Mental Illness
Transcript: Depression: During a depressive episode, the person experiences: feelings of sadness or loses interest in the things they normally enjoy. At least 5 of the following additional symptoms persist for at least 2 weeks: insomnia (trouble sleeping) or sleeping too much depressed mood weight loss or weight gain decreased interest in pleasurable activities fatigue or decreased energy problems concentrating or making decisions feeling slowed down or feeling too agitated to sit still feeling worthless or guilty or having very low self-esteem recurrent thoughts of death or of committing suicide A depressive episode may also include symptoms such as: severe anxiety, excessive worry, other physical symptoms (e.g., pain) as well as psychotic symptoms such as delusions (firmly believing things that are not true) or hallucinations (hearing, feeling, or seeing things that are not there). Causes of Bipolar Disorder: There is no single, proven cause of bipolar disorder, but research suggests that it is the result of abnormalities in the way some nerve cells in the brain function or communicate. Researchers also believe that there is a definite genetic link (family history) in which there is a higher risk for people who have a parent or full sibling (i.e., a first-degree relative) with bipolar disorder. Whatever the precise nature of the cause of bipolar disorder, it clearly makes people with the disorder more vulnerable to emotional and physical stresses. As a result, upsetting life experiences, alcohol, illicit drug use, lack of sleep, or other stresses can trigger episodes of illness, even though these stresses do not actually cause the disorder. Bipolar disorder is not the fault of the person suffering from it and is not the result of a "weak" or unstable personality. Rather, bipolar disorder is a treatable medical condition. Medications for bipolar disorder must be customized to fit the individual because the patterns and severity of this disorder vary from one person to the next. Long-term medications are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. Medications used to manage bipolar disorder include: mood stabilizers antidepressants antipsychotics Other medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as trouble sleeping, anxiety, or restlessness. Challenges for family who live with someone who has this disorder: they feel unloved, scared to be around or near them, scared to come home or to ask for things, can’t talk to them about things, confused by their actions, don’t know what to do or say around them that won’t set them, woken up in the middle of the night when they are in their manic stage and are suddenly ripping apart a newly renovated room because they had a new vision for it and then they hit their depressed stage and it sits there unfinished and untouched. Dealing with their suicidal thoughts and attempts, not knowing where they are or what they are doing when they take off when they are angry. A child has to deal with their parent slowly drifting in and out of their life. It is important for people with bipolar disorder to keep taking their medications in order for the medications to work properly in managing this condition. They should not stop taking these medications or adjust the dose on their own without speaking to their doctor or pharmacist first. Symptoms: Mania: During a manic episode, people experience a high, irritable, angry, or aggressive mood for a least one week. In addition, they will experience 3 or more of the following: needing little sleep increased, loud, or quick talking having racing thoughts (thoughts that won't quiet) being much more active than usual having an inflated feeling of power, greatness, or importance doing reckless things without concern about possible consequences (e.g., spending too much money, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making risky business investments) feeling very powerful or special (inflated self-esteem) A manic episode may also include psychotic symptoms such as delusions (firmly believing things that are not true) or hallucinations (hearing, feeling, or seeing things that are not there). Mood stabilizers: Most people with bipolar disorder are treated with medications called mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium*, divalproex or valproic acid, carbamazepine). These medications provide relief from current episodes and prevent them from recurring. They do not worsen depression or mania, or lead to increased cycling. Combination therapy with two mood stabilizers is sometimes recommended for people who do not respond to or develop resistance to the use of one medication Antipsychotics: These medications (i.e., olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine) are used to help with the symptoms of mania, and they are believed to work by regulating the activity of certain brain chemicals to stabilize mood. Similar to antidepressants, several types of antipsychotics are available - each slightly differs in how they work, and each has their specific side effects.
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