About Me
BiographyBipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
(or, why has the house been completely repainted and why won't you come out from under the bed?)
What is Bipolar Disorder? (The Short Version!)
Bipolar Disorder is another name for Manic Depression. It manifests itself through mood swings, called manias, hypomanias, depressions and/or mixed episodes. Depression and (Hypo)mania can occur in varying degrees ( Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic), and people with Bipolar Disorder generally cycle somewhere between the two extremes. Most Bipolars measure their cycles in terms of years, some having several years in between episodes. However, other Bipolars are rapid, ultra-rapid or ultradian cyclers.For the long version, visit Joy Ikelman's page. She's gathered lots of information on bipolar disorder, including a list of famous bipolars.
My Story
I was diagnosed in Fall of 1995. I am Bipolar I, rapid cycling. My moods follow the same general pattern every year: March to May, Depression; June to September, Mixed; October to January, (Hypo)manic. If you're familiar with the more common Seasonal Affective Disorder, you'll notice that this is odd, since most people tend to get depressed as the amount of daily sunlight decreases. I have very mild symptoms, compared to most. My depressions are generally much more severe than my (hypo)manias, and I've only had one major manic episode. Usually, my only symptoms are limited to increased/decreased energy and sociability.The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder can usually be controlled through medication. For the bulk of the time since my diagnosis I've been taking Depakote and Zoloft, but I've also taken/been prescribed Prozac and Wellbutrin. My last med combo was Depakote and Prozac, which seemed to work pretty well, but the Depakote constantly left me feeling tired and lethargic. Currently, I'm medication-free and controlling my symptoms with behavior modification (i.e. getting enough sleep, not drinking alot of caffeine) because I was recently pregnant . Depakote is contraindicated during pregnancy (translation = has been known to cause problems) and the Prozac is out since Bipolars shouldn't take anti-depressants alone. (It can induce manic episodes.) I've been medication-free for three years and I'm just starting to have more pronounced mood swings.
Further Reading
Books
These are my personal choices for people who'd like to know more about Bipolar Disorder and mental illness. There are many more books available and you can use the form below to search Amazon.com if you'd like to look for others.An Unquiet Mind, A Memoir of Moods and Madness By Kay Redfield Jamison
From Kay Redfield Jamison - an international authority on manic-depressive illness, and one of the few women who are full professors of medicine at American Universities - a remarkable personal testimony: the revelation of her own struggle since adolescence with manic depression, and how it shaped her life. With vivid prose and wit, she takes us into the fascinating and dangerous territory of this form of madness - a world in which one pole can be the alluring dark land ruled by what Byron called the "melancholy star of the imagination," and the other a desert of depression and, all too frequently, death.
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Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
In the late 1960s, the author spent nearly two years on the ward for teenage girls at McLean Hospital, a renowned psychiatric facility. Her memoir encompasses horror and razor-edged perceptions, while providing vivid portraits of her fellow patients and their keepers. "Searing . . . captures an exquisite range of self-awareness between madness and insight."--Boston Globe.
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Prozac Nation : Young and Depressed in America : A Memoir
Elizabeth Wertzel writes with her finger in the faint pulse of a generation whose ruling icons are Kurt Cobain, Xanax, and pierced tongues. A memoir of her bouts with depression and skirmishes with drugs, Prozac Nation still manages to be a witty and sharp account of the psychopharmacology of an era.
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The Quiet Room; A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness - Lori Schiller, Amanda Bennett
Schiller's gripping, heart-rending and ultimately triumphant story of her journey into madness and back to reality is told through the voices of Lori and her family, friends and doctor, and captures a rare, astoundingly vivid view into the inner life of a schizophrenic.
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We Heard the Angels of Madness : A Family Guide to Coping With Manic Depression by Diane Berger, Lisa Berger (Contributor), Diane Bergerm, Alexander Vuckovic
When 18-year-old Mark returned home from college, his family thought he was on drugs. In fact, he was suffering from manic depression. This is the intimate, inspiring story of how Mark's family coped with his illness and the valuable information they gathered about manic depression: up-to-date, useful facts on drugs, doctors, therapy, insurance and other resources.
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My Many Colored Days - Seuss , Lou Fancher , Steve Johnson
The late Dr. Seuss wrote the text for this wonderful book about feelings and moods back in 1973 but didn't want to illustrate it himself. He hoped "a great color artist who will not be dominated by me" could be found to bring to it a "new art style and pattern of thinking." The good news is that just such a person, or, rather, persons have been found. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher have provided paintings that not only enhance the text but take the reader on a captivating journey of their own. This book will delight children of all ages and is a terrific tool to encourage discussions of emotions.
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The Depression Workbook: A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression - Mary Ellen Copeland
This book is based on the responses of 120 survey participants who share their insights, experiences, and strategies for living with extreme mood swings. Interactive exercises teach essential coping skills such as building a strong support system, bolstering self-esteem, fighting negative thoughts, finding appropriate professional help, and using relaxation and exercise.
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Living Without Depression and Manic Depression : A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability by Mary Ellen Copeland
More than 11 million people suffer from depression in the U.S. each year. Now, this guidebook presents new ways to cope with depression and hold it at bay. Based on a study of patients diagnosed with major depression or manic-depression who have avoided serious recurrences for over two years, this guide offers proven techniques for staying well.
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A Mood Apart : The Thinker's Guide to Emotion and Its Disorders by Peter C. Whybrow
Brimming with moving case studies of patients grappling with mood disorders, this revolutionary work by one of the country's most distinguished psychiatrists offers a ground breaking look at depression, mania, and the moods that affect us all.
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Useful Links
Pendulum's Bipolar Disorder / Manic-Depression Pages -- A WONDERFUL resource! Many, many pages of information, links and such. There is also a Pendulum Mailing List, and this page includes information on subscribing.Joy Ikelman's Info on Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) -- Joy's page is a treasure trove of information. It includes a list of famous living and deceased Bipolars.
The Bipolar Planet -- Leslie's page is less serious than the others, but is still a great place to visit. It includes poetry, stories and art work from people on the Pendulum Mailing List.
Mental Health Net - All About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder -- Info from www.mentalhealth.com, including an online diagnosis feature and links to several articles.
Catching a Darkness - A photo essay by Boris Dolan of his sister's manic episode. It says more than I ever could. Breathtaking.