The Broken Cycle

Bywena

The world of the mentally ill through the eyes of compassion and understanding

 

Medications for Bipolar Disorder

Patients with bipolar disorder cycle between mood extremes extreme depression and mania.  There are no means of curing bipolar disorder, but various medications have been developed to manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Medication is used to minimize mood swings, the severity of symptoms and help patients maintain a normal mood. Lithium, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics are often prescribed; antidepressants should not be used, as they can cause a rapid mood shift from depression to mania.

Lithium is a mood stabilizer and the first approved medication for bipolar disorder. Lithium treats the symptoms of mania, but it can also manage depression symptoms. Most of the side effects of lithium are stomach distress, such as diarrhea, stomach pain and increased urination. Other side effects include weight gain, drowsiness, tremor, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and excessive thirst.

Anticonvulsants, like valproic acid, lamotrigine, topiratol and carbamazepine, are used as mood stabilizers; these medications are used when lithium is not effective or cannot be tolerated. Side effects from these medications include drowsiness, tremors, weight gain, diarrhea, dizziness and nausea. Lamotrigine may also cause skin rashes one which can be fatal.

Antipsychotics are another type of medication option for bipolar disorder, such as olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, ziprasidone and clozapine including others. Antipsychotics have side effects similar to other bipolar disorder medications, which are drowsiness and weight gain.  Constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, and sexual dysfunction may also occur.  Many of these side effects are temporary, once the body adjusts to the medication they will go away.

Antipsychotics used to treat bipolar disorder, such as olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine, may cause unusual or rapid heartbeats.

For a time one of the most commonly prescribed medication for bipolar treatment was an antipsychotic called quetiapine.  Quetiapine, as with other antipsychotics, works by altering brain chemicals. Besides the treatment of bipolar disorder, it is used for schizophrenia and major depression,

Topiramate was the second most commonly prescribed medication for bipolar disorder. It can act as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy as well as a mood stabilizer for bipolar patients. Like other mood stabilizers, topiramate helps balance or minimize the highs and lows.

Lamotrigine is the third most often prescribed medication for bipolar treatment. It is similar to topiramate as both mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant medication. The medication lengthens the periods of cycles between depression and mania, and is used as a maintenance drug. Lamotrigine is more effective in the less serious, bipolar disorder II disorder.

The antipsychotic risperidone is highly used for bipolar disorder however; risperidone should not be prescribed for elderly dementia patients because of high mortality rates.

Divalproex sodium was available in both the immediate and extended release and was the third most popular prescription for bipolar treatment.

Medications prescribed for bipolar disorder patients also include the antipsychotics olanzapine and ziprasidone, and the antidepressant paroxetine.

These medications re fairly new and the information on the effectiveness on bipolar disorder are still not understood on how they work on the brain.  The common side effects are still being discovered and they vary from person to person.  Any concerns, if you are on one of these medications should be addressed to your doctor.  Blood tests are necessary for some of them to lessen the risk of toxicity.  Most of these medications have been proven to be beneficial for bipolar patients even with the risks of side effects. 

What is Stress

Stress is your body's way of responding to any kind of demand. It can be caused by both good and bad experiences. When people feel stressed by something going on around them, their bodies react by releasing chemicals into the blood. This can be a problem, if stress is a response to emotional onset and there is no outlet for extra energy and strength.

There many different things that can cause stress physical such as fear of something dangerous to emotional such as worry over life’s difficulties Identifying what may be causing you stress is the first step in learning how to deal with your stress.

Internal Stress is when you worry about things that you can do nothing about or worrying for no reason at all. This is internal stress and it is one type of stress that you need to understand and manage. This kind of stress often happens when put ourselves in situations we know will cause us stress. Some people lead a hurried, tense, lifestyle that results in being under stress.

Environmental Stress is a response to things around you that cause stress, such as noise, crowding, and pressure from work or family. Identifying these environmental stresses and learning to avoid them or deal with them will help lower your stress level.

Fatigue and overwork, this form of stress builds up over a long time and can be detrimental to your body. It can be caused by working too much at your job, school, or home. It can also be caused by not managing your lifestyle to include rest and relaxation. This can be one of the most difficult kinds of stress to avoid because many people feel this is out of their control.

Stress can affect both your body and your mind. People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, and unable to concentrate or think clearly.

Long-term stressful situations can produce a lasting, low-level stress which has a negative effect on people. The nervous system senses continued pressure and may remain slightly activated and continue to pump out extra stress hormones over an extended period. This can wear out the body's reserves, causing a person to feel feeling overwhelmed and drained, it weaken the body's immune system, and cause other physical problems.

Recognizing when you are feeling stressed is an important step in learning ways to cope with it. Early warning signs of stress include tension in your shoulders and neck, or headaches and chronic insomnia.

To reduce stress you must change the way you deal with your stress. One way is to avoid the event or thing that leads to your stress. A second way is to change how you react to stress.

Stress is in our daily lives and can lead to all sorts of complications physically and mentally.  A regime of healthy living, avoiding triggers and learning a more constructive way to cope with stress in your daily life can avoid serious consequences.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a debilitating disorder in which the Agoraphobics are not necessarily afraid of open spaces; they are afraid of having panicking, wherever these fearful feelings may occur. Many may happen at home, in church, or in crowded supermarkets.

Agoraphobia is a condition which develops when a person begins to avoid spaces or situations associated with anxiety. Phobic situations may be driving, shopping, crowded places, traveling, standing in line, being alone, meetings and social gatherings.

Agoraphobia occurs when an internal anxiety condition that has become so intense that the suffering individual fears going anywhere or doing anything where these feelings of panic have occurred before. Once the panic attacks have started, these episodes are an ongoing stress, even when other more obvious pressures have diminished. This generally leads to increased panic attacks and, for some people, an increase in the situations or events which can produce the feelings. Others experience fearful feelings continuously, more an overall feeling of discomfort instead of panic.

A person may fear having anxiety attacks or embarrassing themselves in certain situations. Many people remain in a painful state of anxious worry because of these fears. Some become restricted or housebound while others function normally but with great difficulty.

Agoraphobia is a severe anxiety condition and a phobia, as well as avoidant behavior.

Agoraphobia usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Females, low-income populations, and individuals who are widowed, separated, or divorced are at increased risk of developing agoraphobia.

Having a history of panic attacks is a risk factor for developing agoraphobia, agoraphobic individuals are at increased risk for developing panic attacks also. Other anxiety disorders that tend to co occur with agoraphobia can be social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

When the signs and symptoms of anxiety are not easily, quickly, and clearly relieved and are so severe that you believe medication may be needed; and the symptoms are interfering with your personal, social, or professional life a doctor should be consulted.

When the signs and symptoms of anxiety have been present for a prolonged period and appear to be stable or the symptoms are severe and come on suddenly, they may indicate serious medical illness.

Social Anxiety Disorder

 Social anxiety is the fear of situations where a person must interact with other people. The person has a fear of being judged and and the opinions of other people.

People with social anxiety are seen by others as being shy, quiet, aloof, inhibited, unfriendly, nervous, and disinterested.  

People who have social anxiety are prevented from being able to do the things they want to do; because of the anxiety that inhibits them from participating in social settings. 

Social anxiety is a treatable condition and can be overcome.

 People with social anxiety usually experience considerable distress when faced with certain triggers for example: being introduced to other people ; being  criticized; being the center of attention ;  being observed while doing something; meeting people in authority. They feel insecure and out of place in social situations; they are embarrassed easily; and fail to meet other people in the eyes.

The feelings that accompany social anxiety include anxiety, intense fear, nervousness, unconscious negative thinking, racing heart, excessive sweating, dry mouth, trembling, and muscle twitches. A constant, intense anxiety is the most common occurrence.

High rates of alcoholism and other substance abuse, family difficulties and problems, lack of personal relationships, and difficulty in obtaining and continuing with employment are among the everyday problems experienced by many people with social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety is many times mixed up with panic disorder. People with social anxiety  do not experience panic attacks, in which the prominent fear is of having a medical problem . A person suffering from social anxiety does have insight. People with social anxiety realize that it is anxiety and fear that they are experiencing.

Social anxiety is a treatable condition and can be overcome.

 Cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety has been extremely effective. With therapy there    is success in changing the thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behavior.  The use of cognitive therapy with a behavioral therapy group also shows accomplishment in alleviating the distress of the disorder.  A combination of both therapies relieves the anxiety symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder.

Medication for social anxiety is useful for many people with social anxiety disorder.  The use of anti anxiety drugs and some antidepressants in conjunction with therapy has proven to be beneficial.   

The prognosis for this disorder is extremely good. Therapy is not difficult and person continuing commitment to getting better can ensure recovery. Social anxiety treatment that includes behavioral therapy group enables members to work on their fears in the group and later in real-life situations.

A History of Hearing Voices

Written history of the Western world dates back almost 3,000 years. And for almost all of that time hearing voices was valued by society.

During the Trojan War the Gods spoke to warriors caused them to quarrel, incited the battle, encouraged them to do combat and planned the battle strategies.

Shrines were throughout the country where oracles spoke to voices for guidance and religious insight. Socrates heard voices that guided him through daily life.

Christianity and the start of a monotheism shows the incidences of hearing voices as an acceptance of humility and a test of faith. In the beginning  of the Bible Gods voice was first heard in Genesis and let there be light from that point on  it is written in the bible that God spoke to prophets and as in Abraham; leave your home and build a great nation. Abraham heard Gods voice telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac then prevents him from committing the act. The voice of god led Moses through the desert and hands to him the law of Israel. Moses on the mountain heard the word of God through the burning bush; auditory and visual hallucinations.

God spoke to the holy prophets Isaiah to Malachi and compels them to carry messages from God through their country.

A prophet is an individual who has been contacted by the Divine to speak for them to humanity, delivering knowledge of the deity to other people. Prophets have existed in many cultures through out history; including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Ancient Greece, and others.

Jesus Christ is the word of god in Christian teachings Saint Augustine and saint Thomas Aquinas heard voices the divine voice runs through Christian history.

At some point the voices stopped speaking around the 18^th century the cultures changed their way of thinking about voices.  No longer was it considered acceptable or a valuable gift.  The changes in the viewpoint of prophets and hearing voices took on a meaning of lunacy and the prophets were driven from society or confined to church walls.  Are the voices an indication of a mental illness? Perhaps at times there can come from a human the word of a Divinity with the power to change our world with insight and a belief in something that is beyond our own capabilities.  Hallucinations; voices; prophecy.

Music Therapy and Mental Disorders

Music therapy has been used in both adults and children with psychiatric disorders. It has been used to adjust certain behaviors that appear in various mental disorders. It has been shown that it can reduce agitation in patients with dementia.  Music therapy has been used in patients with Parkinson's disease to improve motor skills and emotional problems. Music therapy has been proven to be effective in alleviating grief and in easing the pains of depression

Music therapy can help a person to recover faster when it is applied to the people, who are mentally ill, have difficulties with their studies, and with the chronically ill. Different types of music can be used for different diagnoses and serve this purpose.

Music therapies can be combined with other arts, such as painting, poetry, dancing using it for relaxation exercises. Music therapy helps members of a group to better understand each other.  For individual therapy, music can be chosen according to the person’s state and attitude towards music.  The abilities of the mentally ill persons can be improved and developed. Each person’s feelings and will make it easier for them to reveal and provide them better perspectives of life.

 Music therapy is often considered to be of great help to the members of a support group and prevent severe consequences of some disorders and repeated treatment has been found to make a patient less dependent on medicine and diminishes the possibility of suicide attempts.

The type of music for example low key, relaxing music seems to be likely to lower your stress levels and prove to be beneficial.  Music may be useful as a means of relaxation or group discussion motivation. Music therapy is used for extensive healing even intensive care patients. Music therapy is used to reduce stress and anxiety and helps the patient to learn stress management.

Music can help regain confidence in one’s life, as well as improve their self esteem levels. It can give a person peace of mind. The use of music for those with anxiety and stress shows a reduction and positive changes in both mood and emotional state.  Music has a soothing effect on its patients and helps them to reach in their inner-self. The benefits of music therapy include that of reduced stress, anxiety, and pain. The style of music that the person finds appealing is important in music therapy as well; not only the tone but lyrics matters a lot in healing a person.

Listening to positive lyrics can result in relaxing your mind and thinking positively but listening to negative lyrics can have opposite effect. It allows you to listen to your emotions and understand what you are feeling. Slow music is said to cause a soothing effect while the opposite happens if you listen to fast music.

Music plays an enormous role in the lives of human beings. Combining music therapy into regular therapy programs for psychiatric disorders can help speed recovery and also help make therapy a more positive experience. Music therapy is a valuable and becoming a more used asset in the field of psychiatry and psychotherapy

Antipsychotic Medication and Mental Illnesses

Psychiatric disorders can be pose risk factors for diabetes and can cause complications with a condition of diabetes. Antipsychotic medications that are used to treat psychiatric disorders are associated with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic medical illness and is often associated with several psychiatric disorders. Antipsychotic medications are a vital treatment of the medication management of severe psychiatric disorders.  

The co occurrence of diabetes and psychiatric disorders is thought to be related to several factors. A diagnosis of diabetes can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and lowered self-esteem. In individuals who have psychiatric disorders the complications are even greater.

Antipsychotic medications are widely used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. The treatment for psychotic disorders and is of schizophrenia and to prevent relapses; and is treatment for manic and mixed phases of bipolar disorder.

The use of antipsychotics is linked to an increase of weight gain. Atypical antipsychotics, including those that are less likely to induce weight gain, have a greater effect on weight gain in children and adolescents. Among children and adolescents treated for schizophrenia, autism there is significant weight gain has been associated with the use of medication. Many patients with schizophrenia may have diabetes and be unaware of it.

 Schizophrenia is a devastating illness, it occurs at an early age. These medications often prevent a severe disability and inhibit aggressive and dangerous behavior.

Antipsychotic medications are used in those with bipolar disorder as a short term treatment to control psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. These symptoms may occur during acute mania or severe depression.

In people with bipolar disorder, antipsychotics are also used as sedatives, for insomnia, for anxiety, and for agitation. They can be taken with a mood stabilizing drug and can decrease symptoms of mania until mood stabilizers take full effect. Some antipsychotic drugs may also help lessen bipolar depression.

Some of the newer antipsychotics seem to help stabilize moods on their own. As a result, they may be used alone as long-term treatment for people who don't tolerate or respond to lithium and anticonvulsants.

Antipsychotic drugs help balance certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is not clear exactly how these drugs work, but they usually improve manic episodes quickly.

The newer antipsychotics faster acting and can help avoid reckless and impulsive behaviors associated with mania. More normal thinking often is restored relatively fast with a response often in a week.

Certain antipsychotic drugs cause high cholesterol levels, and they may increase the risk of diabetes.

Common side effects of antipsychotic medications include: Blurred vision; dry mouth; drowsiness; muscle spasms or tremor; involuntary facial tics

Older antipsychotic drugs may be helpful if a person has severe side effects or does not respond to the newer drugs. These drugs may cause serious long term side effects called tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements like protruding the tongue, or grimacing.

The benefits of an antipsychotic medication for a may outweigh the potential risks, even when those risks include diabetes. 

Low Self Esteem and Mental Illness

Mental health research shows that depression is a reaction to a mental illness.  Low self-esteem is another reaction.  Studies suggest that stigma strongly influences the self esteem of people who have mental illnesses. When, you have a mental illness, you are rejected as a friend, an employee, a neighbor, or an intimate partner. You are determined to be a person who is less trustworthy, less intelligent, and less competent. Feeling good about yourself and the situation you find yourself in contributes to low self esteem and self stigma.

The relationship between low self esteem and psychiatric diagnosis is a vicious cycle.  Low self esteem makes individuals susceptible to develop psychiatric conditions, particularly depressive disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. These disorders subsequently lower self-esteem even further.

Stigma is a contributing factor to maintaining low self esteem. In some cases where the emotional hurt is long lasting, a therapist is needed to guide you through the process of learning to love yourself. It takes time and patience and having a support system with the people in your life who 
have a positive influence to improve your self-esteem.

Low self esteem is the view or belief that one has of oneself as inadequate, unlovable, unworthy and incompetent. Once this view of one’s self is formed it affects everything in the person’s life: his decision making, his ambition, his creativity, his assertiveness, his choices, his dreams. In recovery, a person becomes able to see themselves in a more positive and objective manner rather than through the negative thoughts.  Once a person develops an image as inadequate they treat themselves and expect to be treated with the same self destructive behaviors.  They are overly critical and inwardly agree with others people’s criticisms and anticipate rejection, expect to be ignored or mistreated and believe that they have caused the negative reactions or inappropriate behavior of others. When someone behaves in ways similar to the negative ways they have already experienced,  this as confirmation of  inadequacy, lack of significance, and then proceeds to engage in irrational and distorted self-statements that bring on additional negative feelings.

A lack of self esteem signs can be seen as: If you have a pattern of self defeating behavior. If you have a tendency to trust the wrong people or to make poor choices; are dissatisfied with your relationships and interactions with other people;  have been told that you are overly sensitive; are unhappy, depressed, and discouraged and have been most of your life  often anxious in new situation; fearful that you will be asked a question you don’t know how to respond to, or will be asked to do something that you don’t know how to do; lack confidence and the skills to do things that most other people seem to know how to do;  feel inadequate or unacceptable around others. If you are reluctant to share your ideas and opinions when in group; compare yourself to others; feel insecure.

In recovery, people with low self esteem become able to ask for what they want and need rather than expecting the other person to just know. They learn to discuss and work through problems and disagreements rather than merely react; they develop basic relationship skills. It is a long process of learning the way out of the norm that has become a part of life but therapy helps lift the self defeating attitudes and behaviors and give more realistic opinions of oneself.


When the truthful more realistic expectation s of themselves and others become a foundation in therapy the persons self esteem can gradually progress to self confidence and self love.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

This type of psychotherapy can prevent mood swings by changing thoughts and behaviors. Learning how to help managing and living with bipolar disorder.

Treatment for bipolar disorder involves medication, a balanced lifestyle and often combined with psychotherapy. One effective type of therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can help improve and change the way a person thinks, feels, and acts, and can possibly prevent a mood swing or lessen the severity.

The basis of cognitive behavioral therapy is centered on ideas, thoughts that cause feelings and behavior, not external influences such as other people, events, or situations. Negative or unrealistic thoughts can trigger an episode of depression or mania in a person with bipolar disorder.

This type of therapy provides methods of managing symptoms of depression or mania and preventing relapses,

 People in cognitive behavioral therapy have to fully understand bipolar disorder and the importance of sticking to their medications.

 With a therapist the person works on eliminating negative or unattainable positive thoughts. For example, a person in a manic state can misjudge the risky behaviors and their consequences. The therapist will help the person challenge thoughts that counteract with the persons ideas that appears in mania that are taken too lightly. These types of thoughts can lead to excessive spending sprees, or other actions that could have consequences. People with bipolar disorder may also have negative thoughts that distort situations that can lead to depression. Learning to spot and stop the thoughts and replace them with more realistic ones can improve their mood.

When combined with medication treatment cognitive behavioral therapy can make the road to recovery less painful and hasten the goal to relieve one’s symptoms.  Although medication is the primary treatment often the person can significantly reduce the cycling of their moodswings.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is often hard to tell apart from any other types of mood disorders because of related symptoms’ that they have in common.

Understanding all of the different symptoms of each of the mental illness and mood disorder can help you distinguish which mood disorder you may have. A through study of your symptoms is important in evaluating and recognizing what you may be feeling is necessary for the doctor to be able to develop a treatment which is varied by each individual. You need a diagnosis for which disorder you may have but by understanding the symptom and disorder can assist you in discussing it with the doctor and prepare you for the interview. Use the information that you find to help determine which signs and symptoms you are experiencing.

Give the doctor your opinion about the research you have done and any to the symptoms you are experiencing.

A journal kept daily can help the you and your doctor to understand the different symptoms and when they are occurring this will be of assistance to the doctor and the treatment plan can facilitate the doctor in giving you the correct treatment and diagnosis you need..

There are several types of bipolar disorder; all involve episodes of depression and mania. They include bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, mixed bipolar, and rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

A person with bipolar I disorder has had at least one manic episode in his or her life. A manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood, accompanied by abnormal behavior that disrupts life.

Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over time. But in bipolar II disorder, the highs or elevated moods never reach euphodria or a full blown mania.

In rapid cycling, a person with bipolar disorder experiences four or more episodes of mania or depression in one year. People with bipolar disorder who have rapid cycling are not that commonly seen.

In most bipolar disorders, moods alternate between elevated and depressed over time. But with mixed bipolar disorder, a person experiences both mania and depression simultaneously or in rapid sequence.

Cyclothymia is a fairly mild mood disorder. People with cyclothymic disorder have milder symptoms than in full blown bipolar disorder.

Whichever disorder you may think you may or show symptoms that are similar to what you may be experiencing it need to be treated.  The life is never easy for bipolar but educating yourself can be the first steps to recovery

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders refer to a category of mental health disorders that include all types of depression and bipolar disorder. Mood disorders are sometimes called affective disorders.

Mental health professionals recognize symptoms of mood disorders in children and adolescents, as well as adults. However, children and adolescents do not necessarily experience or exhibit the same symptoms as adults. It is more difficult to diagnose mood disorders in children, especially because children are not always able to express how they feel. At any age, mood disorders put individuals at risk for other conditions at any age these symptoms may persist long after the initial episodes of depression are resolved.

What causes mood disorders is not well known. There are chemicals in the brain that are responsible for positive moods. Most likely, depression and other mood disorders are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Life events may also contribute to a depressed mood.

Affective disorders sometimes run in families and are considered to be inherited. The factors that produce the trait or condition are usually both genetic and environmental, involving a combination of genes from both parents.

Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times. However, mood disorders are more intense and difficult to manage than normal feelings of sadness. Children, adolescents, or adults who have a parent with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder. Life events and stress can trigger feelings of sadness or depression, making the feelings more difficult. These life events and stress can bring on feelings of sadness or depression or make a mood disorder harder.

When a person in the family has this diagnosis, the chance for their siblings or children to have the same diagnosis is increased. In addition, relatives of persons with manic depression are also at increased risk for depression.

The most common types of mood disorders are: major depression a depressed or irritable mood or a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in usual activities, along with other signs of a mood disorder; dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)  a chronic, low-grade, depressed or irritable mood; manic depression (bipolar disorder) episodes of  depressed or irritable mood and a mania (persistently elevated) mood; mood disorder due to a general medical condition - many medical illnesses including cancer, injuries, infections, and chronic medical illnesses can trigger symptoms of depression; substance induced mood disorder  symptoms of depression that are due to the effects of medication, drug abuse, exposure to toxin.

Depending upon age and the type of mood disorder present, a person may exhibit different symptoms of depression. The most common symptoms of a mood disorder are: persistent feelings of sadness; feeling hopeless or helpless; low self-esteem; feeling inadequate; excessive guilt; feelings of wanting to die; loss of interest in usual activities or activities once enjoyed; difficulty with relationships; sleep disturbances, insomnia, hypersomnia; changes in appetite or weight; decreased energy; difficulty concentrating; inability to make decisions; irritability, hostility, aggression

In mood disorders, these feelings appear more intense than what a person may normally feel from time to time; if these feelings continue over a period of time. Any person who expresses thoughts of suicide it is important to act immediately.

Mood disorders can often be effectively treated. Treatment may include: antidepressant medications combined with psychotherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of depression. Cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy that is focused on changing the individual's distorted views of themselves and the environment around them, working through difficult relationships, and identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them.

Preventive measures to reduce the incidence of mood disorders are not known at this time. Early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for persons with mood disorders.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder is a chronic condition characterized by numerous hypomanic episodes and periods of depressive symptoms.   The intervals between episodes can be from weeks to months when a person returns to their normal state. The hypomanic episodes and depressive symptoms are not due to a medical condition, medication, illegal drug, or psychotic disorder. The hypomanic episodes can intensify into a manic episode or a mixed episode; also the depressive symptoms can intensify into major depressive episodes

There is significant distress or impairment in important functioning as result of the mood disturbance.

Cyclothymic disorder is often associated with an increased risk of having substance abuse disorders, sleep Disorders and bipolar I or II disorder. 

 This disorder is more common in women and men. \

Cylothymic disorder usually has an onset in adolescence or early adult life. It often develops into prolonged periods of cyclical, often unpredictable mood changes; the person may be thought as temperamental, moody, unpredictable, inconsistent, or unreliable. The disorder is usually chronic, and has a risk that the person will eventually develop Bipolar I or II disorder.

Cyclothymic disorder like Bipolar I and II is more common in the first-degree biological relatives of individuals with Bipolar I Disorder.

The most important step in the treatment of this disorder is to prevent alcohol or drug abuse. Medication often is ineffective when the individual is still abusing alcohol or drugs.

The treatment of Cyclothymic disorder is generally the medications that are effective in treating Bipolar I disorder. Mood stabilizers have been shown to be effective. Antidepressant medication has been shown to be effective in the treatment of this disorder.

Cyclothymia disorder is thought to be a relatively mild mood disorder. Compared to more serious mood disorders, the mood symptoms of cyclothymia are less severe than other mood disorders.

Prognosis for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar is a severe mental illness. It can be mild with only a few episodes. Or occur for more frequently with more debilitating symptoms. People with the illness experience symptoms in different ways. The usual for people with bipolar Disorder is 8 to 10 manic or depressive episodes over a lifetime. Some people experience more and some fewer episodes.

In most cases in bipolar disorder, the depressive episodes outnumber manic episodes, and the cycles of mania and depression are unpredictable. Many patients experience a mixed state, in which both mania and depression coexist.

A small percentage of bipolar patients have a complicated phase known as rapid cycling. With this type of the disorder the manic and depressive episodes alternate for at least four times a year and, in severe cases, can even progress to several cycles a day. Rapid cycling occurs more often in women and in those with bipolar II. Typically, rapid cycling starts in the depressive phase, and frequent and severe episodes of depression. This type of disorder is difficult to treat, especially because antidepressants can trigger the switch to mania and bring about an episode of mania. This is drug induced and can happen at any time even if the drug had been used before.

 Research shows that symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents differ from those of adults. Adults with bipolar disorder usually have distinct and persistent periods of mania and depression. Children with bipolar disorder fluctuate rapidly in their mood and behavior. Mania in children is seen as irritability and belligerence whereas adults tend to experience euphoria. Children with bipolar depression are frequently angry and restless, and may have additional mood and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and substance abuse problems.

How frequently childhood bipolar disorder lasts or if treating childhood bipolar disorder can help prevent future illness is unknown.

Is it Depression

Most of us feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. Feeling depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or s poor self esteem.  When these feelings are overwhelming and last for an abnormal length of time, and your normal life is disrupted, it is time to find help from a doctor.

If left untreated, symptoms of clinical depression can last for years. They can cause suffering and possibly lead to suicide. Approximately half the people who experience symptoms never do get diagnosed or treated for their depression.

It is possible that you are not aware that you are depressed. Depression can begin gradually, without a person realizing that depressive thoughts and feelings are slowly dominating their life.

Not getting treatment can be life threatening. More than one out of every 10 people with major depression commits suicide.

Some of the  symptoms of depression are; difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions; fatigue and decreased energy; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness; feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism; insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping; irritability, restlessness; loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable; overeating or appetite loss; persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment; persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings; thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts Warning signs of suicide with depression are when there ;is sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy; abnormal thoughts about death; sadness, loss of interest; trouble sleeping and eating that gets worse; losing interest in things one used to care about; talking about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless; talking about suicide.

Depression can be treated most of the time the person can have a complete recovery/

When you’re depressed, it can feel like you will never feel better. But even the most severe depression is treatable. With the right help and support, you can and will feel better.

There are many ways to deal with depression, exercise, psychotherapy, medication, natural supplements, and lifestyle changes. Learning about the treatment options will help you decide what measures are most likely to work best for your particular situation and needs. There are no quick fixes or instant cures, but if you are willing to work on yourself and seek treatment, you will return to your normal way of life sooner than you think.

 There is no set cure for depression/ and what works for one person might not work for another. The best way to treat depression is to educate your self about the illness and learn the possible treatment options, for the one that suits your needs.  It is important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to a medical condition. The severity of your depression is a significant factor, the more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment you will need.

The right treatment can take a long time. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and support that works best for you.  Medication can relieve the symptoms of depression, I but is not always suitable for long-term use. Exercise and therapy, can be just as effective as medication. Medication works best when you adopt a change of lifestyle also..

 Regular exercise can be as effective as treating depression as medication. A half an hour daily walk can make a big difference. Eating well is important for both physical and mental health. Eating well balanced meals throughout the day will help you keep your energy up and minimize mood swings. Sleep has an effect on mood. When you don't get enough sleep, your depression symptoms can be worse. It can be a challenge to make lifestyle changes part of your daily life. But if your depression is governing your lifestyle changes may improve your overall health

Women and Bipolar Disorder

Research shows that women experience more periods of depression than men. In bipolar disorder, women develop   bipolar II meaning they do reach severe mania but have milder episodes of hypomania alternating with depression.

Women are more prone to rapid cycling, having four or more mood episodes in one year.  hormones   antidepressants may contribute to rapid cycling.

Women who are pregnant run the risk with prescribed medication it has been shown that the risk of birth defects and certain medical issues in newborns and the risks may outweigh the benefits.  

Women who have bipolar disorder and plan to become pregnant should talk with their psychiatrist about the risks that are involved.

The hormone fluctuations of menopause can cause mood disorders in woman in general not just those with bipolar disorder. For those already having troubles with major depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety disorders there can be an increase in symptoms. Women during menopause may experience    more frequent episodes of depression because of lowering of estrogen levels. Women with bipolar disorder sometimes mistake their mood swings for PMS.

Women with Bipolar disorder are different than  men  with the same diagnosis doctors sometimes make a wrong diagnosis the same way that women with heart disease because  the symptoms differs  from the symptoms of the disease.

Most people with bipolar disorder have their first manic episodes in their 20s or 30s, and research has shown that women develop symptoms of the disorder three to five years later than men

Taking all into consideration there are many ways that women can have episodes that are unique.  Their episodes may change for various reasons.  Women must be aware of the changes and communicate their concerns with their doctor.