BIPOLAR DISORDER--WARNING
SIGNS,
HELP NUMBERS & Helpful
Web Sites
Disclaimer: Online information
found here is made available so that individuals may find out whether
consultation with a counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a help site and
is not intended to provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation. This
information does not replace the advice of a
doctor.
What
is bipolar disorder?*
Bipolar
disorder, also commonly known as manic depression, is a brain disorder that
causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. The symptoms
of bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, difficulty in working
or going to school, and even suicide. There are generally periods of normal mood
as well, but left untreated, people with bipolar disorder continue to experience
these shifts in mood. The good news is that bipolar disorder can be treated, and
people with this illness can lead full and productive
lives.
What are the symptoms of
Bipolar Disorder?*
Bipolar disorder can cause
dramatic mood swings—from high and feeling on top of the world, or uncomfortably
irritable and ‘revved up’, to sad and hopeless, often with periods of normal
moods in between. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and
depression.
SYMPTOMS OF MANIC
PHASE*
--Feeling on top of the
world. A
sensation of sheer and utter happiness that nothing—not even bad news or a
horrifying event or tragedy—can change.
--Sudden or extreme
irritability or rage. While mania is often portrayed
as a pleasurable experience, that is not the case for many people with bipolar
disorder.
--Grandiose
delusions.
Individuals imagine that they have special connections with God, celebrities, or
political leaders.
--Invincibility or
unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities. The person feels that nothing
can prevent him or her from accomplishing any task.
--Hyperactivity.
Scheduling more
events in a day than can be accomplished; inability to relax or sit
still.
--Excessively risky behavior.
Reckless
driving, outlandish spending sprees, foolish business investments, or
out-of-character sexual behavior.
--Uncontrollable racing
thoughts/rapid speech. Ideas that abruptly change from
topic to topic expressed in loud, rapid speech that becomes increasingly
incoherent.
--Less need for
sleep.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSED
PHASE*
--Intense sadness or despair.
The person
feels helpless, hopeless, & worthless.
--No interest in activities
they once enjoyed.
--Loss of energy,
fatigue.
--Sleeping difficulties
Either sleeping
too much or not at all.
--Changes in appetite.
Either a
noticeable increase in appetite or a substantial weight loss unrelated to
dieting.
--Difficulty concentrating,
remembering, making decisions.
--Thoughts of death or
suicide.
*”Let’s
Talk Facts About Bipolar Disorder” (Manic Depression); American Psychiatric
Association, Copyright 2005.
HELP
NUMBERS
For
help or more information contact any of the following individuals, groups, or
agencies:
--Guidance Counselors—
High School Katie Fistler 421-4426 (Mason City Alternative School) Dave Jacobson 421-4432 (Mason City High School) Dusty Rhodes 421-4432 (Mason City High School) Karla Wymore 421-4432 (Mason City High School) Middle School Sara Bucknam 421-4423 (Roosevelt Middle School) Gina Friederich 421-4420 (John Adams Middle Schoo) Elementary Sarah Despenas 421-4406 (Harding) or 421-4411 (Jefferson)
Kay Erland 421-4408 (Hoover) or 421-4415 (Roosevelt)
--Family physician or local/area clinic
--Family services, social
agencies, or clergy
--Check the phone book under
“mental health”, “health”, “social services”, “hotlines” or “physicians” for
phone numbers and addresses.
An
emergency room doctor also can provide temporary help and can tell you where and
how to get further help.
FOR
AFTER HOURS HELP CALL:
24
Hours Daily—Confidential--Free
National Suicide
Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Teen Help Line:
1-800-443-8336
Teen Help Line is not a crisis
or “hotline”. The line provides health information & referral services for
Iowa teens.
If
you are thinking of harming yourself or know someone who is, tell someone who
can help immediately.
--Call your doctor.
--Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
--Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
--Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.
Helpful Links for More
Information On Bipolar Disorder
Scroll
down the page to find web sites about bipolar disorder.
National Alliance on Mental
Illness
(NAMI)
Mental
Health America
www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/bipolar
National Institute of Mental
Health
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/introduction.shtml
Depression and Bipolar Support
Alliance (DBSA)
www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Signs
symptoms
Teens
Health
www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/bipolar.html
American Psychiatric Association
(APA)
www.healthyminds.org/multimedia/bipolardisorder.pdf