Education

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a brain disorder that results in extreme changes of mood, energy, and affects one’s ability to function.  Although research has greatly increased our understanding of why someone may develop bipolar disorder, there is no clear answer to the precise cause. 

There is evidence to suggest that bipolar disorder is the result of abnormalities in the way some of the nerve cells in our brain communicate with each other.  When there are problems in the functioning of these neurotransmitters, the communication system in the brain can be disrupted. 

The cause of bipolar disorder is not unlike other chronic illnesses.  For example, with heart disease a person may inherit the risk or predisposition to develop high blood pressure or heart disease. 

Scientists believe that bipolar disorder is the result of interplay between genetic and environmental factors.  Bipolar disorder may run in families, but not everyone who has a family history will develop the disorder.  Studies show that if a person has a family member with the illness, only 15 to 30% will eventually develop the illness. 

Many illnesses such as bipolar disorder can be managed effectively with a treatment plan and a willingness to accept the illness, which is often a very difficult thing to accomplish.

Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it can be professionally treated and managed.  More than 40% of patients with bipolar illness can expect full and complete recovery with proper management while 50% may expect a very marked reduction in symptoms. 

The Bipolar Disorder Society of BC feels that it is important to educate as many people as possible, especially youth, about the facts of mental illness because it is through  awareness that we are able to create open, comfortable conversations and ‘stomp out the stigma’ that prevents many people from seeking help or understanding.

FACTS

• The number of people that have bipolar disorder is more than 1%-2% of the total population of Canada.
• Proper medical treatment and good support enables people with bipolar disorder (more than 75%) to maintain gainful employment.
• Bipolar disorder does not discriminate amongst gender or ethnicity. 
• The average age of the onset for bipolar disorder is late teens to early twenties.
• Distressed with extreme mood swings of emotion, people can turn to drugs and alcohol to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, only to add further pain to their lives – and troubling consequences.  Research has shown that up to 60% of people with bipolar disorder are vulnerable to having substance abuse problems, if not treated effectively.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of mania include:

• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Common signs of depression:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
• Irritability
• Inability to experience pleasure
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Physical and mental sluggishness

• Appetite or weight changes
• Sleep problems
• Concentration and memory problems
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Thoughts of death or suicide