Posts
First off there is a new post over here:https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/01/its-hodgepodge-day.html
Now today's post
Good morning, all this week we are having a brief look at bipolar disorder, a condition I expect most have heard of but how many know anything about it, I know bugga all.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme
shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. It is also known as
manic-depressive illness or manic depression. It usually requires lifelong
treatment and does not go away on its own.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but a
combination of factors may contribute to its onset and how it progresses.
These include genetics as it often runs in families, the way a person’s
brain functions as well as its structure as people with the disorder may have a
different structure to those without it. The chemicals in our brains are
involved in psychiatric disorders as an abnormal functioning of brain circuits
that involve serotonin may contribute to bipolar disorder.
Of course, drinking alcohol or using some recreational drugs are
believed to increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder.
Then there are environmental factors meaning things that are
considered an adverse or life-altering event, such as bereavement, violence, or
the breakdown of a relationship, can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.
The condition has many symptoms that include the following
- Overwhelming
sadness
- Low
energy and fatigue
- Lack
of motivation
- Feelings
of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Difficulty
concentrating and making decisions
- Uncontrollable
crying
- Thoughts
of death or suicide
Treatment includes medication such as mood stabilising drugs,
antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, psychological therapy and some
lifestyle changes may be called for.
This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment and is
complicated and often will involve many assessments sometimes with different
doctors in order to be diagnosed. There are no blood tests that will diagnose
it, nor is there any medical or brain scans that will make a diagnosis easy.
I had it to a minor level- getting active, especially in my faith, made it a non-issue. I did try St John's Wort for a while, but that removes emotions altogether, and you smell it in your sweat.
ReplyDeleteI have a nephew and a niece who have it but these are not people I see so don't know anything about it
DeleteGot to be devastating for the person and their loved ones to deal with.
ReplyDeleteYes it must be
DeleteI have a good friend with this disorder. Luckily she has good doctors and meds to help her cope. You wouldn't know if you didn't know.
ReplyDeleteThat is good, it is amazing what the right medication can do for someone
DeleteIt is a terrible condition to have, Jo-Anne. May those who are diagnosed with this disorder get the help they need. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYes I agree as the right treatment can change their lives
DeleteI have to confess that this sounds like me. I have tried different drugs from doctors but I always have side effects. It's not easy living this way but I'm trying my best. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is hard for many to get the right meds, as well as other treatments, side effects can make the treatment worse then the condition at times
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