Brief Introduction to Bipolar disorder
This article gives a brief overview of Bipolar Disorder, a, find out more about Bipolar Disorder at our Public Health Information Session 'Bipolar & Depression' 7:00pm 30th June 2015.
History of Bipolar Disorder
Whilst manic and depressed moods have been observed throughout human history, it was not until the mid-19th century that researchers slowly started putting together the bipolar puzzle. Jules Baillarger, a French neurologist, described a biphasic mental illness that saw sufferers move between periods of mania and depression; he called this condition folie à double forme or dual form insanity. Meanwhile in Germany, Emil Kraepelin coined the term ‘Manic Depressive Psychosis’, describing how untreated bipolar patients displayed periods of acute depression or mania, followed by periods of mostly symptom-free normality. It wasn’t until the 1950s, when German psychiatrists Karl Kleist and Karl Leonhard, coined the term ‘Bipolar’ as a sub-classification of manic-depressive reactions.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder currently has four disorders along the Bipolar Disorder Spectrum, they are:
- Bipolar 1 Disorder
Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by at least one manic or mixed episode and usually involves extreme/more severe mood episodes, ranging between manic and depressive episodes. Psychotic episodes may also be present. - Bipolar 2 Disorders
Bipolar 2 Disorder is characterized by the presence of at least one major depressive episode and at least one episode of hypomania (a milder version of mania). - Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder is a bipolar disorder describing hypomanic episodes with brief periods of less severe/long lasting depression. - Bipolar Disorders not otherwise specified
Bipolar Disorders not otherwise specified is a condition which does not fall neatly into the above 3 conditions, but still has some symptoms of the Bipolar Disorder (mania and/or depressed episodes).
Bipolar Disorder’s High or Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are periods characterized by elevated and/or irritated moods. These periods are the manic ‘highs’ of bipolar disorder and usually last from a couple of days to a week. Whilst in one of these manic episodes, a person may feel a sense of euphoria and boundless energy. This is further expressed through their rapid speech, racing thoughts and their lack of a desire to sleep. Other common elements of manic episodes include the sufferer being less concerned with what others think of them and the engagement of inappropriate or risky behaviours. Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking & speech are also possible during a manic episode.
The experiences of a manic episode can be quite scary for some sufferers, whilst others find them very enjoyable (as said before, they feel really high). The latter is a great concern, as sufferers are less likely to seek help, as they don’t feel that there is anything wrong.
Bipolar Disorder’s Lows or Depressive Episodes
The lows of Bipolar Disorder are the depressive episodes; and as the name suggests, they are quite unpleasant. Whilst in a depressive episode, a person may have feelings of lowered mood; such as irritability, sadness, and tearfulness. They may experience a loss of interest in otherwise enjoyable activities and have lowered motivation and energy. Changes in a person’s appetite, weight and sleeping patterns; also occur. They may also have feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and have issues with concentration & memory. Thoughts about suicide are also not uncommon whilst in a depressive episode.
This has been a brief introduction to Bipolar Disorder, a condition that affects 51 million people worldwide, and over 285,000 Australians. If you found this interesting and you want to learn more, then be sure to purchase your ticket for our Bipolar and Depression Seminar; hosted on 30th June 2015 at 7:00pm.
Clinical Director, Anneke Bull is providing an in-depth presentation about Bipolar and Depression. Anneke Bull spent over 30 years working in the public mental healthcare system and she has seen it all.
So if you are interested in learning more about the interesting world of Bipolar and Depression, then you won’t want to miss out on this presentation.
Carrie Fisher - Actress, Author, Bipolar Disorder
Carrie Fisher is a talented actress who will always be remembered as Princess Leia from the Star Wars. While her fans saw her as an intergalatic princess taking on the likes of Vader, for Carrie Fisher, he battle between the light & dark side came in the form of Bipolar Disorder. Learn More...
Carrie Fisher is a talented actress who has played many parts since she first starred opposite Warren Beatty in Shampoo.
For many people, however, she was and always will be Princess Leia from the Star Wars franchise that made such a big hit in the 1970's.
While her fans see her as an intergalactic princess who is capable of taking on anything that comes her way, for much of her life Carrie Fisher has struggled with bipolar disorder.
Some of Fisher's other big hits in cinema include Austin Powers, The Blues Brothers, and When Harry Met Sally. She also revealed her talent as an author when she published Postcard from the Edge in 1987. Since then she has written three more books, Surrender the Pink, Delusions of Grandma, and Wishful Drinking. The last was most recently turned into a one woman play that Fisher says she still hasn't been able to watch, even though she knows that living it was tougher.
Carrie Fisher was originally diagnosed as an alcoholic and a drug addict. She went into rehab, but while the others in her group showed improvement, her condition only got worse as she sobered up. But while Fisher says that her drinking was a problem, it was actually her solution to the problems caused by her bipolar disorder.
When unmedicated, Fisher reports that she tends to be more manic than depressive. She said that the mania would make her very impatient because she was moving faster than everyone around her. She told WebMD that she felt "out of step with the world" (1). She understands people who turn to drugs to escape their own mental disorders because she knows that sometimes you just do whatever it takes to escape how you're feeling at the moment.
Fisher doesn't like to think about how her illness has affected her career because it cannot be changed. She told the Herald-Tribune that the only thing you can do is "cross your fingers and hope you don't get gobsmacked by it in the middle of something."(2).
She still feels that there is a stigma attached to mental disorders, as well as some treatments associated with it. She openly discusses her shock treatment in her memoirs, which is particularly uncomfortable for most people. She has hope that the stigma is fading, more in some parts of the world than others, and that awareness is growing.
For those suffering from bipolar disorder, medication can make a big difference. There is no need to feel ashamed or to refuse treatment. Fisher is accepting her role as the poster child for this disorder by refusing to let it define her, which is important for anyone with the same condition to remember. Her advice for anyone who is afraid of pursuing their dreams because of their disorder is to "stay afraid, but do it anyways."(2).
There is always help available for those suffering from bipolar or any other mental illness. If you need help, contact AB Consultation & Counselling Services to speak to a caring counselor.