What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. While the rate of bipolar disorder is the same among African Americans as it is among other Americans, African Americans are less likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment. Ethnic minorities with bipolar disorder are likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophreniaconduct disorder or antisocial behavior APA, Several factors have contributed to African Americans not receiving help for bipolar disorder and other mental options. Some of the reasons are: People with bipolar disorder experience intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode. Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleepand behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania. A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home. There is no cure for Bipolar Disorder. The best treatments for bipolar disorder focus on smoothing out the highs and lows in mood and energy. Additionally, treatment works best when it is ongoing, instead of on and off. Treatment options may include Medication Different types of medication can help. People respond to medications in different ways, so the type of medication depends on the patient. Sometimes a options needs to try different medications to see which are best. Medications can cause side effects. Patients should always tell their doctor about these problems. Stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous, and it options make bipolar symptoms worse. Different kinds of psychotherapyor "talk" therapy, can help people with bipolar disorder. Therapy can help them change their behavior and manage their lives. It can also help patients get along better with family and friends. There are several different psychotherapies that have promising results. Therapy has a lot of promise as a way of preventing progression of bipolar disorder, delaying relapse and improving functioning in between episodes. Some people do not get better with medication and therapy. These people may try "electroconvulsive therapy," or ECT. This is sometimes called "shock" therapy. ECT provides a quick "shock" that can sometimes correct problems in the brain. Sometimes people take herbal and natural supplements, such as St. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement. Many talented and productive people have successfully dealt with bipolar disorder, so a goal of treatment should not just be symptom reduction, but helping the person to make the most of their gifts and abilities. The APA Psychologist Locator and the SAMHSA are is two resources for help. You can follow Dr. Diagnosis Dictionary Talk To Someone Find A Therapist Listening to Jealousy If you can resist the urge to smash the china, feeling jealous can actually bring couples closer together Subscribe Issue Archive Customer Service Renew Give a Gift Experts by Topic Public Speakers Media Interviews All Experts Search form Search All Content Article Blog Blog Entry Collection Condition Magazine Issue Page Profile Self Test Topic Page Find a Therapist Therapists: Log In Sign Up Erlanger A Turner Ph. D The Race to Good Health SHARE TWEET EMAIL MORE SHARE SHARE STUMBLE SHARE What is Bipolar Disorder? But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives Statistics Bipolar is about a third as common as depression and less than half as common as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Diagnosed in about 2. Some of the reasons are A mistrust of health professionals, based in part on historically higher-than-average institutionalization of African Americans with mental illness; and on previous mistreatments, like such tragic events as the Tuskegee syphilis study. Cultural barriers between many doctors and their patients. Reliance on family and religious community, rather than mental health professionals, during times of emotional distress. A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather than discuss mental symptoms, or to mask symptoms with substance abuse or other medical conditions. Socioeconomic factors which can limit access to medical and mental health care. Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental illness. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder People with bipolar disorder experience intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleepand behavior go along with these changes in mood. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder There is no cure for Bipolar Disorder. Stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous, and it can make bipolar symptoms worse Therapy. It can also help patients get along better with family and friends There are several different options that have promising results. Therapy has a lot of promise as a way of preventing progression of bipolar disorder, delaying relapse and improving functioning in between episodes Other Treatments. The APA Psychologist Locator and the SAMHSA are is two resources for help Copyright Erlanger A. D You can follow Dr.
We believe that together these efforts will increase awareness of the multiple determinants of health, promote engagement by a more diverse group of stakeholders, and stimulate development of models that promote evidence-based programs and policies — eventually leading to improved health outcomes and reduced health disparities.
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We believe that together these efforts will increase awareness of the multiple determinants of health, promote engagement by a more diverse group of stakeholders, and stimulate development of models that promote evidence-based programs and policies — eventually leading to improved health outcomes and reduced health disparities.
The night before, a local translator had come to my hotel room and asked me to join him for a beer.