Research: Bipolar Disorder

As the character of Amy has bipolar disorder, I thought it wise to research this condition to get a clear idea of how she would be behaving; the effects of the condition; and allowing myself to pinpoint which type she suffers from.

I found http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml a useful site to read up on this.

• Bipolar Disorder causes sufferers to experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods, known as “mood episodes"
• An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a “manic episode”
• An overly sad or hopeless state is called a “depressive episode”
• It is possible to experience both, known as a “mixed state”
• Along with these moods, the person experiences extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep and behaviour
• It is possible to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods
• Symptoms can be severe enough to disable the individual from functioning normally at work, school or home
• The disorder usually lasts a lifetime
• Between episodes, many sufferers are free of symptoms
• Condition worsens if left untreated
• In most cases, treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes

• Symptoms of mania/manic episode:
  - A long period of feeling “high”, or an overly happy or outgoing mood
  - Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling “jumpy” or “wired”
  - Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another and having racing thoughts
  - Being easily distracted
  - Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects
  - Being restless
  - Sleeping little
  - Having an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities
  - Behaving impulsively
• Symptoms of depression/depressive episode:- A long period of feeling worried or empty
  - Loss of interest in activities which were once enjoyed
  - Feeling tired or “slowed down”
  - Having problems concentrating, remembering and making decisions
  - Being restless or irritable
  - Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
  - Thinking of death or suicide/attempting suicide

• Types of Bipolar Disorder:- Bipolar I Disordero Manic/mixed episodes lasting at least 7 days
  o Manic symptoms so severe that the person requires immediate hospital care
  o The person usually also has depressive episodes, typically lasting 2 weeks- Bipolar II Disordero Depressive episodes shifting back and forth with hypomanic episodes
  o No full blown manic or mixed episodes- Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)o Person has symptoms of the illness but that do not meet diagnostic criteria for either Bipolar I or II
  o Symptoms may not last long enough
  o Too few symptoms
  o Symptoms are clearly out of the persons normal range of behaviour- Cyclothymic Disorder/Cyclothymiao Mild Form
  o Episodes of hypomania that shift back and forth with mild depression for at least 2 years
  o Symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder- Some people may be diagnosed with Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disordero 4 or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed symptoms within a year
  o More common in people who have severe Bipolar Disorder and in people who have their first episode at a younger age (most commonly 4 years before)