| An estimated 2 million Americans suffer from | | | | impossible to "fix" the chemical imbalance in the |
| bipolar disease. Unfortunately, many of them | | | | brain and end the possibility for symptoms all |
| make the walk alone, with few others | | | | together. |
| understanding this condition and its impacts on a | | | | * It is treatable. Those who suffer from this |
| person's life. | | | | condition and obtain a correct diagnosis can, in |
| The reality is many people mistakenly believe | | | | fact, lead very normal lives. With the correct |
| those suffering from bipolar disease have control | | | | medications, the mood swings can be brought into |
| over their behavior. They blame the mood swings | | | | check or eliminated entirely. |
| on other things and expect for a person to have | | | | * People who suffer from this condition are not |
| the ability to "snap out of it" or "get it together." | | | | "crazy." While they may act off at times, their |
| Sadly, with a misdiagnoses rate that is extremely | | | | actions have a biological, not psychological root. |
| high and a biological root for the condition, getting | | | | * The condition's potential side effects can be |
| bipolar disease under wraps isn't as easy as many | | | | serious. In and of itself the condition is not fatal, |
| would like to think. There are some basic things | | | | but the various mood swings can have very |
| about bipolar disease anyone with a friend, loved | | | | grave results. Those in a manic phase, for |
| one or co-worker should know. These include: | | | | example, might do something completely out of |
| * A person is not in control. When this disease | | | | character and take risks that can lead to |
| goes without treatment, the person suffering | | | | accidents, injury and even death. In the |
| from it really does not have control of the mood | | | | depressive phase, some people take their own |
| swings or the symptoms that might arise from | | | | lives. |
| them. | | | | * It's an easy condition to get under control. This |
| * It is not totally psychological. Counseling will not | | | | is right and wrong. Once the correct diagnosis has |
| cure this disease. In fact, bipolar symptoms are | | | | been made, it is possible to bring the symptoms |
| tied to a chemical imbalance in the brain. This | | | | into complete check through maintenance |
| means there is a biological root, although not | | | | medications. Unfortunately, the misdiagnosis rate |
| understood, that leads to the periods of ups and | | | | falls in around 70 percent, so completely getting |
| downs. | | | | bipolar disease under control can be a very tricky |
| * This condition presents in swings. The key to | | | | proposition indeed. It is important that the mood |
| spotting bipolar disorder over clinical depression lies | | | | swings be documented and brought up to a |
| in the fact that very abrupt and dramatic mood | | | | doctor. Persistence is often key in having the right |
| swings are present. Those suffering from the | | | | diagnosis made. |
| disorder will present with both manic and | | | | Living with bipolar disease isn't easy. Many of |
| depressive symptoms at times. It's even possible | | | | those who suffer do so alone. When friends, |
| they will behave quite normally, or middle of the | | | | family and even co-workers take the time to |
| road, at others. | | | | understand it better, they are in a better position |
| * There is no known cure. It is currently | | | | to help. |