UNDERSTANDING BIPOLAR DISORDER.

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking and behavior. It has no single cause and certain people are genetically predisposed to the disorder, yet no everyone with an inherit vulnerability develops the illness, indicating that genes are not the only cause.
Some brain imaging studies show physical changes in the brain of people with bipolar disorder.
Other research points to neurotransmitter imbalances, abnormal thyroid function, circadian rhythm disturbances, and high levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
External environmental and psychological factors are also believed to be involved in the development of bipolar disorder. These external factors are called 'triggers.' Trigers can set off new episodes of mania or depression or make existing symptoms worse. However, many bipolar disorders can occur without a trigger.
Celebrities that were diagnosed with Bipolar disorder are the following:
-Mariah Carey was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2001 and lived inn denial and isolation for years. She finally sought treatment after a series of professional issues. She said: "I put positive people around me and I got back to do what I love to do -writing songs and making music."
-Carrie Fisher, known for her role as Princess Leah in the Star Wars movie franchise, got diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 24. She wrote her 1987 novel "Postcards from the Edge "in rehab after a near-fatal drug overdose. She called for more attention and research on the condition. She died of a heart attack in 2016.
-Mel Gibson said in a 2008 documentary that he had bipolar disorder. He bursts onto the scene as an action hero, then branched out into producing and directing two Academy Award nominations. His personal life made headlines when he berated a police officer during a drunken driving arrest in 2006 and pleaded no contest to domestic abuse charges in 2012.
-Demi Lovato, singer and actress in the Disney Channel movie "Camp Rock," admitted herself into a clinic for addiction and self-harm in 2010. It was there she learned she had a bipolar disorder.
-Russell Brand went from stand-up comedy to MTV roles in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Despicable Me." Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder as a youth, Brand lost jobs with both MTV and the BBC for controversial remarks. His marriage to Katy Perry lasted less than 2 years. Bran published his first autobiography in 2007 and detailed his struggles with drug abuse in "Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions" in 2017.
-Brian Wilson, the leader of the California surfing sound, he wrote and produced 9 albums and 16 hit singles in a 3-year span with the Beach Boys. A panic attack on an airplane in 1964 led him to stop touring. A year later, Wilson began experimenting with LSD. His bipolar disorder, discovered years later, left him physically and emotionally unable to compose or tour for decades.
-Kurt Cobain, the co-founder of Nirvana, had attention deficit disorder as a child, then bipolar disorder later. He didn't pursue treatment. Despite success as the leader of Seattle's rock movement, Cobain struggled with depression and committed suicide at age 27 in 1994.
-Jimi Hendrix, the rock guitar legend, got expelled from high school, once stole a car, and lasted just a year in the Army after his commanding officers suggested an early discharge. He later wrote a song called "Manic Depression," which described his trouble with mood swings. Despite his mental health issues, Hendrix's performances at Monterrey and Woodstock still get talked about today. He died at age 27 in 1970.
-Ernest Hemingway, a Novel Prize-winning author was prone to manic-depressive behavior throughout his life, a family trait shared by his parents, his son, and his granddaughter Margaux. Despite his larger-than-life personality and novels like"A Farewell to Arms"and"For Whom the Bells Tolls," Hemingway had bouts of depression and paranoia. Obsessed with death, he eventually shot himself in the head in 1961.
-Ted Turner, the founder of Turner Broadcasting and CNN, has spent much of his life battling bipolar disorder and depression. Despite that, Turner took a small independent television station in Atlanta and turned into a global media conglomerate. At one point, he owned the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, and won the America's Cup.
-Catherine Zeta-Jones, a Welsh-born star, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Chicago" and a Tony Award on her onstage work. She has also been nominated for several Golden Globes. Married to Michael Douglas since 2000, stress during his battle with tongue cancer led to depression and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
-Vivien Leigh, born in England, Leigh's greatest fame came from her iconic portrayal of Scarlet O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind." The wife of acclaimed actor Laurence Olivier, Leigh had a reputation for being difficult on the set. For much of her adult life, she had severe depression and mania. Her treatment was electroshock and therapy.
-Frank Sinatra, from his start as a teen idol to his successful movie and stage career, Sinatra's popularity never waned. He sold more than 150 million records, was Las Vegas headliner and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "From Here to Eternity." Behind the scenes, Sinatra's volatile temper was legendary, as was his charity.
-Sinead O'Connor, the Irish-born singer and songwriter burst onto the music scene in 1990 with the hit single "Nothing Compares 2 U." A performance of Saturday Night Live in 1992 during which she tore up a picture of the pope resulted in widespread criticism. She disclosed that she had bipolar disorder in 2007. Ten years later, she shared a video detailing her struggles with mental illness.
-Jean-Claude Van Damme, a Belgian-born martial arts action film star, started studying karate at 10 and earned his black belt 8 years later. His breakthrough film was 1988's "Bloodsport." Ten years after that, he found out he had bipolar disorder. In 2011, van Damme said he took medication for mood swings that he says he had since childhood.
-Winston Churchill as first lord of the admiralty at the start of World War I and British prime minister in World War II, Churchill rallied people with stirring speeches and radio broadcasts to encourage resistance against Germany. However, he battled his own war against depression, suicidal thoughts and lack of sleep. He called it his "black dog." Despite his condition, he authored 43 books and earned a Nobel Prize in Literature. He died in 1965 at 90.
These people had stressful life events that set off the disorder and maybe some of them had a genetic vulnerability. These events tend to involve drastic or sudden changes -either good or bad.
While substance abuse doesn't cause bipolar disorder, it can bring on an episode and worsen the course of the disease. Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines can trigger mania, while alcohol and tranquilizers trigger depression. Also certain medications, most notably antidepressant drugs, trigger mania. Other drugs that can cause mania include over-the-counter cold medicine, appetite suppressants, caffeine, cortico-steroids, and thyroid medication.
Episodes of mania and depression often follow a seasonal pattern. Manic episodes are more common during the summer, and depressive episodes more common during the fall, winter, and spring. Loss of sleep, even skipping a few hours of rest, can trigger an episode of mania.
Dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder is difficult, and not just for the person with the illness. The moods and behaviors of the affected individual affect everyone around, especially family members and close friends. During a manic episode, you have to cope with reckless antics, outrageous demands, explosive outbursts, and irresponsible decisions. Once the whirlwind of mania has passed, it often falls on you to deal with the consequences.
The good news is that most with bipolar disorder can stabilize their moods with proper treatment, medication, and support. Often just having someone to talk can make all the difference to the person's outlook and motivation.
People with bipolar disorder are often reluctant to seek help because they don't want to feel like a burden to others. Getting better takes time. Do not expect a quick recovery or a permanent cure.
Managing bipolar disorder is a lifelong process. Accepting it involves acknowledging that things may never again be normal. Treatment make a difference but it may not take care of all symptoms or impairments. To avoid disappointments and resentments, it is important to have realistic expectations. Expecting to much of your loved one affected by the disorder is a recipe for failure. On the other hand, expecting too little can also hinder recovery, so try to find a balance between encouraging independence and providing support.
It is important to know that people with bipolar disorder can't control their moods. They can't just snap out of a depression or get a hold of themselves during a manic episode. Neither depression nor mania can be overcome through self-control, willpower, or reasoning. Telling a person to 'stop acting crazy' or 'look at the bright side' won't help. You can't rescue, nor can you force someone to take responsibility for getting better. You can offer support, but ultimately, recovery is in the hands of the person with the illness.
Tips for family and friends to cope during a mania or depressive episode:
- Do not take it personally. When in the midst of an episode, people often say or do things that are hurtful or embarrassing, may be reckless, cruel, critical, and aggressive. When depressed, they may be rejecting, irritable, hostile, and moody. It is hard not to take such behaviors personally, but try to remember that they are symptoms of a mental illness, not the result of selfishness or immaturity.
- Be prepared for destructive behaviors. When manic or depressed, people behave in destructive or irresponsible ways. Planning ahead for how to handle such behavior can help. When your loved one is well, negotiate a treatment contract that gives you advance approval for protecting him/her when symptoms flare up. Agree on specific steps you will take in order to avoid harmful consequences.
People who are manic often feel isolated from other people. Spending even short periods of time with them helps. Do not argue or debate with the person during a manic episode. Avoid intense conversation or arguments. The person often says and does things that he/she would not usually say or do, focusing on negative aspects of others.
To cope with this challenging behavior of your loved one, you have to take care of yourself and exercise self-control as much as you can. Do not give up activities that bring you joy. Talk always to someone you trust about what you are going through. Be realistic about the amount of care you are able to provide without feeling overwhelmed and resentful. Set limits on what you are willing and able to do because letting the disorder take over your life isn't healthy for you or your loved one.