Bipolar disorder affects

* Between 0.8 % and 1.6 % of the population or at least 1 in every 100 persons. Whereas, unipolar depression affects 10% of the population or one person in ten.

* Men and women are equally affected. This is different than unipolar depression which affects women two to three times more often than men.

* Lack of sleep, including overseas flights, can trigger an episode

On the positive side

Bipolar disorder can be associated with high creativity and productivity. These are valuable human qualities.

Based on Bipolar Disorder; a Family-Focused Treatment Approach David J. Milkowitz and Michael J Goldstein 1997 & 2008 (second edition)

Protective Factors

Get a Good Night’s sleep

Keep a Daily Routine

Take medications

Have fun & quiet in your life

Express your feelings

Manage anger better

Avoid upsetting situations

Use problem solving

Risk Factors

Poor Sleep habits

Alcohol & Caffeine

Irregular daily routine

Stress; too many to-dos

Significant loss

Family conflict or distress

Situations causing anger,

    resentment or excitement   

In 1980 the terms “bipolar” (meaning two directions) and “unipolar” (meaning one direction) were chosen to replace the terms manic depression and major depressive illness by the psychiatrists who compiled the third Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders   This change confused a lot of people.

To put it simply a person diagnosed as having a bipolar (two directions) disorder experiences both depressions and manias with well times in between. A person diagnosed as unipolar (one direction) experiences only episodes of depressions with well times in between.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is characterised by a sad, despairing mood. An individual may experience some or all of the following symptoms over a period of at least two weeks.

• Preoccupation with failures and inadequacies or excessive guilt

• Feelings of worthlessness

• Avoidance of formerly enjoyable activities and contacts

• Difficulty concentrating or making a decision

• Suicidal thoughts and/or actions

• Changes in appetite, either increases or decreases

• Decreased sex drive

• Difficulty sleeping or increased need for sleep

• Loss of energy

• Agitation (anxiety)

Symptoms of Mania

At the onset of a manic phase a person can seem to be more outgoing, more energetic, and more creative. But as the mood swing increases, these tendencies become more exaggerated and some or all of the fallowing may be noticed . . .

• Extreme irritability or rapid unpredictable mood changes

• Grandiose delusions or inflated self-esteem

• Excessive energy

• Racing thoughts and flights of ideas

• Pressured speech

• Overspending

• Decreased need for sleep

• Increased sex drive and indiscretion

• Impaired judgements

Uni and bipolar disorders are considered spectrum disorders according to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders meaning that people have a range in the frequency and severity of how they experience the symptoms of these disorders.

Dianne Prato M.A., M.Ed. (C.C.C.)

Certified Canadian Counsellor

At Piccadilly and Richmond Streets

London, Ontario 

(519) 659-3850  dprato@ rogers.com

Practical, Educational and Effective Counselling

☐ Counselling and Consultations   Click for details, location and fees

☐ Groups

1. •Living with Bipolar Disorder
   

2. •Bipolar Couples Group
   

3. •Mothering and Depression
   

☐ Experience, Training and Recent Projects

☐ Relevant Publications

1. •Click Here to access Understanding and Living with Bipolar Disorder Resource List
   

2. •Click Here to access information about Purple Mamma
   

☐ Community Service-Volunteer Contributions

Because

*   I am bipolar

*   I have bipolar friends

*   For 16 years I have been learning how to speak bipolar as I have helped people with the condition and their family members.

*   I have read every book I can get my hands on about bipolar disorder.

I know what it is like to

1. •    Worry how my illness will affect my children
   

2. •    Quit a job because of stigma towards me from my supervisor
   

3. •    Have wonderful family and friends support & love me through an episode
   

4. •    Feel stung by put downs about my illness by in laws and colleagues
   

5. •    Be hospitalized and be treated respectfully
   

6. •    Be hospitalized and be treated very badly
   

7. •    Have a good psychiatrist; one who listens to my concerns
   

8. •    Become lithium toxic because my psychiatrist dismissed my concerns
   

9. •    Have to get to bed by 10:30 pm every night
   

10. •    To have to say “Sorry I do not drink”.

As a bipolar who has interacted with many other bipolars I think of bipolar as a condition. This is a condition we need to learn to live with. It is true that when in the grip of a depression or mania the ability of a bipolar person to function is disordered. But even when we are well people who are bipolar have something different about their emotional thermostats. We Bipolars share common personality traits even when we are well. We are sensitive to   interpersonal conflicts and tend to ruminate, go over and over in our minds, about upsetting situations. And we cannot trust our natural mood regulating system to keep our emotions balanced. Unlike normies, we need to be very aware of our moods and take steps to keep them balanced. Mood stabilizers (medication) and self monitoring are what keep a bipolar person balanced. Understanding the risk and protective factors for episodes is a good place to star learning.  See Below

In spite of my illness I have had a very productive life. When I learned that I was a manic depressive in 1992  I wanted to use my counselling skills to help others with depressive illnesses. My professional life became entwined with my personal experience of being bipolar. When I  worked with people who had mood disorders I felt comfortable sharing my personal experiences with the illness. In other contexts I have been very cautious about disclosing my diagnosis.

Prior to becoming a counsellor I conducted groups and workshops in the community for parents. In 1989 after completing my masters degree in counselling psychology I began a private counselling practice.

From 1992 to 1996 I conducted workshops throughout South Western Ontario for the Depressive and Manic Depressive Association of Ontario.

From 1996 to the present I developed and facilitated groups relating to depressive illness for agencies in London Ontario.

At present I offer groups for adults who live with bipolar disorder through my private practice.

Click Here for details of these and how you can register.

In 1992 almost 10 years after my first hospitalization for depression and too many relapses I was diagnosed as having manic depression and prescribed lithium. I was happy.  I thought now that I had a proper diagnosis I could take my medication, learn about the illness and not have any more episodes. But is was not so simple. In 1992 there were virtually no resources  relating to what would prevent episodes.

Then I had the good fortune to work for the newly formed Depression & Manic Depression Association of Ontario. My job involved doing presentations about depressive and manic depressive illnesses. Not only did I have access to the association’s resources, even better, I connected with people all over South Western Ontario who lived with depressive illnesses. In workshops participants shared what their observations regarding what they had noticed put individuals with uni or bipolar disorder at risk for episodes and what was helpful in preventing relapses. A picture began to emerge of the factors that put people at risk for episodes and what seemed to help prevent relapses.

In June 1999 I was privileged to attend the Family Psycho Educational Workshop offered at the Third International Conference on Bipolar Disorder by David Miklowitz and Michael Goldstein. Not only was I affirmed in the approach that I had been taking I also immediately saw that their framework of  presenting risk and protective factors was an elegant way of organizing these factors. The addition of the scales of justice was my idea.

A list of useful resources about Understanding and Living with Bipolar Disorder from the London Public Library is available here.

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