BIPOLAR DISORDER AWARENESS

from the National Institute of Mental Health

Who is affected by bipolar disorder?
·         Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. (National Institute of Mental Health)
·         The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years (National Institute of Mental Health), although the illness can start in early childhood or as late as the 40’s and 50’s.
·         An equal number of men and women develop bipolar illness and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.
·         Women and people with bipolar II disorder are significantly more likely to experience periods of rapid cycling than men with the same condition. (Damone, A. L., Joham, A. E., Loxton, D., Earnest, A., Teede, H. J., & Moran, L. J. (2018).

Bipolar Medication & the Creativity Question

By Bruce Goldstein

I delayed treatment—and mood stability—because I feared that medication for bipolar disorder would squander my creativity and imagination. Read more here:

Bipolar Medication & the Creativity Question | bpHope.com

bphope article

"Moving from Regret to Acceptance"

- Robin L. Flanigan

Moving from Regret to Acceptance
By Robin L. Flanigan

Senior writer, bphope newsletters

“It’s toughest to forgive ourselves. So, it’s probably best to start with other people. It’s almost like peeling an onion. Layer by layer, forgiving others, you really do get to the point where you can forgive yourself.” —Patty Duke, actress and mental health advocate with bipolar

It can be much easier to do things for others than for ourselves—and that includes offering forgiveness.

Instead, we can tend to hang onto shame and regret, especially after a bipolar episode, and avoid taking responsibility for our behavior, which would help us move on.

“Regret is a powerful and potentially devastating emotion,” says Michael Craig Miller, MD.

Here’s where the power of self-forgiveness comes in.

Studies have shown that the inability to self-forgive can be a factor in depression, anxiety, and a weakened immune system. According to therapist Keir Brady, that’s because beating ourselves up strengthens feelings of guilt and shame and reinforces the belief that we’re inherently flawed.

On the other hand, says Brady: “Self-forgiveness enables you to separate who you are from the mistakes you have made. This way, you can begin to learn from your choices and find ways to make amends when possible.”

In fact, as psychology researchers from Baylor University found, making amends makes self-forgiveness easier.

To take ownership of our actions and gradually move to a place of self-compassion and growth, Helen Brown, PhD, suggests fostering benevolent thoughts and emotions, as well as actively trying to make things right by repairing relationships and reaffirming any moral values that were broken.

No one is perfect. We’re going to make mistakes. However, learning from them helps cultivate an inner strength that can be used during—and after—the next mood episode.

When bphope blogger Carin Meyer comes out of a mood cycle, she writes down a list of her qualities: “I remind myself that bipolar does not define me,” she says, “that it is a biological disorder, and—most importantly, that I am a good person.”

From Regret to Self-Forgiveness | bpHope.com

bphope video link

'Managing Bipolar Disorder in Times of Stress'

One of the most common triggers for bipolar mood episodes is stress. To re-stabilize, experts recommend examining your sleep, routine, and emergency preparedness.
By Melvin G. McInnis, MD, FRCPsych

Video Link

8 Best Quotes about Bipolar Disorder from Kay Redfield Jamison

By Tanya Hvilivitzky
Last Updated: 1 Jul 2021

8 Best Quotes from Kay Redfield Jamison about Bipolar Disorder | bpHope.com

Bipolar Symptoms

13 Bipolar Disorder Symptoms You Need to Know, According to Psychologists

Click on this link to view a slide show:

13 Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, According to Psychologists | Health.com

ORGANIZATIONS & WEBSITES

· www.nimh.nih.gov National Institute for Mental Health, NIH, Department of H&HS

· www.nami.org National Alliance for Mental Health

· www.dbsalliance.org Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

· www.ibpf.org International Bipolar Foundation

· www.apa.org American Psychology Association – publishes the DSM5 – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (The Bible used by practitioners for diagnoses.)

· www.bphope.com bipolar website publishes daily articles as well as bp magazine.

· www.themighty.com another bipolar website that publishes daily articles as well.

· www.betterhelp.com online therapy group that has licensed psychologists. Chat online, text, e-mail, phone contact.