5 tips to coping with bipolar disorder
by John Mancini
Bipolar
disorder is the medical name for manic-depressive illness and doesn't
just effect sufferers but can have a serious effect on family members
and friends. Early diagnosis can be a big factor in the effective
combating or this serious mental illness and without diagnosis it can
become much more serious possibly leading to suicide. Bipolar disorder
effects over 2 million American adults every year so it is by no means
a rare disorder and doctors and psychiatrists alike are on hand to help
you or your family member or friend through it. If you think someone
you know is suffering from bipolar disorder the best thing you can do
for them is to take them to see their doctor.
1- Long
term preventative treatment is likely to be required because bipolar
disorder is a recurrent illness. Stopping the medication or
psychological treatment received can cause a regression to the mood
swings associated with the disease.
2- If
you or someone you know has a bipolar disease then it is recommended
that you see a psychiatrist and not your general physician although
your GP can refer you to a specialist in the field that will be in the
best position to offer you the help, support and information you need
to beat it.
3- There
are medications known as mood stabilizers available and a person who
suffers from bipolar disorder is likely to be prescribed these by their
psychiatrist. They will normally have to take these for the rest of
their lives because bipolar disease is recurrent. Sometimes other drugs
are combined with mood stabilizers but this will probably only be over
a short period of time.
4-
Therapy should be combined with medication and can be attended in one
on one sessions or at group therapy classes. by talking to somebody who
understands the patient's problems the support can often lead to a very
desirable outcome. Consult your psychiatrist about where to go to
attend these group talks.
5-
Always be prepared for the worst. Don't forget that bipolar disease
will mean constant ups and downs and many patients try to commit
suicide because they see it as their only way out. Be prepared and
always be ready to call 911 if you think this is going to be the case.
Don't be afraid that you will be wasting their time if your family
member or friend is just having a down day because if you don't ring
the consequences could be a lot worse.
John
Mancini has been writing about Bipolar Disorder online and offline for
a long time. Visit http://bipolar-disorder-expert.com or
http://bipolar-disorder-net.info to read more about matters like famous
people with bipolar disorder and bipolar disorder symptoms.
I am a
journalist by profession. Now i work from home as a freelancer. I live
in Quebec.
