Living Life With Bipolar Disorder

Living with bi-polar disorder is a challenge. Bi-polar disorder is defined as having extreme mood swings between mania and depression. Episodes can include excessive talking, extreme agitation, racing thoughts and can lead to incoherence, delusions, hallucinations and paranoid fears.

Families and friends of those with bipolar can help with these moods by offering support and helping to make sure that the person inflicted takes their medications as prescribed.
During the depression episode most experience anxiety, loss of appetite, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness and lifelessness. At times they may feel the whole world is against them. Usually depression is treated with anti-depressant drugs or counseling to help the individual deal with the world around them. The drugs usually reduce the symptoms and frequency of episodes. Most people when taking their medications as directed, function normally in everyday society and lead full lives.

During the manic episode most experience excessive talking, extreme confidence, paranoia, and increased appetite with some significant insomnia; this is considered the high end of bipolar. These symptoms are treated with mood stabilizers and therapy. The drugs usually reduce symptoms and help the individuals deal.

Most people who are affected by bipolar disorder lead relatively normal lives. They may only have 1-4 episodes a year. When medications are taken properly they work, attend ball games, cook, and go to night clubs, everything they want to do. Living with bi-polar is a challenge but it is manageable. There are support groups available for those with bipolar, as well as support groups for friends and family of those with bipolar disease. You are not alone with the disease and there are resources available if you choose to use them.