Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that really interests me. Over 3 million people in the United States suffer from manic depression, or bipolar disorder. This chronic illness is in the category of mood disorders resulting in severe mood and behavioral changes which can last for weeks or even months.
There are many people who do not consider bipolar disorder a chronic illness. I strongly disagree. I have grown up with a parent with this mood disorder and had a past boyfriend that I suspected of having it. It not only affects the individual who has it but those around them. Bipolar disorder has actually been discovered worldwide. The World Health Organization states taht it makes up for about 1.2 percent of the worldwide population (http://www.worldhelathorg/bipolar.org)
Fortunately, with proper treatment bipolar disorder can be managed. There are a variety of medications and mood stabilizers on the market. Bipolar disorder does not always have to be treated with medication, treatment and counseling are also available.
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I suspected a friend I met a couple of years to have bipolar. She seemed like a different person when she was really happy and when she was very sad. When she was happy she felt like she could do anything. She would do her homework and was positive about finishing her course work. However, when she was very down she just wanted to drink and would not get anything done. My other friends and I at that time did not confront her about it. All I know now is that she has a baby, but I do not know how she is doing.
ReplyDeleteI work with some kids that have bipolar disorder. These kids have such a hard time realizing their potential because of fear. The drastic mood swings can be overwhelming for everyone involved from the kids, the parents and the teachers. This is definately a chronic disease in my opinion.
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