bipolar spouse support
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression, and yet to be named), has had its share of media attention lately, with stories about Brittany Spears and others. Approximately one in 70 people suffer from bipolar disorder and non-discrimination – men and women, all races, all socioeconomic levels, and even all ages. Often first appears in adolescence or early 20's.
We know from studies of identical twins, that approximately 70% of identical twins where one is bipolar, the other also manifests the disease. What about the other 30%? Bipolar disorder is a genetic predisposition – that is, born with the vulnerability – often one or more blood relatives have – but you can not show any symptoms until it is triggered by some other factor. Triggers Child abuse can be a serious physical or emotional trauma at any time of life, catastrophic loss, poor diet, exposure to toxins, drugs, antidepressants (one of the most common triggers), lifestyles, high stress, or prolonged lack of sleep. All these and more, can kick the cycle of bipolar mood swings ranging from severe debilitating depression last from weeks to months at a time – a maximum of hypomania (feeling of energy, powerful, creative, need to sleep soon, super sexual, productive, talkative and outgoing and unafraid) to the extreme obsession for some (all the symptoms I just mentioned, besides lack of trial, the high-risk behavior, delusions, grandiosity, and even paranoia and hallucinations).
As you can see, this is not a light-weight disease. This causes a number of suicides, domestic violence, economic ruin, broken homes, and legal problems for people at its "normal" of mind are caring, responsible, intelligent members of society, parents and spouses.
Those who are more fortunate, manage to use the most Positive High bipolar hypomania (- or "low-level mania") in your favor. Billionaire Ted Turner is a good example.
One of the greatest difficulty lies in the psychological problems that exist apart from the neurological effects of the disease. For example, a woman with a history of childhood to be sexually abused by a family member who has never resolved the trauma and subsequently developed chronic symptoms of bipolar disorder. The trauma is a constant latent unconscious source of emotional pain, low self-esteem, self-hatred, shame, guilt and anxiety. All these emotions and negative thoughts contribute greatly both to the manic and depressive disorder.
Both depression and mania can be seen as an expression of deep inner pain, inadequate and shame. When depression is obvious. But when manic unrsolved person with self-esteem problems may appear safe, powerful, strong, spiritually attuned, artistic, brave, invincible, perhaps. And some of these extraordinary qualities may be very real while they last. Nobody would say that basically, they feel totally inappropriate and unhelpful. And in the hypomanic or manic state the patient also usually completely unaware of their own feelings of emptiness or shame. Has an element of narcissism to it – the grandiose sense of power that comes with the hobby. This is the fault of the person. For now they're on autopilot. The brain has a fire and is burning out of control. Only medication or a lot of time to the person back to Earth. They can sometimes reach a point of total exhaustion before its collapse, then the depression hits. It's a Double Wammy. Now they are depressed, feeling deep shame and worthlessness, and have to deal with the chaos that may have created the while manic. A living hell for many people.
Once a person develops symptoms of Full Blown bipolar disorder, the medical profession – The general psychiatric point of view – is that it is a chronic, life long disease with no cure – only drugs and a healthy lifestyle can help to control symptoms. Resolve major underlying However, the problems (such as trauma of child abuse), low self-esteem, self-defeating or self-critical reflection, to leave abusive relationships, and so on, can go a long way towards alleviating many of the changes of mood in bipolar disorder. Medications, on some level, are often necessary – but I've seen some people learn to thrive without them. In the midst of a crisis however, medications are often the fastest, most safer and more effective way to get things under control. Whatever people choose to approach it is very important to understand the emotional aspects of both past and present all play a role in the creation of emotional instability and mood swings.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy weekly), bipolar support groups, techniques energy psychology, such as EFT, and mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi and meditation, and diet Healhty, supportive relationships, sleep appropriate exercise and the right nutritional supplements can all make a big difference for people with bipolar disorder.
For more information on alternative and holistic treatment of bipolar disorder, visit my website.
About the Author:
Ben Schwarcz, MA, MFT is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in Bipolar Disorder and Holistic Healing. Ben is also a practitioner of Energy Psychology, and is a meditation teacher in the tradition of Kriya Yoga. He teaches and practices in Santa Rosa California.
For more info visit: http://www.AlternativeDepressionTherapy.com
Ben Schwarcz: (707)326-5566
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Psychology of Bipolar Disorder
