I have something really sad to tell you. Well, I was talking to someone who works for me and a relative was killed because of their anger and bipolar disorder.
Basically this person went off his bipolar medications and then was driving around really fast.He was really manic, angry and acting completely irrational. Well the police pulled him over. He was super mad and reach in his pocket (everyone knows not to do this, everyone who is in their right mind that is).
Well guess what the police did? They shot him dead. I have heard this happen so many times it's so sad. This reminded me about how people forget how serious bipolar disorder is. How bipolar disorder can make a person not in their right mind. I mean who would get pulled over and reach intheir pocket? By the way, he had no gun or weapon. He was just angry and acting completely irrational from what I was told.
Beware!
When you are dealing with someone who has bipolar disorder and is angry, manic, irrational, yelling, etc., they are not themselves and you have to be careful. They can do and say the most terrible things.I want to warn you about something I have said many times...
IF you have to call the police, make sure you tell the police the person has a mental illness. Tell them not to shoot the person. I am serious. Greet the police. Try to manage it all. Remember that when a person is in a bipolar episode (ie.when they are angry, yelling, screaming, etc), they COULD,and I repeat, COULD, NOT will do something to you bad.
Read the above line carefully.
For example, when my mom was really sick, she not only screamed and yelled at me but she threw a phone at me. She also spit on me. She also punched me. Seriously, there were times, if there was a knife around, I am sure she could have stabbed me out of anger. The odd thing is, she doesn't even remember any of this.She wasn't herself at all.I really didn't know any of what I teach in my report when I first started with my mom so I didn't know how to handle and deal with these situations. But, I wanted to pass this critical information over to you today.
Why? Well I have known many people on my list that have been hit,attacked, stabbed, etc, from someone who has bipolar disorder who is in a bipolar episode. Now I know I am going to get a ton of hate mail and angry people saying that I am over generalizing all people with bipolar. I am not doing this, I am saying some who are in bipolar episodes, NOT ALL. If you have bipolar and you are mad at me writing this, it's the same thinking as telling someone who is in a bad area to be careful because bad things COULD happen. You aren't telling them they will just that it could. It's my job to inform. So I hope you understand. But I know some won't and I will get super hateful emails later on tonight.
David Oliver (Bipolar Central)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II disorder is typically defined as rapid mood cycling with episodes of hypomania and
depression. Bipolar II disorder does not occur with psychotic or hallucinating symptoms. Additionally, hypomania is defined as a milder form of mania, in which the patient has a period of heightened happiness or elation. Depression with bipolar II patients is often more severe than in patients with bipolar I disorder. Suicide, suicide threats, suicide attempts, and thoughts of suicide are much more common in bipolar II patients than bipolar I patients.A diagnosis of bipolar II disorder is typically made when the patient has had one or more major depressive episodes, at least one hypomania episode, no manic episodes, and when no other reason for symptoms can be found. Symptoms of depression with bipolar II disorder include decreased energy, unexplained weight changes, feelings of despair, increased irritability, and uncontrollable crying. Symptoms of chinese medicine include sleeplessness, racing thoughts, distractibility, excess energy, and rash judgements. These symptoms are similar to mania, but are less severe.
Treatment of bipolar II disorder typically involves a combination of medication and therapy or counselling. Medications typically prescribed for treatment of bipolar include anti-depressants such as Celexa, as well as mood stabilizers such as Topomax. Mood stabilizers are vitally important in treatment of bipolar disorders, because antidepressants alone can cause the patient to enter into a manic or hypomania episode.
Bipolar II disorder is actually often misdiagnosed as clinical depression. This is due to the fact that depression is most often present, and hypomania episodes rarely come to light in therapy sessions due to their upbeat nature. It is typically through treatment by antidepressants that the correct diagnosis because the patient will spin into a hypomania episode almost immediately if the diagnosis should be bipolar II disorder rather than clinical depression.Counselling or therapy treatment options for bipolar II disorder may include traditional counselling methods, discussion of triggers and life style changes that can lessen the of episodes, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Patients with a mild case of bipolar II disorder may benefit from counselling or therapy alone without medication. However, this is less common with bipolar II disorder than with bipolar I disorder, due to the nature of the severity of the depressive states.
depression. Bipolar II disorder does not occur with psychotic or hallucinating symptoms. Additionally, hypomania is defined as a milder form of mania, in which the patient has a period of heightened happiness or elation. Depression with bipolar II patients is often more severe than in patients with bipolar I disorder. Suicide, suicide threats, suicide attempts, and thoughts of suicide are much more common in bipolar II patients than bipolar I patients.A diagnosis of bipolar II disorder is typically made when the patient has had one or more major depressive episodes, at least one hypomania episode, no manic episodes, and when no other reason for symptoms can be found. Symptoms of depression with bipolar II disorder include decreased energy, unexplained weight changes, feelings of despair, increased irritability, and uncontrollable crying. Symptoms of chinese medicine include sleeplessness, racing thoughts, distractibility, excess energy, and rash judgements. These symptoms are similar to mania, but are less severe.
Treatment of bipolar II disorder typically involves a combination of medication and therapy or counselling. Medications typically prescribed for treatment of bipolar include anti-depressants such as Celexa, as well as mood stabilizers such as Topomax. Mood stabilizers are vitally important in treatment of bipolar disorders, because antidepressants alone can cause the patient to enter into a manic or hypomania episode.
Bipolar II disorder is actually often misdiagnosed as clinical depression. This is due to the fact that depression is most often present, and hypomania episodes rarely come to light in therapy sessions due to their upbeat nature. It is typically through treatment by antidepressants that the correct diagnosis because the patient will spin into a hypomania episode almost immediately if the diagnosis should be bipolar II disorder rather than clinical depression.Counselling or therapy treatment options for bipolar II disorder may include traditional counselling methods, discussion of triggers and life style changes that can lessen the of episodes, and cognitive behavioural therapy. Patients with a mild case of bipolar II disorder may benefit from counselling or therapy alone without medication. However, this is less common with bipolar II disorder than with bipolar I disorder, due to the nature of the severity of the depressive states.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Depression Test
Answer Yes/No to each question as honestly as possible.
Jawab Ya/Tidak setiap soalan ini secara jujur.
1. Do you feel sad/irritable?
1. Adakah anda merasa sedih/terganggu?
2. Have you lost interests in activities once enjoyed?
2. Adakah anda telah hilang minat pada aktiviti yang anda pernah sukai?
3. Have you experienced changes in weight/appetite?
3. Adakah anda mengalami perubahan berat badan/selera makan?
4. Have you experience changes in sleeping pattern?
4. Adakah anda mengalami perubahan corak tidur? (kurang tidur/terlebih tidur)
5. Do you have feelings of guilt?
5. Adakah anda merasa bersalah?
6. Are you unable to concentrate, remember things or make easy decision?
6. Adakah anda merasa sukar untuk memberikan tumpuan, mengingati sesuatu atau membuat keputusan yang mudah?
7. Have you experienced fatigue or loss of energy?
7. Adakah anda merasa lesu atau kurang bertenaga?
8. Have you experience restlessness or decreased activities noticed by others?
8. Adakah anda merasa resah gelisah atau mengurangkan aktiviti dan diketahui oleh orang lain?
9. Do you feel worthless or hopeless?
9. Adakah anda merasa tidak berharga atau tiada harapan?
10. Have you had thoughts of suicide or death?
10. Adakah anda pernah terfikir untuk membunuh diri atau kematian?
If your answer is 5 or more YES - you suffer from clinical depression.
Jika anda menjawab 5 atau lebih YA - anda mengalami kemurungan klinikal.
This guide should be used as a tool to start your communication with your doctor.
Panduan ini boleh digunakan untuk memulakan perbualan anda dengan doktor anda.
Jawab Ya/Tidak setiap soalan ini secara jujur.
1. Do you feel sad/irritable?
1. Adakah anda merasa sedih/terganggu?
2. Have you lost interests in activities once enjoyed?
2. Adakah anda telah hilang minat pada aktiviti yang anda pernah sukai?
3. Have you experienced changes in weight/appetite?
3. Adakah anda mengalami perubahan berat badan/selera makan?
4. Have you experience changes in sleeping pattern?
4. Adakah anda mengalami perubahan corak tidur? (kurang tidur/terlebih tidur)
5. Do you have feelings of guilt?
5. Adakah anda merasa bersalah?
6. Are you unable to concentrate, remember things or make easy decision?
6. Adakah anda merasa sukar untuk memberikan tumpuan, mengingati sesuatu atau membuat keputusan yang mudah?
7. Have you experienced fatigue or loss of energy?
7. Adakah anda merasa lesu atau kurang bertenaga?
8. Have you experience restlessness or decreased activities noticed by others?
8. Adakah anda merasa resah gelisah atau mengurangkan aktiviti dan diketahui oleh orang lain?
9. Do you feel worthless or hopeless?
9. Adakah anda merasa tidak berharga atau tiada harapan?
10. Have you had thoughts of suicide or death?
10. Adakah anda pernah terfikir untuk membunuh diri atau kematian?
If your answer is 5 or more YES - you suffer from clinical depression.
Jika anda menjawab 5 atau lebih YA - anda mengalami kemurungan klinikal.
This guide should be used as a tool to start your communication with your doctor.
Panduan ini boleh digunakan untuk memulakan perbualan anda dengan doktor anda.
NUTRIENTS FOR STRESS
Multivitamins are a good all-round mood and mind enhancer
People who are under excessive stress need to have an increase in the B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium, selenium and vitamin E.
The B Vitamins: Stress Relief Vitamins
- Provide greatest benefit when they are supplemented as a balanced B-complex
- Associated primarily with the nervous system function and brain activities such as good moods, thinking and memory
B1 (Thiamin)
– helps in nervous system function, reverse fuzzy thinking
– release energy from carbohydrates
– symptoms of deficiency include confusion, loss of balance, weakness and heart damage
– food sources include beans, peas, nuts, seeds and whole grains
B2 (Riboflavin)
- converting proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy
- deficiency lead to adrenal cortex dysfunction
- found in most vegetables, nuts, legumes and leafy greens
- helpful in reducing migraine headaches
B3 (Niacin)
- important for normal mental function
- release of energy from foods
- low levels lead to anxiety, depression, apprehension, emotional instability, hyperirritability and memory impairment
- food sources include bran, nuts, seeds, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, almonds and peas
B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- a vital role in the production of adrenal hormones
- deficiency lead to a decreased resistance to stress
- found in salmon, yeast, vegetables, dairy, eggs, grains and meat
B6
- vital for the utilization of amino acids; the building blocks for proteins
- deficiency is marked by depression, irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, dermatitis, slow learning, numbness and cramping in the extremities
- required by nervous system
- needed for normal brain function to produce dopamine, serotonin and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid); neurotransmitters for promoting feelings of well-being, relaxation and calmness
- especially important for women experiencing bouts of depression, irritability, moodiness, fatigue and decreased sex drive
- food sources include lentils, lima beans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, bananas, avocados, buckwheat and brewer’s yeast
B12
- deficiency associated with depression, dementia, heart disease, low energy, poor memory, problems in thinking, low stomach acid and elevated homocysteine levels
- found in liver, trout, salmon and beef
Folic acid
- needed for DNA synthesis
- low folate levels were more likely to have melancholic depression
- symptoms of deficiency include irritability, weakness, forgetfulness, megaloblastic, anemia, weight loss, apathy, hostility, paranoid behaviour, palpitations, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhea
- good sources are dark green leafy vegetables, oranges, most fruits, brown rice, beans, asparagus, soybeans and brewer’s yeast
Vitamin C
- to ease irritability and fatigue
- brain levels are significantly higher than levels in the blood
- needed to make certain neurotransmitters
- take the non-acidic form if you have stomach upset
Magnesium
- involved in the activation of more than three hundred different enzymes
- vital to health
- symptoms of deficiency include muscle cramps, muscle spasms, hyperventilation and weakness
- low levels increase a risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia, kidney stones, multiple sclerosis, headaches and menstrual cramps
- sources include wheat bran, wheat germ, nuts, blackstrap molasses, legumes and whole grains
- necessary for sustaining bone density and cellular metabolism related to digestion, adrenal function and liver function
People who are under excessive stress need to have an increase in the B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium, selenium and vitamin E.
The B Vitamins: Stress Relief Vitamins
- Provide greatest benefit when they are supplemented as a balanced B-complex
- Associated primarily with the nervous system function and brain activities such as good moods, thinking and memory
B1 (Thiamin)
– helps in nervous system function, reverse fuzzy thinking
– release energy from carbohydrates
– symptoms of deficiency include confusion, loss of balance, weakness and heart damage
– food sources include beans, peas, nuts, seeds and whole grains
B2 (Riboflavin)
- converting proteins, fats and carbohydrates into energy
- deficiency lead to adrenal cortex dysfunction
- found in most vegetables, nuts, legumes and leafy greens
- helpful in reducing migraine headaches
B3 (Niacin)
- important for normal mental function
- release of energy from foods
- low levels lead to anxiety, depression, apprehension, emotional instability, hyperirritability and memory impairment
- food sources include bran, nuts, seeds, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, almonds and peas
B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- a vital role in the production of adrenal hormones
- deficiency lead to a decreased resistance to stress
- found in salmon, yeast, vegetables, dairy, eggs, grains and meat
B6
- vital for the utilization of amino acids; the building blocks for proteins
- deficiency is marked by depression, irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, dermatitis, slow learning, numbness and cramping in the extremities
- required by nervous system
- needed for normal brain function to produce dopamine, serotonin and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid); neurotransmitters for promoting feelings of well-being, relaxation and calmness
- especially important for women experiencing bouts of depression, irritability, moodiness, fatigue and decreased sex drive
- food sources include lentils, lima beans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, bananas, avocados, buckwheat and brewer’s yeast
B12
- deficiency associated with depression, dementia, heart disease, low energy, poor memory, problems in thinking, low stomach acid and elevated homocysteine levels
- found in liver, trout, salmon and beef
Folic acid
- needed for DNA synthesis
- low folate levels were more likely to have melancholic depression
- symptoms of deficiency include irritability, weakness, forgetfulness, megaloblastic, anemia, weight loss, apathy, hostility, paranoid behaviour, palpitations, headaches, gastrointestinal disturbances and diarrhea
- good sources are dark green leafy vegetables, oranges, most fruits, brown rice, beans, asparagus, soybeans and brewer’s yeast
Vitamin C
- to ease irritability and fatigue
- brain levels are significantly higher than levels in the blood
- needed to make certain neurotransmitters
- take the non-acidic form if you have stomach upset
Magnesium
- involved in the activation of more than three hundred different enzymes
- vital to health
- symptoms of deficiency include muscle cramps, muscle spasms, hyperventilation and weakness
- low levels increase a risk for developing high blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia, kidney stones, multiple sclerosis, headaches and menstrual cramps
- sources include wheat bran, wheat germ, nuts, blackstrap molasses, legumes and whole grains
- necessary for sustaining bone density and cellular metabolism related to digestion, adrenal function and liver function
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