BIPOLAR DISORDER

* Bipolar disorder is a serious brain

illness. It is also called manicdepressive illness.

* People with bipolar disorder go

through unusual mood changes.

up, and are much more active than usual. This is called mania. disorder feel very sad and down, and are much less active. This is called depression.

* Sometimes they feel very happy and

* Sometimes people with bipolar

*Anyone

can develop bipolar disorder. It often starts in a persons late teen or early adult years. But children and adults can have bipolar disorder too. The illness usually lasts a lifetime.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:

Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include: Mood Changes Mood Changes A long period of feeling "high," or an overly A long period of feeling worried or empty happy or outgoing mood Loss of interest in activities once Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling enjoyed, including sex. "jumpy" or "wired." Behavioral Changes Behavioral Changes Feeling tired or "slowed down" Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to Having problems concentrating, another, having racing thoughts remembering, and making decisions Being easily distracted Increasing goal-directed activities, such as Being restless or irritable taking on new projects Changing eating, sleeping, or other Being restless habits Sleeping little Thinking of death or suicide, or Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot attempting suicide.
of pleasurable, high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments.

* Bipolar

Disorder is damaging to the brain; certain parts of the brain may be unbalanced in volume which can affect the brains ability to learn, remember things, and function

* People with bipolar disorder tend to suffer from anxiety and panic, and usually also
have another mental illness

* People

with bipolar disorder generally die about 7 years earlier than that of the average population, aside from suicide

* Depression forms of bipolar disorder have been linked to be the causes of heart
disease, over-smoking, drinking, heart attacks, high blood sugar, diabetes, bone loss, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome, and even cancer.

* Bipolar
* Bipolar * Bipolar

I Disorder- it is the diagnosis given to an individual who is experiencing or has experienced, a full syndrome of manic or mixed symptoms.
II Disorder- it is characterized by recurrent bouts of major depression with the episodic occurrence of hypomania. This individual has never experienced a full syndrome of manic or mixed syndrome. Disorder mixed- when the symptom presentation includes rapidly alternating moods (sadness, irritability, euphoria) accompanied by symptoms associated with both depression and mania.

* Cyclothymic Disorder- essential feature is a chronic mood disturbance

of at least 2 years duration, involving numerous periods of depression and hypomania, but not sufficient severity and duration to meet the criteria of either Bipolar I or II disorder.

Range of Mood and Emotion

severe mania

mild to moderate mania (hypomania)

normal-balanced mood
mild to moderate depression

severe depression

No. Some people have bipolar disorder for years before anyone knows. This is because bipolar symptoms may seem like several different problems. Family and friends may not see that a persons symptoms are part of a bigger problem. A doctor may think the person has a different illness, like schizophrenia or depression. Also, people with bipolar disorder often have other health problems. This may make it hard for doctors to see the bipolar disorder. Examples of other illnesses include substance abuse, anxiety disorders, thyroid disease, heart disease, and obesity.

There is no actual cure for bipolar disorder yet, but with the help of various treatments and medications, people with bipolar disorder can live normally. These are just a few of the treatments for bipolar disorder: MEDICATIONS: * Mood stabilizing medications are usually the first choice to treat bipolar disorder. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for years. Except for lithium, many of these medications are anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsant medications are usually used to treat seizures, but they also help control moods. * Atypical antipsychotic medications are sometimes used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder. Often, these medications are taken with other medications. * Antidepressant medications are sometimes used to treat symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder who take antidepressants often take a mood stabilizer too. Doctors usually require this because taking only an antidepressant can increase a person's risk of switching to mania or hypomania, or of developing rapid cycling symptoms. To prevent this switch, doctors who prescribe antidepressants for treating bipolar disorder also usually require the person to take a mood-stabilizing medication at the same time.

Psychotherapy In addition to medication, psychotherapy, or "talk" therapy, can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Some psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar disorder include: * Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change harmful or negative thought patterns and behaviors. * Family-focused therapy includes family members. It helps enhance family coping strategies, such as recognizing new episodes early and helping their loved one. This therapy also improves communication and problem-solving. * Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy helps people with bipolar disorder improve their relationships with others and manage their daily routines. Regular daily routines and sleep schedules may help protect against manic episodes. * Psychoeducation teaches people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment. This treatment helps people recognize signs of relapse so they can seek treatment early, before a full-blown episode occurs. Usually done in a group, psychoeducation may also be helpful for family members and caregivers.

*Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

For cases in which medication and/or psychotherapy does not work, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be useful. ECT, formerly known as "shock therapy," once had a bad reputation. But in recent years, it has greatly improved and can provide relief for people with severe bipolar disorder who have not been able to feel better with other treatments.

A.

Maintain a safe environment

1. Reduce external stimuli: noise, people and motion

2. Do not interrupt when dancing, singing or making a speech 3. Remove hazardous objects from the environment 4. Avoid competitive activities (Mild exercise, group singing, and swimming)

B. Establish a nurse-client relationship 1. Maintain accepting, nonjudgmental attitude and create conditions where trust can develop in the relationship: friendly approach, calm, consistent 2. Avoid entering into clients playful, joking activity-do not joke back.

3. Allow client to verbalize feelings, especially hostilityalways focus on what the client feels.
4. Help the client focus on one topic at a time during the conversation. 5. Ignore or distract the client from grandiose thinking. 6. Present reality to the client. 7. Dont argue with the client.

C. Set realistic limits on behavior 1. Provide scope and limitations to behavior for a sense of security. 2. Anticipate destructive behavior and set limits. 3. Do not allow the client to lead the group. 4. Be firm and consistent. 5. Limit group activities and assess the clients tolerance level. 6. Involve client in setting own limits: a. Gives client sense of control b. Client fears inability to control own behavior c. Limit decision making during acute phase because of poor judgment

D. Give attention to physical needs 1. Provide high-calorie and high-protein diet with vitamin supplements that are hand-held on the go or finger foods. 2. Ensure adequate rest and sleep. 3. Assess the client closely for fatigue. 4. Use comfort measures to promote sleep. 5. Provide a private room if possible. 6. Administer a hypnotic or sedative medication as prescribed.

Thank you! God Bless!

VALENCIA, EVANGELINE A. Lipa City Colleges