Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes severe mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows. There are two main types of bipolar disorder - bipolar I is characterized by one or more manic or mixed episodes, while bipolar II involves at least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode. Symptoms include changes in activity, energy, and ability to function. Treatment involves mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy to help manage symptoms and gain control over mood swings. Living with bipolar disorder involves periods of mania, depression, normal days in between episodes, and ongoing therapy and medication management.

1. Eileen Prince
BIPOLAR DISORDER

2. Disclaimer
• This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a
fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For
questions about this blog project or its content please email the
teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

3. What is Bipolar Disorder?
• Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes severe mood swings
and along with shifts in energy, activity levels, and ability to carry
out everyday tasks.

4. Criteria for Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder I
• Patient has had at least one manic episode followed by or preceded by
hypomanic or depressive episodes. Manic episodes can impair certain areas
of life.
• Bipolar Disorder II
• Patient has had at least one major depressive episode lasting at least two
weeks and at least one hypomanic episode lasting at least four days, but
has never had a manic episode. Depressive episodes can cause impair
functioning in certain areas of life.

5. Symptoms of a Manic Episode
•Increasing activities
•Being restless and may not feel tired
•Has unrealistic beliefs in one’s own abilities
•Behaving impulsively

6. Symptoms of a Manic Episode
• A long period of feeling overly happy or having an outgoing
mood
• May also experience extreme irritability
• Talking quickly, jumping from one subject to another
• Easily distracted

7. Symptoms of Depressive Episode
• Experiences an overly long
period of feeling sad or
hopeless
• Loss of interest in activities
once enjoyed
• Feeling tired, lethargic, or
sluggish
• Having problems focusing,
remembering, and making
decisions

8. Symptoms of Depressive Episode
• Being restless or irritable
• Changing eating, sleeping, or
other habits
• Thoughts or suicide or
attempts at suicide

9. Symptoms of a Hypomanic Episode
• A hypomanic episode is a distinct period of abnormally and
persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least four
consecutive days.

10. Treatments
•Bipolar disorder cannot
be cured, but it can be
treated over the long
term.
•Treatment helps patient
gain better control over
their mood swings and
other symptoms.
•Medications and
Psychotherapy may be
used.

11. Treatment: Medications
• Mood stabilizers are usually the first choice to treat bipolar
disorder.
• Lithium and anticonvulsants such as valproic acid and lamotrigine are often
used as mood stabilizers.
• Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat symptoms of
depression in bipolar disorder

12. Treatment: Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
helps people with the
disorder learn to change
harmful or negative thought
patterns and behaviors.
• Family-focused therapy helps
enhance family coping
strategies and by improving
communication and problem-
solving among family
members.

13. Therapy: Psychotherapy
• Interpersonal and social
rhythm therapy helps people
with the disorder improve
their relationships with
others and manage their
daily routines
• Psychoeducation teaches
people with the disorder
about the illness and its
treatment, which can help
people recognize the signs of
an impending mood swing
earlier.

14. Therapy: Other Treatments
• Electroconvulsive Therapy or “shock therapy” may be used for
cases in which medication and psychotherapy do not work.
• Sleep Medications may be used for people with bipolar disorder
who have trouble sleeping.
• Herbal Supplements are sometimes used, but the effectiveness has
not been researched thoroughly.

15. Having Bipolar Disorder: Mania
• The mania part of bipolar
disorder can be fun. I’m full
of energy and optimism. I
feel great all the time and I’m
able to be productive. I’m
more creative and I get a lot
done. I feel like I’m on top of
the world and I’m invincible.
I’m always happy, and I have
a great time entertaining
others as well.

16. Having the Disorder: Mania
• Unfortunately, during the
mania phase, I can be rather
impulsive. I’m willing to do
almost anything. If someone
dares me to run across a
street, I’d probably do it. I
also tend to overspend when
I go shopping during my
manic phase. During these
times, I often need someone
to restrain me from doing
things I’ll regret later.

17. Having the Disorder: Depression
• During my depressive states,
I don’t want to see anyone or
do anything. Not only do I
not want to be around
people, I want people to
disappear. I often just want
to stay in bed all day. I feel
tired and sluggish. I get
distracted easily and become
forgetful. Its difficult to be
productive and get things
done.

18. Having the Disorder: Depression
• I often feel hopeless and
worthless. The future seems
bleak. There’s nothing to
look forward to. I don’t enjoy
anything. No matter what I
do, little things annoy me.
I’m pessimistic, and
everything sucks. Sometimes
I think about suicide in this
state. I think about how easy
it would be to throw myself
in front of a car. I just want
everything to end.

19. Having the Disorder
OR

20. Having the Disorder: The Days In-between
• I have normal days just like
everyone else. These are the
days in-between. I wake up,
and I feel fine. I don’t worry
about everything or dread
the future. I’m not a hyper
maniac, and I’m not a
lethargic slug. I’m just
normal. These are the days I
wish would last. I wish I
could always be like this, but
I know that’s not possible, so
I try to appreciate these days
as much as possible.

21. Having the Disorder: Therapy
• I go to a cognitive behavioral psychologist. He helps me change my
negative patterns and behaviors. He’s helped me accept that I have
to live with this condition. I’ve learned to understand my problem
and understand that my depression is temporary, and I don’t always
think clearly during it. The self-reminder helps me restrain myself
from doing thins I’ll regret later like suicide.

22. Having the Disorder: Therapy
• In addition to having psychotherapy, I also take lithium as a mood
stabilizer. It helps control my symptoms of manic episodes.

23. Sources
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
• http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/what-bipolar-
feels-like#2
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-
disorder/basics/risk-factors/con-20027544