Bipolar disorder

I'm taking a psychiatric disorders class this semester and I'm going to be writing a paper.  I am choosing to write about Bipolar disorder because I know people who struggle with this disease and because it runs in Scott's family.  This means you, my dear audience, get to hear about it.

Parkinson's Disease is caused by a lack of dopamine (one of the chemicals our brain needs to function).

Bipolar disorder is caused by either too much dopamine or nerves being too sensitive and overreacting to the dopamine available (we can't tell which yet).

So here's a question for you... Why is Parkinson's Disease considered by society to be a legitimate illness and Bipolar disorder is not?

I should also throw out here that treating Bipolar disorder with anti-depressants alone will not work and can be disastrous, especially if the anti-depressant is an SSRI like Zoloft, Paxil, or Prozac.  Persons with Bipolar need to be taking a mood stabilizer such as Lamictal or Abilify and may need more than one medication for the best therapeutic effect.  Interestingly, anti-seizure medications make good mood stabilizers for Bipolar disorder which leads doctors to think that Bipolar disorder is similar to seizure disorders as both involve overstimulation of nerves in the brain.  Unfortunately it can take time and patience to find the right medication(s) for mental illnesses and so many people get frustrated and give up.

Here's a list of symptoms of a manic episode in someone with Bipolar disorder:

Abnormal amounts of energy and/or inability to sit still

Not tiring and/or insomnia

Increased or decreased appetite

Does not take care of self

Increased sexuality or sexual behaviors

Exaggerated dress or makeup

Irritable and easily provoked

Physically threatening

Unexplained disappearance

Racing thoughts

Fast talking which can't keep up with fast thoughts

Poor judgement

Constantly tense or "on guard"

Easily distracted

Feelings of persecution, grandiosity or religiosity

Hallucinations

Unable to admit they may have a mental condition

Quickly changing mood

Manic episodes can last anywhere from hours to days/weeks or even months and often cycle with major depressive episodes.  Symptoms of major depressive episodes are:

Significant impairment in ability to work or be social

Unexplained pain or intestinal distress

Increased irritability or anger

Weight loss or weight gain

Insomnia or excessive sleeping

Sense of worthlessness, guilt or negative self image

Self-blaming

Inability to experience pleasure

Inability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions

Poor performance

Feeling or saying others would be better if he/she were not around

Thoughts of dying or suicide

A diagnosis of Bipolar disorder is not the end of the world.  Medications have come a long way in helping people maintain a more stable life with fewer side effects than before.  If a person with Bipolar disorder is reluctant to seek treatment because they like the way they feel when they’re manic, remember that those feelings come with a price. Mania can become destructive, hurting them and the people around them and untreated Bipolar disorder has a high risk of suicide.  Don't be afraid to get help.