This document is a diary from a teenage individual describing their experience with bipolar disorder. It provides information on what bipolar disorder is, potential causes, common symptoms, risk factors and phases. It also discusses treatment options like mood stabilizers, psychotherapy and coping strategies. Statistics are given on the prevalence of bipolar disorder in the US and challenges associated with diagnosis. The diary entries discuss personal struggles with anger, mania, depression and forgetting medication, but also positive coping mechanisms learned.

1. Diary of A Teenage Bipolar
Jane Bryantz

2. What is bipolar disorder?
Previously known as manic-depressive
disorder.This disorder consists of mood swings.
Generally consists of two poles of emotions
that are opposite of one another.

3. What causes this disorder?
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Genetics
Childhood experiences
Other life events
Neural processing
Melatonin activity

4. What are the symptoms?
Most common symptoms include…
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depression
excessive happiness
anxiety
inability to make decisions
suicidal thoughts

5. What are a few warning signs?
● In some cases patients do not follow regular bipolar
disorder symptoms or they go unnoticed.
● Commonly overpowering negative emotions result in
self injury, or cutting.
● In manic or depressive episodes some people may
attempt suicide.

6. What are the risk factors?
Genetic factors - Most individuals have
relatives that suffer from depression or bipolar
disorder.
Neurological diseases & thyroid disease - these
carry similar symptoms that may be mistaken
for bipolar disorder

7. What are typical “phases” of a
bipolar individual ?
1. Mania - elevated mood and increased self-esteem
2. Depression-
may also consider suicide
3. A Mixed Episode-
mania and depression can be experienced at the same
time
4. Rapid Cycling -
4 or more different types of episodes in one year
5. Seasonal patterns -
moods triggered by a certain time of year

8. What are the treatment options?
Mood Stabilizers - such as lithium or antipsychotic drugs
Atypical Antipsychotics - provide greater symptoms relief
Psychotherapy - Seeing a therapist to help stabilize oneself
and prevent relapse or excessive episodes

9. How does a person cope ?
Firsthand, many individuals deny diagnosis.
But with the help of psychotherapy and the
correct medical treatments anyone with this
disorder can be pretty normal.

10. What are the demographics?
About 5.7 million adults, 18 and older, have bipolar
disorder in America.
That is
3 in every 100 adults.
70% of people with bipolar disorder will be misdiagnosed
at least once.

11. Interesting Facts
3 times or more a day a bipolar individual
experiences symptoms of depression.
Suicide rates are higher for those with bipolar
disorder.
The average set of onset for bipolar disorder is
25.

12. When I am feeling angry ...
I want to lash out at everyone.

13. When I am going through a manic
episode ...
Life is GREAT.

14. When I feel depressed ...

15. When I am suffering from sleep
deprivation ...
“Why me ?”

16. When I forget to take my medicine
...
or I think I won’t need it.

17. When I feel the need to escape ..
I choose alternate methods that do not help in
the long run.

18. But ... I have learned
Walking can help me positively find relief.

19. and keeping a journal helps me feel in
control of my thoughts.

20. Talk therapy helps me ...
recognize my triggers
My therapist has helped me learn meditation
techniques.

21. This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized
account of having psychological ailment.