What would you think if about the time you graduated from high school or began college, you suddenly began to have very racing thoughts and high energies that kept you stressed and your family and friends began to treat you as if you were weird, or at least mentally ill?
The horrifying aspects of the disease now known as Bipolar were once termed Manic Depression. When the fall comes after the high of proportions that make the mind something you wish had an off button, the low of the depression sets in and nothing seems to be able to lift your spirits. The depth of the depression often brings on suicidal thoughts as ending the cycles of the highs and lows of this unexplainable disease runs rampant in the life of the victim.
The greatest need is the ability to tell healthcare professionals exactly what is happening and a journal is an excellent way to keep track of the vicious high and low cycles of this mental illness.
Knowing one is not alone, millions have this disease, finding support groups to share with, and educating family and friends on the disease does much to help sufferers to cope with this dreadful disease.
A number of medications are available and every patient is different and may need different treatments. Avoidance of street drugs is most important. Being gentle with one's self and following doctors, orders are necessary, but this is true with many diseases.
As with any health issue diet and exercise are essential aspects of treatment. Being our own best friend is key to knowing how and when to give ourselves a friend to talk to or contacting a professional if needed.
This will last entire lifetimes, but life is still good, and finding the good is one way to fight this disease.
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