FAQ: BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION)FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat follows are some of the questions we're most often asked at the Harbor of Refuge. Please keep in mind that everyone's situation is different. Never let a "bipolar label" overshadow who you are as an individual. However, while individual differences shouldn't be underestimated, it's also amazing the amount of common experiences people with bipolar illness share. It's hoped that these questions and answers will get at some of the basic information you may need as you begin to explore what bipolar illness means in your life. Do you have other questions (that would be of interest to a general audience) that you
think belong on this page? Please use the e-mail link at the bottom of the page to
submit them, and we'll do our best to answer them.
If you're asking the question, it is possible that you might be bipolar. If you are
experiencing any signs, call your doctor right away. The doctor will probably have you get
in touch with a good psychiatrist or psychologist. When you have your appointment be sure
to tell the doctor what all of your symptoms are. Don’t leave anything out. It
may not seem significant to you, but it may be to your psychiatrist. This will help you
in the screening process. Some of the signs that you may be bipolar are: one or more manic episodes which have persistent euphoria, irritability, insomnia, rapid thoughts, rapid speech, grandiosity, distractibility, accompanied by one or more major depressive episodes which are characterized by depression and loss of pleasure or indifference to most activities, usually lasting a minimum of two weeks. Manic Depression is an older term for what is now more commonly called Bipolar Disorder. There is no other difference in the meaning. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER. Simply put, you have a chemical imbalance that affects your brain. You are not crazy or losing your mind. The messages going through your brain get sidetracked and take a round about way to get where they belong. Unfortunately the chemical imbalance plays with your emotions, you can go from extremely depressed to manic and this can cause major complications in your life and the lives of the people you love. In the extreme, it can endanger your well-being and your life. The medications you take will take help you level out your emotions, and feel more in control. This is why it is important to take your medications religiously. This also means you
have joined Many people suffering with bipolar do think they are going crazy; this is because they
know how they should be feeling but don't know why they are feeling and thinking other
thoughts. It is frustrating and I AM EMBARRASSED. WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK? Many people choose not to tell their co-workers about this, because unfortunately there are people who do not understand what bipolar disorder is, and it may cause friction. People who love you, like family and friends, will probably know. They may notice you are acting more yourself lately after you have begun your medicine. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME TO TAKE MEDICINE. SHOULD I KEEP TAKING IT, OR CAN I STOP WHEN I START TO FEEL BETTER? We are all tempted to stop taking the medicine once we start to feel better. Unfortunately we end up back where we started. It takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks (and sometimes longer) to get the medicine working in your system. Call your doctor before you go off or take any more medication. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE MEDICINE TO START HELPING ME FEEL BETTER? The medicine is slow acting, it takes time to get into your system, and your body to adjust. It may take 2 - 6 weeks to get results. Hang in there, we have all been through it. Come and talk with us, you will find it will help. I WAS TOLD BY MY FAMILY DOCTOR TO SEE A PSYCHIATRIST. DOES HE REALLY THINK I AM LOSING IT, OR IS THIS PART OF MY TREATMENT? Your doctor is right to send you to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist specializes in these disorders, and knows how and what to prescribe. You are both doing the right thing. If your family doctor does offer to treat you, ask him for a referral to a psychiatrist. A Manic Episode is a distinct period of abnormal and persistent heightened or irritable mood. It lasts at least 1 week. It must be accompanied by at least 3 other symptoms ranging from inflated self esteem, pressured speech, rapid thoughts, distractibility, increased involvement in goal-directed activities, and psychomotor agitation, to excessive involvement with pleasurable activities with a high potential for painful consequences. The symptoms are severe enough to impair social or occupational functioning, and sometimes hospitalization is needed. You may be told you are a rapid cycler, or it might be you are in a chat and hear someone say they are rapid cycling. This is when a person will have a mood swing, but instead of the mood staying for a longer time, their mood swings back. Every person has a mood cycle. An average mood cycle is four or less in a year. It is a slow process. A rapid cycle can happen in a matter of a few hours, and cycle back again. Hypomanic Episodes are identical to Manic Episodes with the exception that it is not
sufficiently severe enough to cause extreme impairment in social or occupational
functions, and is not severe enough to require hospitalization. I WAS TOLD TO STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL. WHY? WHAT CAN HAPPEN? Alcohol is a drug. Mixing drugs can do a lot of damage. If you would like an occasional drink, talk to your doctor first. WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT CAFFEINE? Caffeine is another drug. It can counteract your medication, and make you feel
agitated. There are a lot of alternatives as well as decaffeinated drinks on the market.
Again you should check with your IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD NOT EAT OR DRINK? Drinking too much soda can throw you into a “sugar high.” Be aware how much sugar you are taking in. The high may feel good, but don’t forget you will come back down. I CAN'T SLEEP. WHAT DO I DO NOW? If you cannot sleep, it is best to call your doctor. S/he may prescribe something to help you get to sleep. There are a lot of non-habit forming sleep aids. Check in with your doctor from time to time. Some people only need sleep medication for a short period. Others need it longer. Do not self- medicate, if you plan to, make sure you have talked it over with your doctor first. When a person self medicates, it could be detrimental to her or his health. SOMETIMES I HAVE A HARD TIME NOT SPENDING MONEY. MY CREDIT CARDS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY BECAUSE OF MY SHOPPING SPREES. WHY DO I DO THIS? This can happen when a person is going through a manic episode. You will find that you are doing other "strange" things but the most obvious is the money. Many people pacify themselves in this way and may buy things they would not normally want, or they think that they deserve to splurge. Over-spending is a big problem for many bipolars, and it is good that someone cares enough to limit you. WHY DO I OCCASIONALLY THINK OF SUICIDE (EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I WILL PROBABLY NOT DO THAT)? Suicidal thoughts are not a threat to your health in and of themselves, but a big concern to you as the person having these thoughts. To a certain extent, having suicidal thoughts (also called "suicidal ideation") is a part of being bipolar. Don't kick yourself for having them. Having said that -- take these thoughts seriously. Given the
nature of this illness, people with bipolar disorder are at a much higher risk in terms of
suicide than other people. So err on the side of caution. If you find yourself
having persistent suicidal thoughts, or making a definite plan, get help immediately --
let your trusted loved ones know, and call your doctor and/or a local crisis intervention
helpline immediately.
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