What Is Bipolar Disorder?
This is a recurring disorder which affects a person's mood. There may be extreme mood changes for no obvious reason, with episodes of uncontrollable energy (mania, hypomania or "high") and episodes of depression ("low"), and/or mixed mood, and periods of stable mood.

Of course everyone has changes of mood, sometimes as a reaction to an event, but with bipolar disorder the changes of mood may come "out of the blue" and can be much more extreme.

The symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe; episodes may be frequent or few. Individual experiences will vary. Mania and depression can reach a level where a person loses touch with reality.

Manic / Depression Symptoms

During the manic phase a person may:

• Feel "on top of the world"
• Be over-confident
• Be restless and over-active and plan too many activities for a given time period
• Sleep less, without feeling tired
• Be easily irritated
• Have racing thoughts and talk on at a fast pace
• Lack judgement which may lead to reckless driving, sexual indiscretions, spending sprees
• Be easily drawn to give unusual attention to previously unimportant or irrelevant things
• Have false beliefs of self-importance, power or knowledge
• Have false beliefs of being controlled by someone or something

During the depressed stage a person may:

• Feel worthless, helpless, hopeless, guilty
• Lose all interest in people and enjoyable activities
• Lose or gain weight
• Feel tired all the time
• Sleep more than usual or have trouble sleeping
• Have trouble concentrating
• Have aches and pains that have no physical cause
• Think about death, or attempt suicide
• Have false beliefs of being inadequate
• Have false beliefs of being controlled by someone or something

For a diagnosis of bipolar disorder to be made, several symptoms of mania or depression, sometimes a mixture, would have to be present and other possible causes of the symptoms ruled out.

What Will Happen?

Bipolar disorder may continue to be a part of a person's life. For some people, the consequences of this disorder can be both disruptive and damaging.  But many people have managed to carry on and live well with Bipolar.

It is not always easy for a person to accept that she or he has a mental illness, or that it will affect those around them. Acceptance can take time.

A good way to manage this disorder is to -

• Learn more about bipolar disorder and it's treatments
• Ask questions about medications
• Learn to recognise one's own symptoms, triggers and early warning signs
• Develop a strong support network.
• Develop an action plan and try to follow it

Getting treatment early can reduce the impact of this disorder. Support from family and friends is important.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

Although a lot of research has been done, the cause of Bipolar Disorder is not yet fully understood. It seems to be a chemical or bio-chemical change in the brain and may have something to do with the neurotransmitters which carry messages to the brain. It could be a combination of factors.

This disorder often runs in families and therefore may be genetic.

Sometimes there is no family history.

It isn't anyone's fault.

How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
Usually by medication. Lithium carbonate (a naturally occurring salt), Tegretol (Carbamazepine) and Epilim (Sodium Valproate) are often used separately or in a combination as a maintenance medication.

These medications act to reduce severity or frequency of episodes and may prevent episodes. They may be taken over a long period with regular blood tests.

Anti psychotics or major tranquillisers may be used to reduce the effects of mania by calming the person down. They are usually taken for a longer period.

Anti depressant drugs relieve the symptoms of depression. They take some weeks to work and may need to be taken for some time after the mood has lifted.

Any drugs may have side effects which should be discussed with the doctor. Most people with this disorder find their lives are improved by taking medications.

Some people find having counselling/psychotherapy as well helps them to cope.

Sometimes when a person in unwell, a time in hospital may be needed.

Bipolar disorder is a serious illness and there are no known "alternative" treatments which have been shown to work effectively.

How will it affect Relationships?
There may be tension, frustration and confusion within the family. Members of the family may want to express their concerns but mixed-up feelings can make this difficult.

Sometimes a person who is "high" can be hurtful to others. Families may be alarmed and worried. Friends may be put off. It can be a time of great stress.

You are not alone
Approximately 1-24% of the population (35,000 to 70,000 New Zealanders) have bipolar disorder. The lives of some well-known people have been affected by mood disorders. Among them are Spike Milligan, Patty Duke, Abraham Lincoln, Robert Schumann, Kurt Cobain, Brittany Spears, Stephen Fry and many others.

Who Can Help?

• G. P or psychiatrist
• A counsellor with an understanding of mentall illness
• Psychiatric emergency service
• Peer support workers at an organisation such as Bipolar Support Canterbury
• The Mental Health Eudcation and Research Centre (MHERC) Library has books and DVDs on bipolar disorder

A variety of booklets including 'Living Well with Bipolar Disorder' and 'Someone You Care About Has a Mood Disorder' are available from Bipolar Support Canterbury.

These are available free of charge (unless postage of more than two booklets is requested).  They can be ordered by phone - (03) 366 5815 or email - This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

You can also download these in our resources section of this site.