Your Guide to Bipolar Disorder

Transcription

1 Your Guide to Bipolar Disorder For further information on bipolar disorder, visit Supporting the 1 in 100 with bipolar SUPPORTED BY LU1/12/12

2 Introduction This booklet aims to give guidance and helpful information about the condition, bipolar disorder. It is written for adults and adolescents with bipolar disorder and may also be useful for families, carers or those with an interest in the condition. The advice in this booklet covers: What to expect from having bipolar disorder Questions to ask your healthcare professional about the management and treatment of bipolar disorder Services available if in crisis How to self-manage the condition safely How families and carers can support people with bipolar A list of organisations for further information and support What is bipolar disorder? Supporting the 1 in 100 with bipolar Bipolar disorder (often called manic-depression ) is a disorder of the brain characterised by unusual shifts between extreme episodes of high and low moods. High mood episodes are referred to as mania and low mood episodes are known as depression. In teenagers and young adults, mood swings are a part of everyday life which most people are able to overcome easily with the support of their family and friends. However, the mood shifts associated with bipolar disorder are much more intense and of much longer duration. The mood changes associated with the condition cannot be easily overcome and have a significant impact on a person s everyday life, often affecting their ability to work, socialise and maintain relationships. The average age for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in Ireland is 34.5 years, however symptoms of the condition can start at any time during, or after, young adulthood. The condition affects approximately 1 in every 100 adults in Ireland and affects men and women equally. 1

3 If you are concerned that a friend or family member may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional. Getting help and support as soon as possible is very important. What are the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder? Within bipolar disorder there are four basic types: 1. Bipolar I Disorder is mainly defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, the person also has depressive episodes, typically lasting at least two weeks. The symptoms of mania or depression must be a major change from the person s normal behaviour in order for bipolar I disorder to be diagnosed. 2. Bipolar II Disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes. 3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS) is diagnosed when a person has symptoms of the illness that do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar I or II. The symptoms may not last long enough, or the person may have too few symptoms, to be diagnosed with bipolar I or II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person s normal range of behaviour. A high mood, known as mania, involves feelings of elation. Symptoms may include: Poor judgement Impulsive behaviour such as spending sprees Too much energy and little need for sleep Uncharacteristic anger or irritability Unrealistic beliefs in one s own abilities Increased interest in pleasurable activities A low mood involves feelings of intense depression and despair. Symptoms of depression may include: Feelings of immense sadness, anxiousness and/or worthlessness Loss of interest in things that were previously enjoyable Changes in eating and sleeping habits Chronic body aches or pains with no discernible cause Poor concentration and decision making If you recognise these symptoms either in yourself or someone close to you, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional as soon as possible. MANIA IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRES RAPID TREATMENT. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Elated, happy mood or irritable, agitated, mood Increased physical and mental activity and energy 4. Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia, is a mild form of bipolar disorder. People who have cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania that shift back and forth with mild depression for at least two years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder. Racing and increased speech, thoughts and flight of ideas Impulsiveness or poor judgement; reckless behaviour Feelings of invincibility; risk-taking Decreased sleep without experiencing fatigue 2 3

4 What can someone with bipolar disorder expect? Bipolar disorder usually lasts a lifetime but it can be effectively managed with the right treatment. Between episodes, people with bipolar disorder are usually symptom free but some people may have lingering symptoms. In either case, with correct treatment and support, most people are able to gain control of their mania and depression. Effective treatment plans may include medication and psychotherapy to prevent relapse and reduce symptom severity. Advice and treatment Seeking help for symptoms of bipolar disorder is no cause for worry. Approximately 40,000 people in Ireland are currently being treated for the condition that is approximately 1 in every 100 people in the country. Your healthcare professional is always on-hand to offer friendly advice and support. They can advise you on the best treatment pathway to suit you. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, or are concerned that a friend or family member may be, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional as soon as you can. Bipolar disorder tends to worsen if it isn t treated people may experience more frequent and more severe episodes than when the illness first appeared. It is also important to know that delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can make a person more likely to experience personal, social and work-related problems. 4 5

5 What can my GP do? If your GP thinks you may have bipolar disorder he/she may refer you to a specialist for treatment. If you have mania or severe depression, and they are concerned you may cause harm to yourself or to others, your GP will arrange for you to see a specialist immediately. If you are taking an antidepressant at the time that a manic episode starts, your doctor may stop this medication. At your first check-up, you may be asked by your doctor whether you smoke and how much alcohol you drink. You may also have blood tests, your blood pressure, weight and height checked. You may be asked to have other tests, such as a chest X-ray and an electrocardiogram (ECG). Your doctor should talk to you about the results and share this with other healthcare professionals involved in your care. These tests may need to be repeated if you have long-term treatment and you should have a yearly check-up. If you have had a manic episode or severe depression, your doctor should meet with you again within one week of your first assessment. After that, they should see you regularly every two to four weeks in the first three months and then at longer intervals if the treatment is helping. He/she can give you advice on what to expect as you undergo a particular treatment path, as well as general advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. What questions SHOULD I ask my healthcare professional about my treatment? What treatment will I need? What choices do I have about treatment? How long will I need treatment? How will having treatment for bipolar disorder affect my daily life and work (for example, can I drive or operate machinery)? To help yourself: Talk to your doctor about treatment options and your progress Keep a regular routine for example, eating meals at the same time every day and going to sleep at the same time every night Try to get enough sleep Stay on your medication Learn about the warning signs that signal a shift into depression or mania Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately. You can also give relevant people information about your condition. During a manic phase you may be quite unaware that your actions are distressing to other people. Later, you may feel guilty. It can be especially difficult if those around you seem afraid or hostile. It may help if you provide people with information about bipolar disorder so that they understand what things are like for you. 6 7

6 How can I help a loved-one with bipolar disorder? The friends and family of people with bipolar disorder are also impacted. The most important thing you can do is help make sure they get the right treatment and support. You may wish to go with them to the doctor and provide encouragement for them to stay on treatment. It s important that you get support to cope with your own feelings give yourself time away from the person you are caring for, and ask friends and relatives for help. Questions for families and carers to ask healthcare professionals If you are unsure about how you can help someone with bipolar disorder, you could ask some of these questions of your doctor: What can we do to help someone with bipolar disorder? Where can we get extra support? I feel stressed and I m not sleeping well. Can you give me advice on how I can cope with this? Are there any ways we can reduce stress while trying to live a relatively normal life? How can we help our children cope with living with someone with bipolar disorder? Can our child s school get help and advice on dealing with the effects of their bipolar disorder? Learning as much as possible about bipolar disorder can help you to cope. Sometimes, people with bipolar experience suicidal feelings. If the person you are caring for feels like this, you might find it useful to contact a support organisation, such as Aware or the Samaritans. What if I am, or someone I know, is in crisis and need someone to talk to? There is nothing wrong with getting help for your mental health. Everyone needs help from time to time and you should not be embarrassed to ask for it. In fact, asking for help is a sign of personal strength. Below is a suggested list of organisations and people that are trained to help: Call the Samaritans, the 24-hour listening service, to talk to someone now about what s on your mind. Call Contact your local doctor, listed under General Practitioners in the Golden Pages, or find your nearest GP on the Map Centre If it s late in the evening or night time, contact a GP Out of Hours Service which you will find listed on Go to, or contact, the Emergency Department of your nearest general hospital, which you can also find on the Map Centre Contact emergency services by calling 999 or 112 Information on where to go for help in a crisis is now available through your mobile phone. Text the word HeadsUp to The HeadsUp text service is run by RehabCare and sponsored by Meteor. (source: National Office for Suicide Prevention) 8 9

7 HSE Mental Health Services Nationwide The HSE provides a wide range of mental health services around the country, in the community and in hospitals. On the main HSE.ie website Mental Health Section, you can read more about Mental Health services - like details of the types and range of services provided, the health professionals who provide them, and other topics like counselling and suicide prevention. You can also find contact details for Mental Health Services nationwide. This is not a comprehensive list of voluntary support services. Local HSE Health Offices will be able to provide a more detailed guide to support services available in each region. (source: National Office for Suicide Prevention) Where can I get further information? Shine Supporting people affected by mental health 38 Blessington Street, Dublin 7 Tel: info@shineonline.ie Aware supporting people with depression or bipolar disorder 72 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2 Tel: info@aware.ie Mental Health Ireland supporting positive mental health Mensana House, 6 Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Tel: info@mentalhealthireland.ie Pieta House provides a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or who participate in self-harming behaviours Tel: mary@pieta.ie Headstrong The national centre for youth mental health 16 Westland Square, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Tel: info@headstrong.ie Citizens Information information on public services & entitlements Tel:

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