• Bipolar Disorder is a disorder of mood involving episodes of serious mania and serious depression.
• This disorder affects approximately 1 percent of the general population. Both men and women are equally affected.
• About one-third of depressed people are diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder, but experts believe that about one-half of all depressed people are actually bipolar.
• The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder typically appear in adolescence or early adulthood.
• When one parent has Bipolar Disorder, each of the children has a 17 percent chance of developing a depressive illness at some point in their lives. Approximately 10 percent will develop depression and about 7 percent will develop Bipolar Disorder.
• In Bipolar I Disorder, persons experience one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of mania and depression mixed together in one single episode. Often these individuals will also have had one or more major depressive episodes. Persons with this sub-type may have some free intervals where he/she does not experience any symptoms.
• Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more major depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode (mania without psychotic symptoms). Symptom-free intervals may also exist.
| Depression | Mania |
| Persistent sad or “empty” mood | Excessive “high” mood |
| Changes in appetite, weight or sleep patterns | Increased energy and activity |
| Decreased energy | Decreased need for sleep |
| Feelings of hopeless ness, loss or guilt | Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers |
| Thoughts of death or suicide | Extreme irritability or distractibility |
| Difficulty thinking or remembering | Uncharacteristically poor judgment |
| Loss of interest in ordinary activities | Racing thoughts |
| Irritability | Obnoxious or provocative behavior |
| Excessive Crying | Drug and/or alcohol abuse |
• Bipolar Disorder is a biological brain disease that appears to be genetically-based and tends to run in families
• Bipolar Disorder is a disorder of mood caused by a chemical imbalance in the frontal lobe of the brain. During a manic episode, there is increased activity in the frontal lobe; during a depressive episode, there is decreased activity in the frontal lobe of the brain.
• A full physical examination, intake of family history, and psychological evaluation should be completed by a mental health professional or family physician before any treatment takes place.
• Medications, such as Lithium and Depakote, are usually very effective in controlling episodes.
• Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) is effective for approximately 80 percent of those experiencing a severe depressive episode who do not respond to medications. These treatments are typically followed by medication therapy for maintenance.
• Psychotherapy is often used in combination with medication therapy and usually takes the form of interpersonal therapy, behavior therapy and/or cognitive therapy.
Handbook of Lithium Therapy by Johnson, F. Neil
Helping the Depressed Person Get Treatment by NIMH
Learning to Cope with Depression & Manic Depression by Copeland, Mary Ellen
Lithium & Manic Depression: A Guide by the Lithium Information Center/Univ. of Wisconsin
Moodswing by Fieve, M.D., Ronald
Suicide: Why? by Wrobleski, Adina
Schizoprenia & Manic Depression Disorder by Torry, Bowler, Taylor and Gottensman
If you or someone you know would like more information on mental illness
or wish to request an educational presentation, please contact:
NAMI IOWA (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 outside of Des Moines
Fax: (515) 254-1103 Website: http://www.namiiowa.org/