Bipolar Disorder (Mental Health Awareness Week)

Bipolar Discussion Adult Members

Led by Lee and Peacefulsoul8

Icebreaker

On the happiness mood scale from 1-10, when youre a 10, how do you act/feel?

When I'm a 10...... I'M HAPPY! And I get really bouncy,and just want to get outside and do things! And eat icecream! haha

when i'm at ten i feel in nearly in bliss

im a five at the moment

at 10/10 we would feel in control and on top of the world

Questions

1.What is Bipolar Disorder, as far as you know?

combinations of different mood states

from my understanding a mood disorder that can make you feel differently quickly

characterized by mood swings

2.Bipolar disorder is full of very tumultuous highs and devastating lows. In terms of the highs do you know the difference between mania and hypomania?

Hypomania is usually classes as a 'lesser' form of mania. And I think they might last for different time periods too Maybe

Okay, well I can begin by saying that *most simply* hypomania is a milder form of mania.

Hypomania is linked to BP2, where as mania is linked to BP1

3.Do you know what some of the main symptoms of mania/hypomania are (**Note that they can have fairly different symptoms**)?

not sleeping for several days

distracted easily

excessive involvement in pleasure activities

racing thoughts

Grandiosity

Reckless spending sprees

Rapid speech too

4.How do you think periods of mania or hypomania might affect the lives of those with bipolar disorder?

Oh gosh, it can make everything difficult.

Can make it hard for their loved ones to keep up with them

they never really know how much they can commit to.... because they can overcommit in their manic phases and undercommit in the depression phases

leading to self doubt and not trusting oneself

It can cause people to lose jobs

5.How do you think periods of depression might affect the lives of those with bipolar disorder?

It can confuse those around them because they might not be able to keep up with their moods

Again losing friends. and jobs.

They may lose their motivation completely

they might have trouble taking care of a baby or young children at home

6.Do you know what a mixed episode is? If not, how do you think that experience might look like?

Like a mess!

I can only guess a mixed episode would be to do with rapid cycles of moods

Mixed episode is when you experience depression and manic symptoms together. like depression and racing thoughts or lack of sleep

It's the presence of depressive symptoms and hypomanic/manic symptoms at the same time, if you can believe it.

Some people have said that mixed episodes can be the most dangerous

7.How might self-stigma or stigma in general play a role in getting medical care for bipolar?

does reducing your vulnerabilities help keep BP in line like sleeping cycles, meds same time every day, eating properly, etc

Routine very important and so is nutrition and exercise

With any mental illness I think the fear of judgement can stop people from seeking help

some people just wont go or their ego might get in the way of seeking help

I often feel like people will think I'm exaggerating

Well Stigma can often lead to shame, feelings of being outcasted or ostracized, possibly leading to thinking one is unworthy of help and should just fade back into the shadows.

8.Though episodes can feel like they are brought on out-of-the-blue, there are also triggers. Can you think of what some of those triggers might be?

lack of sleep

Stress at work

An argument with a friend or family

Substance abuse can also be a big one.

Something bad happening like family falling ill

or the breakup of a relationship can be a giant trigger too

9.What do you guys think about drinking alcohol and taking drugs while one has bi polar is this good or bad?

if bad why so?

drugs/alcohol will just compound the problems and make them all worse

Substances can trigger an already fragile brain

substances can also put you to sitting around with dangerous people

Very bad. I'm currently struggling to stay clean from drugs

Questions asked by Participants

How can friends and family help a person who has bipolar?

Encouragement, understanding

Encouragement of routine especially

Seeing the episodes beginning and helping them get to treatment

What is the best way a loved one can support someone with bipolar?

www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-a-Bipolar-Person

www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-a-Bipolar-Family-Member

Participant List:

@Lee @peacefulSoul8 @StandForFreedom @Sarah856 @placidSail5913 @Jakkob @BurtonDell @RedMeeko @Johny10 @ScintillaNyx @generousOcean67 @WarmChocolateMug @PowerfulGirls @