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Abstract
Bipolar disorder is one of the world’s most painful mental disorders. It is characterized by extreme mood turnovers, mania or extreme highs, and depression or extreme lows. It can have major repercussions on an individual and family, becoming as disastrous as a suicide at times. With no permanent cure at hand, the bipolar disorder remains a permanent global challenge. Today 222 million adults suffer from the condition. Youngsters and teenagers in particular are also avid victims of the disorder. The ratio of men and women undergoing disorder is almost the same. Women, however, more often experience rapid cycling of emotions compared to men.
The frequency of depressive episodes is greater in women while manic episodes occur more seldom in men. Nevertheless, the challenge to lead a normal life with the disorder rests on as one of the gravest mental challenges ever.
The paper deals with bipolar disorder and its effects on life. The struggle is juxtaposed with the disorder and measures that should be undertaken when living with the condition. Precisely mood charting, consistent medication, compliance with the directions of the advisor, and improved self-control at all times. It also throws light on the impact of the bi-polar disorder on relationships. How family roles swap over, divorces take form at times, financial crisis surfaces, and uncalled tension that looms over.
Lastly, it cites suggestions and conditions associated with effective management of the disorder. The dos and the don’ts. The negative impact of leaving the disease unattended and untreated; how family members should pool in to help their loved ones win over their condition. This is marked by constant reassurance of their undying love and support, encouraging treatment, and helping minimize the effects of mood swings by working closely with the patient.
Brief Insight into the Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (old name-manic depression) is a mental disability marked by the two extreme sides of mood swings; the highs and the lows. Highs symbolize mania while lows denote depression. People suffering from bipolar disorder; end up fluctuating between their mania and depression very often.
When high, victims become sleepless, feel extremely energetic, impulsive, distracted easily, over-confident, undergo an overwhelming desire to do something worthwhile, and become uncontrollable. On the other hand, during the depression, they become enveloped in this feeling of ‘unworthiness.’ They are apathetic, lose interest in life, feel restless, indecisive, and experience unusual changes in weight and appetite. The disorder may be caused due to reasons manifold; hereditary, brain chemistry, and traumatic life events that transform the individual completely in the process. (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d.) (“What is Bipolar”, 2004)
Bipolar, which is the sixth-largest disability in the world, remains a challenge for psychiatrists and doctors around the globe (“Facts and Figures”, n.d.). Not only, a permanent cure of the disorder clings on as lofty and unexplored, but diagnosis remains a problem as well. Purportedly for this reason and various others, the bi-polar disorder has remained under the limelight.
Living a happy life with the disorder
Bi-polar can be serious and life-threatening, especially when patients undergo the urge to commit suicide. 25% of bipolar victims commit suicide at some point in their life. However, the victims of bipolar disorder do not always give up on life. (“Facts and Figures”, n.d.)Many continue with their endeavors and do not let the disability impede the way through to their goals and achievements.
History cites examples of influential people from different genres’ of life, literature, art, film, media, business, and politics, as harbingers of bipolar disorder. The deal through is proper and timely treatment. The idea is to take it as a challenge, which can be overcome, by patience, tolerance, commitment, and endurance.
Commitment towards oneself and engaging in the condition on a personal level is the key to a happy life under the disorder. Bipolar patients live their life by resorting to various forms of treatment. The form of care employed ranges from taking proper medication to undergoing therapy. (“Living with”, 2004).
Self-management is the essence of people who have lived their life irrespective of the disorder. They chart their moods and keep track of their moods on a regular basis. In this way, they are able to keep a tab over oft-repeated ups and downs. By ensuring an adequate amount of sleep every day and at the right time, they avoid high levels of stress. For their nutritional requirements, they try to maintain a balanced diet. This is supplemented by not eating too much or too little. (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d.).
More often than not, proper medication is pursued, with health care providers consulted regularly. At work, breaks are frequented with fewer stress levels. Things that trigger mood swings are particularly avoided. (David, 2007).
Family and friends at times play a pivotal role in helping dispose of mood swings. The victims end up sharing a great camaraderie with their loved ones and are more open about their condition. Signs and warnings before mood periodic swings are identified and explained to peers, who help them notice the change and battle it out. (“Dealing with”, n.d.).
Bipolar patients are extremely vulnerable to addictions. “According to a survey, around 60% patients carry a historic record of substance abuse of some kind.” (David, 2003, para. 16)People resort to excess intakes of food, alcohol, drugs, etc to accentuate the high. Survivors seek advice against alcohol and drug use. (David, 2007).
Thus, with proper care and effective management of one’s life, the nuances of bipolar disorder can be sidetracked and eventually overcome.
Effects of the Disorder Goes Untreated
Bipolar disorder can be tumultuous and disastrous if left unattended and untreated. It should be known that the disorder lasts for life and would only aggravate if care is not taken. The extreme side of emotion witnessed substantiates the argument at hand. The extremities cross deeper lines, as and when mood swings occur.
Frustration on the part of the patient builds up. Not only does he have to cope up with his state of mind and health, but also the tension that it brings along. The agony becomes unbearable as the abnormal circumstances; he is led through start taking a toll on him. Life becomes torture, a burdensome reality that he is to live through. (Mary & Jill, 2004).
It becomes difficult for him to seek solace, contentment, and peace. The feeling of worthlessness seeps through. Happiness and pleasure become alien states of emotion. In certain cases, violent outbursts followed by hapless crying are observed. The desire to live and love near and dear ones go into oblivion. At times, goals and achievements desired are also lost. Untreated bipolar disorder can even drive a patient to the extent of committing suicide. He starts seeking death as the world surrounding him, becomes an unanswerable question. The perplexed state of the patient’s mind is unable to conceive, reason and answer. (Mary & Jill, 2004).
Apart from this, it has been also observed, that patients undergoing the treatment give up their medication somewhere in between. Ratios of patients in this category are soaring high. This may be a result of a lack of awareness, of illness, also known as anosognosia. (“Why individuals”, n.d.)There are victims who are not even diagnosed with the disorder. This is due to its striking resemblance with various other mental disorders. Other observed factors include no signs of improvement, cost of medication, confusion, depression, inaccessibility of medicines, and excessive intake of alcohol and drugs.
Impact of Bipolar disorder on Relationships
Mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are a distant story from the normal ups and downs of daily life. They are severe and sometimes can lead to undesired consequences. People undergoing manic phases may end up driving recklessly, go on a violent shopping spree, become aggressive or even start consuming excessive alcohol. Similarly, under the depressive phase, the extreme notions pertaining to death and suicide can be disastrous. Family members thus come into play at this critical juncture. They not only have to help the patient cope up with the disorder but also ensure that he/she does not feel alienated.
Relationship problems Due to Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder can be cumbersome to deal with for family members. It may become stressful to deal with someone who is rapidly fluctuating between the two extreme sides of emotions. Families undergo varying emotions while living with a bipolar patient. Guilt consciousness creeps in as they start blaming themselves for the patient’s condition. Youngsters are particularly vulnerable. They start believing that they have caused their parent’s the illness. The deal here is to realize that bipolar is not a result of anyone but a serious medical illness. (“Dealing with”, n.d.)
Substance abuse is one of the most common addictions bipolar patients resort to. Excessive intake of alcohol and drug impairs their judgment. The power to reason dims away and addiction holds sway over relations. If family members are intolerant and impatient in such circumstances, confrontations and misunderstandings may crop up. Relationships turn sour and at times in the case of wives, divorce has taken shape. Instead of exacerbating the situation, family members should deal with the situation wisely and advocate for specialist treatment. This will help minimize the negative impact of alcohol and drug abuse and ensure that treatment is successful. (“Dealing with”, n.d.)
The euphoric highs of bipolar disorder are often accompanied by extreme lows, bringing in another challenge for family and friends to deal with. Manic episodes and dealing with them tactfully rests completely on the shoulders of the sufferer. The patient is uncontrollable, out of his senses, wild and volatile during these highs. He is unable to take charge and refuses to think. Hence, the sufferer has to be exercise immense patience, and tolerance during this time period. On the other hand, extreme lows as experienced by the patients become depressing for family and friends as well. The patient’s inactivity and apparent nonchalance make usual interests of life void. And since fun is a unanimous bargain, gloominess and sadness loom over. (“Dealing with”, n.d.)
At times severe bipolar episodes include symptoms of psychosis such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. (“Dealing with”, n.d.)Family members often become frightened and confused, when they witness their loved ones going through such phases of life. However, it should be realized that this is a medical illness that can be treated if dealt with prudently. Drugs can alleviate psychosis and proper medication can produce long-term benefits.
Family roles swap over when an adult of a family is a victim. Children take the weight of the world and consider it a responsibility. They realize the uncertain conditions of their adults and take charge. In certain cases, spouses are unwilling to bear the brunt of the relationship and share responsibilities. This gives rise to arguments and conflicts. Home and family neglect, a financial crisis can also strain family relationships. Social network slims down as friends and other family members drift away. (“American Psychiatric”, 2002) (“Dealing with”, n.d.)
Severe psychosocial problems are no alien to bipolar patients. According to an estimate, around 60% of manic highs and depressive lows occur when with family or at work. Divorce rates are twice as high in families with bipolar patients and vocations deteriorate more rapidly compared to normal individuals (“Facts and Figures”, n.d., p. 3).
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder and its effective treatment is a unanimous effort on the part of the sufferer and family members. Patients with the disorder can lead and live successfully if managed properly. It is always wise to consult specialists, undergo medication, seek advice from psychiatrists, and more importantly chart moods to take conscious control of the condition. (David, 2007)
It is imperative for family and friends as well to help their loved ones battle away their conditions. Their undying love and support make for a strong pillar of strength in this lifelong struggle. They can help by working to know the patients better. This can be done by identifying warning signals, mood triggers, and constant reassurance that the illness can be treated. In doing so, they can help patients take charge before the next mood swing relapses. When the sufferer is stable, a future course of action can be chalked out with him. Proper medication and compliance should always be encouraged. Any remarks about suicide must not be left unattended and professional advice should be sought as soon as possible.
Thus with care and tolerance, family members can help their loved ones overcome mood disorders. They should realize that they are the key front runners in this struggle against bipolar disorder. Leaving the patient at bay, divorce, separation should be kept as last resort, and love and care at the helm of all affairs.
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