Bipolar Disorder

is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes. The elevated moods are clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes, or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time.[1] These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood; but, in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, which is known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to such psychotic symptoms as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.

 

Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people experience abnormally elevated (manic or hypomanic) and, in many cases, abnormally depressed states for periods of time in a way that interferes with functioning. Bipolar disorder has been estimated to afflict more than 5 million Americans—about 1 out of every 45 adults.[4] It is equally prevalent in men and women and is found across all cultures and ethnic groups.[5] Not everyone's symptoms are the same, and there is no simple physiological test to confirm the disorder. Bipolar disorder can appear to be unipolar depression. Diagnosing bipolar disorder is often difficult, even for mental health professionals. What distinguishes bipolar disorder from unipolar depression is that the affected person experiences states of mania and depression. Often bipolar is inconsistent among patients because some people feel depressed more often than not and experience little mania whereas others experience predominantly manic symptoms.

 

Bipolar disorder is something that hits really close to home. My dad's mom was borderline bipolar. She apparently spent a great deal of time in hospitals and attempted suicide several times when my dad grew up. He resented her but at the same time went into psychology. Little did he know his daughter would be born with and go through the same things his mother did. My sister began to suffer from clinical depression about 5 years ago. Since then she has gone missing, attempted suicide, been on several medications that have failed, went through ECT treatments and to this day can't remember anything that happened for those months of her life, spent time in hospitals, and spent some time in a children's home. I don't know everything she's been diagnosed with but I believe she's also OCD...but most certainly bipolar as well.

 

Since my sister went through these things (she'll only be 18 in December) I look at the disorder completely differently. It's not about mood swings per say....but it's a disorder about hopes and dreams and disappointment. For periods at a time my family would gain hope that she was getting better-that the medication was working. Then out of nowhere she would attempt suicide or request to be taken to a crisis center for treatment before she attempted suicide. It's not about "oh I'm happy!" "oh I'm sad..." ...it's far deeper than that. So stop yourself next time you call someone "bipolar" cause they're PMSing or something.

 

I can't leave you guys on a bad note though. I want to thank you all for supporting me. This flickr drug can be quite powerful sometimes...and I apologize when I let it get to me. But really what means the most to me is when I realize how many people I inspire. That, to me, is the greatest thing I can do for you guys. I love to answer questions and make tutorials and give you images to inspire you to create your own work. So please don't hesitate to ask me something-anything. I know how difficult it can be to get answers from people on flickr.

 

Again, I thank you guys for the support :) I never imagined I'd be as successful as I am. Some days I may not feel like it...but truly, I am successful.