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A quick and easy reference to help understand Bipolar Disorder James Witschner and Marcia Rose
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MANIA Mania has two forms, Hypomania and
Mania itself. Hypomania can actually be a pleasurable state
of elevated moods. Full of optimism and confidence, they sleep
less and have abundant energy. Self-esteem and productivity
increases noticeably. For individuals with bipolar disorder
who suffer endlessly with depressions it can come as a welcome
relief. Mania, of course, is another story. It begins insidiously
as the welcome and joyful feelings of hypomania and worsens
to the devastating state of true mania. Manic people have
an exaggerated sense of self-confidence beyond reason. There
are many symptoms of true mania such as: insomnia, poor judgment,
inappropriate behavior, inappropriate anger, dangerous driving,
inability to concentrate, thrill seeking, wound-up, anxiety
inflated sense of self-importance, impulsiveness, grandiose
delusions, aggressive behavior, racing speech, flight of ideas,
rash business decisions, irritability, angry outbursts, paranoid
thoughts and feelings, appetite changes, overeating or not
eating, and hypersexual activity. One can believe he or she
is more wealthy, more intelligent, more talented and just
more everything than anyone else. This can worsen when he
or she becomes delusional to the point that their ideas are
completely false and impossible. One can feel that God has
appointed them to some great purpose, or they are onto a wonderful
scientific discovery. They do not have the ability to understand
the real dangerous situations that they have placed themselves
in. Spending sprees are common with large debts occurring
from credit cards and borrowing money. Sexual activity is
abnormally increased leading to loss of inhibitions and participating
in sexual activities that are unusual. Their thoughts race
so fast that they cannot talk fast enough to express them
and their speech becomes incoherent. The feelings of being
pressured or driven are paramount. If someone questions their
plans or ideas they can quickly shift from the euphoric state
of well being to impatience, irritation, anger and hostility.
Judgment, balance and reason are gone.
MAOI
(monamine oxidase inhibitors) This medication treats depression,
anxiety and phobias with depression. Some of the brand names
are Nardil, Parnate and Marplan. This medication should not
be taken if you have liver disease or heart problems. Some
foods can cause very high blood pressure such as Anchovies,
avocados, bananas, beer, caviar, cheese, chocolate, liver,
meats prepared with meat tenderizers, raisins, sherry, sour
cream, soy sauce, yeasts and yogurt. Some of the less serious
side effects are constipation, dizziness, dry mouth and blurred
vision. The more serious side effects are severe headache,
tightness in chest, pounding heartbeat, neck stiffness and
nausea.
MAO
INHIBITOR These medications help break down dopamine,
which prolongs its action in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter
that controls movement and balance that is essential to the
functioning of the central nervous system. It is a transmitter
of electrochemical signals from one nerve cell to another.
These medications are used to treat chronic pain, tuberculosis,
Parkinson’s and other illnesses.
MEDICINE
(See addenda)
MELLARIL
(thioridazine) This is a lower potency tranquilizer. It will
help in relieving agitation and psychoses. Some of the side
effects are blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness,
dry mouth, urinary retention, weight gain and, in a few some
sexual dysfunction.
MIXED
AFFECTIVE STATE (dysphonic mania) This is a mood
that is often seen as a part of the bipolar affective disorder.
The mood presents itself in both the depressed and manic state
at the same time. Usually the hyperactive energy level is
driving the person on the depressive side. This affect is
more difficult to treat for obvious reasons and can occur
in about 40 percent of those with bipolar affective disorder.
The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked
impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social
activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate
hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others.
MOOD
STABILIZERS Mood stabilizers are the primary treatment
for most people. They are supposed to level moods, so that
one neither gets too low (depressed) or too high (manic).
In practice, they work much better at treating mania than
depression and may have a mood-dampening effect so that one
gets more depressed on a mood stabilizer than he or she was
before. For this reason, some people are now calling these
drugs "antimanics". Mood stabilizers take a week or two to
get a therapeutic blood level and then it may take a few more
weeks to get the full effect of the drug. In acute situations,
another drug may be needed while one waits for the mood stabilizer
to take effect.
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