Bipolar Disorder is a Biological Severe Mental Illness

Bipolar Disorder is a biological severe mental illness.

This illness is hereditary and usually one or more disabled family
members go undiagnosed or diagnosed with other mental or physical
health issues.
It is vital that all family members notify their own personal physicians that Bipolar Disorder is contained within the family.

Bipolar Disorder became my life at the age of 43. I had lived an
abundant life without the slightest idea I had a mental health issue to
facilitate. I was gainfully employed my entire life working in
professional situations from the time I graduated high school until the
age of 40.

I graduated with a 3.9 GPA all college prep courses. I am a
certified Paralegal and graduated with honors in PC Repair &
Maintenance.

I am very knowledgeable about countless subjects of interest. I am
extremely talented. If I need extra help - the public library and the
World Wide Web give me the information I need to help perform tasks
that come naturally.

Once diagnosed I attended classes at the guidance center 4 days a
week, had one on one sessions with a counselor, group therapy and
numerous discussions with my psychiatrist each time my meds' were
changed.

A support group is usually a friend, family member, or colleague in
crisis times of mania or depression. Continuing mental health
educational classes and group therapy are vital to the well being of a
bipolar recipient.

If you or a loved one diagnosed with Bipolar disorder it is vital to
follow a plan of action. This severe mental illness must be managed by
the diagnosed individual through continuing mental health classes,
group therapy, a full understanding of the prescribed drugs or meds'
combined with faith and a strong supporting family and friends.

I am Bipolar I. This disorder has unusual symptoms. One of the major
confusing effects of bipolar I is called rapid cycling'. This round of
psychological mood swings usually runs in 6-week intervals. Mania is
the diagnosing symptom of bipolar I.

Mania described in my own words as consistently talking, starting
more than one project and not finishing any of them within a certain
period. Most bipolar I patients do not get depressed unless wrong meds
are prescribed or the individual has discontinued his daily regimen of
prescribed because he/she feels fine. Depression can set in and
disappear within minutes, hours, weeks but usually ends abruptly. Then
the mania cycles back. I enjoy my periods of mania.


Bipolar II is a less invasive disorder except for the depression.
The depression of Bipolar II can go on for months at a time while the
doctor continues to change meds until finding one that seems to work.
All the while, the cycle of depression is over and changing the meds
was unnecessary.
Staying on my medication is Vital to my lifestyle. It is also
vital to my readers. Taking my at the same time every day, allows me to
focus and harness my excitable mind.

Living with Bipolar is your new career. Keep working hard, get a
handle on your meds, continue to visit group therapy and keep all
appointments with your physician.

Always have your support group and a crisis phone number listed where anyone can find it.

Bipolar Disorder is a biologically severe mental illness that is
treatable. The patient has the main responsibility of properly
following the doctor's recommendations and continuing mental health
classes throughout his/her life.

I hope this article will bring peace to the mind of anyone diagnosed
with a mental health issue and his or her family and friends.

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Bipolar Disorder - genetically transmitted throughout family members

'If a retrovirus inserts itself into the genes in the ovary (egg) or
testicles (sperm), it is conceivable that this virus can then be passed
down from generation to generation. Thus, a person could have been
infected by a bipolar-causing retrovirus in the late 1800's and passed
it down to all of their children, grandchildren, etc. The pieces of the
bipolar and infectious agent puzzle are not yet complete and further
research is necessary to clarify this aspect of bipolar disease.'
Immunology and Bipolar Disorder Rashmi Nemade, Ph.D. & Mark
Dombeck, Ph.D Copyright 2008 Reuters.

"Because it tends to run in families, scientists have been trying to
pinpoint genes involved in bipolar disorder. This was the largest
genetic analysis of its kind on the disease, which affects an estimated
1 percent to 3 percent of adults worldwide. The key importance of this
is that it gives us a clear idea of the sorts of chemicals and
mechanisms in the brain that are involved in bipolar disorder," Nick
Craddock of Britain's Cardiff University, who helped lead the study,
said in a telephone interview. Craddock said identifying the two gene
variants probably will not be helpful in determining an individual's
risk for the disorder because many who do not have the disease will
have the genes.

The U.S. government's National Institutes of Health
helped fund the research. Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the NIH's
National Institute of Mental Health, said the findings may help solve
the puzzle that is bipolar disorder.

"It's not going to tell us the whole story - it doesn't give you
the whole puzzle - but it's something to build on," Insel said in a
telephone interview. Will Dunham Sun., Aug. 17, 2008 Copyright 2008
Reuters.

Bipolar Disorder is a biological mental disease. Genetically linked
between family members and may be occurring throughout many
generations. Usually only one member of an immediate family is
diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Other family members may be reluctant
to admit their own symptoms, or will pass the symptoms on as a bad day.
It is necessary to begin the realization that Bipolar Disorder affects
other members of the family tree.

When Bipolar Disorder is diagnosed within your family tree, ask each
member to seek as much information about the diagnosis as possible.
Join forums, research the Internet, read as often as possible, and
always question any ongoing symptoms you may be experiencing with your
family physician.

Do not ignore treatment for Bipolar Disorder. Undiagnosed and untreated Bipolar Disorder is
very harmful to everyone's psychological well being. Self-medication of
Bipolar Disorder issues that are not treated include drug abuse,
alcoholism, cutting, stealing, verbal abuse of loved ones, forms of
physical violence, arguing or fighting with family and friends.
Self-medication may even lead to criminal behavior or suicidal thoughts
and/or actions.

Family members that exhibit symptoms of Bipolar Disorder should
immediately contact a professional clinician. If you suspect any family
member showing signs of any mental health issue, speak with all other
members of the immediate family and create a setting to discuss the
issue once you are prepared with research and facts. Get them to
discuss the issues with their family physician.

In a case where harm to themselves or any other person becomes a
threat, it is then an emergency and the local police need to become
involved. The police or local fire departments are trained to handle
emergency mental health problems that may arise. This would be a
tough-love situation, yet it would begin the well-deserved treatment
for the patient, and put an end to the self-medicating and begin the
true treatment of medication and therapy.

Help for any Mental Health Issue is available online at any of the
following websites: WebMd, Mentalhelp.net, NAMI-National Association of
Mental Illness, NIH-National Institutes of Health, your neighborhood Guidance Centers, and any hospital Emergency Room.

Remember, Mental Illness is a disease. One should never be
embarrassed to seek help or to realize that mental illnesses need
treatment just as physical illnesses.

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