Saturday, March 14, 2009

What Bipolar Mania Is

By Ken P Doyle

You were introduced to a new member in your theater actors guild by your friends. Her energy and extraordinary happiness easily caught everybodys attention. Everyone was raring to go back home that night after practice had ended. However, you were surprisingly invited to go to the disco with your new found friend but you decline the offer and gave her your home number instead. Later that night, you were awoken to a call and heard her sobbing on the phone while ranting about how miserable her life is and how she wanted to end it at that very moment. No one would ever want to be in this horrific situation. However, what you just read is a reality of a brain disorder known as bipolar mania or manic-depressive illness.

All about Bipolar Mania

Characterized by manic as well as depressive episodes is the biological disorder, bipolar mania. A person with bipolar disorder shows symptoms of extreme exhilaration at one moment than severe depression the next. Particularly, manic signs and symptoms include amplified energy, poor judgment, restiveness, disturbing behavior and a reduced need for sleep. On the other hand, the depressive state is recognized by feelings of hopelessness, intense grief and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities among others. An alarming fact of bipolar is that an individual may resort to suicide if it goes unattended.

Statistics have shown that bipolar mania is affecting a major number of individuals in the United States. Millions of her total population have been recorded to be affected with bipolar mania. Everybody wishes that it would not happen to themselves or their loved ones but if it somehow does, they must get ready with all the vital information especially on how to get the best hep available.

Bipolar Treatment

Even if bipolar mania is a long-term challenge, the condition can be treated through a combination of approaches. One is through the medical method. The medications available for this condition are termed as mood stabilizers. The most common is Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) while others are prescribed with anticonvulsant medicines such as valproate (Depakote) or carbamazepine (Tegretol). In addition, individuals with bipolar mania also see mental health professionals for cognitive or behavioral psychotherapy. Lastly, psychosocial approaches to bipolar mania are deemed important to recovery as it involves family therapy, psycho education, and interpersonal therapy.

Bipolar Support Groups

On the other hand, no medical or psychological approach is successful if its not used in conjunction with other methods. Joining bipolar support groups is an invaluable resource for an individual with bipolar mania. Bipolar support groups are very educational because various discussions about the disorder are made at length. More than the information though is the sharing of true-to-life experiences that makes the group relate well to each other.

Being part of a support group offers a warm environment where a person doesnt have to feel alone and alienated from others. Furthermore, bipolar support groups provide an opportunity to openly talk about the hardships and the pains while gaining acceptance from others. Together, the group can brainstorm about local resources and how to get government support.

Bipolar Mania Prognosis

Its important that a person with bipolar mania can or can not cope with the disorder. The real question though is whether they get into a bipolar support group which will see them through the process. This is the real determinant which has treatment value. Individuals with bipolar mania are on their way to a fully-functioning life with the right kind of help from the right kind of people.

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