techniques, learn how to let go of stress, discovering situations which may cause a child stress and how to avoid or cope with these situations. Psychotherapy is an important part of treating childhood bipolar disorder. Childhood bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming to both a child and their parents. It is critical to begin searching for the right support and treatment for your child. Parents too may find that they benefit from seeing a psychotherapist for ideas on ways to cope with the stress that this disorder has on a family. Don’t be afraid to look for help, for yourself or your child.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: bipolar disease, bipolar symptoms, bipolar depression, childhood bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder

Holistic Bipolar Treatment

October 27th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Bipolar treatment is difficult because you have to find the right combination of medicines and make sure that the patient takes them properly. Today there are a lot of studies being done about holistic approaches to bipolar treatment. These studies are being funded by organizations such as the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health. Of course, you should know that your insurance will not cover this form of bipolar treatment.

Vitamins and Minerals for Bipolar Treatment

There are many vitamins and minerals available with mood stabilizing properties and the ability to fight depression. Most of these vitamins and minerals can be found in a good multivitamin but you should check with your psychiatrist to make sure that you can take a multivitamin.

St. John’s Wort for Bipolar Treatment

While it has been said that St. John’s Wort does wonders for depression, if you are bipolar you really need to use extreme caution and consult with your doctor before using it. This is because this herb can trigger mania in those people that are bipolar but have not yet experienced a manic episode. It is also important to understand that in February of 2000 the FDA released a public health advisory warning that there was a risk of dangerous interactions between St. John’s Wort and certain medications that are used for bipolar treatment.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Part of Bipolar Treatment

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish, fish oil and flax seed. While you may not be too thrilled about eating these things, you should know that if you cannot tolerate high doses of your medications or the side effects that they cause, Omega-3 fatty acids can help. Of course, you should talk to your doctor before you start taking this supplement as part of your bipolar treatment. They should be fine though since they are a natural supplement with very few side effects and little or no toxic effects outside of some mild gastrointestinal distress.

Conclusion

While you may be skeptic of things until you find proof for them, you really should not be skeptic of using holistic methods with psychiatric medications in order to make your life better. There really are some great alternative options available for bipolar treatment. Just make sure that you are working with your doctor when and if you decide to try any of these things. You do not want to try to fight this illness alone.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder, bipolar depression, bipolar treatment, bipolar disease

Bipolar Symptoms: Mania and Depression Symptoms

October 25th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Bipolar disorder is a condition where the behavior of an individual is severely affected. The person may have and elevated high of good humor and excitement or a depressed state where he is pessimistic and sad. Bipolar symptoms manifest themselves when the individual is around late adolescence or early adulthood. This stage in a teen-ager’s life is usually a very moody phase where the teen grapples with his identity as a child and an adult. Some bipolar symptoms are often misunderstood as rebellion, irrational behavior of a teen or angst. This disorder can often jeopardize a person’s social life and friendships. There are usually two poles in the mood range of a bipolar sufferer, extreme mania or excitement and severe depression or sadness. These poles are the gauges of which phase the individual may be in and what bipolar symptoms to expect at this phase or mood.

Bipolar Symptoms: Mania

The manic state of a bipolar sufferer may have several bipolar symptoms, including, increase in energy levels and less need for sleep, low attention span and incoherence due to very speedy thought processes that speech cannot cope with. Other manic bipolar symptoms are delusions or unrealistic belief in oneself and less concentration on things and projects. The individual may also exhibit an urge to laugh even at mundane things and be very excitable.

Bipolar Symptoms: Depression

People with bipolar disorder may feel depressed at times. This severe depression is accompanied by other bipolar symptoms like anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, isolation, guilt and anger. More bipolar symptoms pertaining to the depressed state are apathy, self-hate, depersonalization, social anxiety, shyness, irritability, loss of interest in previous interests and indifference. The person may also entertain thoughts on suicide and death. Some people who have bipolar disorders may also experience a mixed state where they have both the mania and depression. The mood swings during this mixed state are rapid and the person may be volatile and very aggressive. Bipolar symptoms are very similar to some disorders and sickness, except for the mood swings. You need to monitor your young adult regarding these in order to be able to help him cope with this disorder and start treatment as soon as possible. The usual treatment for bipolar symptoms and the disorder itself is medication. Effective alternatives to medication and drugs have not been discovered yet to fully control and manage this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment will benefit the individual.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: bipolar depression, bipolar symptoms, bipolar disorder, bipolar symptoms, bipolar disease

The Benefits of Bipolar Support Groups

October 23rd, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

The first step towards understanding and coping with any medical condition is to educate yourself about it. A lack of knowledge can lead to unfounded fears and apprehension, and bipolar disorder is a particularly good example of this. Whether you suffer from this condition yourself or know someone who does, the best way to find out more about how this condition can affect daily life is to take advantage of the many bipolar support groups that exist. These groups give out information and advice to sufferers and their families. Bipolar support groups can be a real lifeline for sufferers, who often feel very alone in trying to cope with the issues their condition brings up on a daily basis. Bipolar support groups can be found in the majority of towns and cities. The first port of call if you are trying to find a group close to you should be your local doctor’s surgery. Many surgeries have leaflets advising of support groups for people with various ailments. You can also search online for groups. If it isn’t possible to attend a group nearby you may be able to enrol in an online support forum, where sufferers worldwide can share their experiences.

What Can You Expect From Bipolar Support Groups?

Bipolar support groups are enormously beneficial for bipolar sufferers as they provide a way to get an insight into how other people are coping with their condition. Some people may live well adjusted lives; others may be having problems adjusting to a new type of medication. Some may be newly diagnosed, while others could have lived with their condition for many years.

Virtually everyone will benefit from regularly attending bipolar support groups for this very reason. Bipolar disorder is really a broad term – not every sufferer will experience symptoms in exactly the same way. Every person’s journey from diagnosis to acceptance is different, and talking with other sufferers and sharing in their experiences can help enormously when trying to understand how bipolar disorder affects lives.

Bipolar Support Groups for Families of Sufferers

As with many conditions there are bipolar support groups which are specifically aimed at the family and friends of bipolar disorder patients. Quite often there is a total lack of knowledge about what causes the sometimes alarming symptoms that are indicative of bipolar disorder. The mood swings sufferers experience can profoundly affect relatives as well as the patients themselves. Bipolar support groups perform a vital role in the lives of many people. They remind patients and their families they are not alone, and they can and do make a difference to many lives.

We certainly hope you’ve found this information useful. Please make sure and check back often as new information is always being added.

Copyright 2007 www.bipolar-health.com. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact legal@bipolar-health.com so we can take legal action immediately.

Tags: bipolar disease, bipolar disorder, bipolar support groups, bipolar symptoms, bipolar depression

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 ¤ Bipolar Disorder ¤

Learn How You Can Make Money from Sites Just Like This One!