Get reliable bipolar information

Get reliable bipolar information

Finding useful and relevant bipolar information can be challenging, but as a person suffering from the illness or as a relative or loved one, it is important to be able to understand the illness and its early warning signs.

With this information about bipolar and understanding the triggers and warning signs, an action plan can be developed, which in turn can help reduce the length and severity of an episode of the illness.

Some basic bipolar facts

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression or manic depressive disorder. It is a persistent illness that affects 2-3% of the population and involves extreme mood swings. There are two main classifications of bipolar-bipolar I and bipolar II.

Bipolar I – involves the extreme elevation of mood known as “mania” or manic behavior.

Bipolar II – involves the lesser mood elevation known as “hypomania,” which also includes bouts of depression. Bipolar I may or may not include episodes of depression, but Bipolar II always does.

The mood swings in people with bipolar disorder are different from the everyday mood swings in people who don't have the illness. The mood swings are much more extreme and can last from a few days to weeks. They are not specifically caused by an external event, e.g. B. a good exam result. However, stress such as lack of sleep can trigger an episode of illness.

The MoodSwings website contains helpful articles on all aspects of the disease written by healthcare professionals. It also offers an online self-help program with small bipolar disorder support groups, as well as support and strategies for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.

Inspired by Sue Lauder