Possible Triggers and How to Reconize Them

Some of the possible triggers of Bipolar Disorder are you stop taking your medication, you start misusing alcohol or drugs, you do not have a regular sleep schedule. Some other triggers that can cause Bipolar are seasonal changes, illness, disagreement with family or friends, Holidays can also lead to an episode. Some others also include death of a love one, marriage, beginning school and even starting a new job.
A great way to figure out what your triggers are is to keep a diary of moods mainly a chart that can keep track of your moods and help you determine some patterns that may be noticed. It is very hard to do this alone, one way to figure out your triggers is maybe talking to a friend or therapist that can give an honest opinion.
Once you find out some of the triggers that cause an episode you can try to avoid these triggers. Other triggers can be approached carefully if you do not have any control over them. These triggers include illness, death to a love one, starting a new job or school. You just have to approach them carefully and keep open mind.
Next time I will write about treatments for Bipolar Disorder. So come back soon.

Causes and other factors

Doctors and Scientists do not really know what causes Bipolar Disorder, but they do think there is connection if a family member or close relative has the same condition or another mood disorder.
Family history is not the lone reason way someone has Bipolar. It is just Doctors and other professionals have not learned what causes Bipolar Disorder.
The Factors that are known are:
* Bipolar Disorder mostly starts often in teenagers or in young adults. It also has been known to occur in children and older adults.
* It effects people in all walks of life regardless of race or backgrounds.
* Special Chemicals in the Brain may be involved, if they come unbalanced it causes the brain cells not to work like they should be.
* Hormones also can be a factor. Thyroid hormone levels have been linked to bipolar disorder.
* Certain parts of the brain may have different shapes and sizes in people with Bipolar. These changes can be a symptom or an cause of the disorder.
* Lastly their have been cases where another illness plays a role in the disorder.
Next I will write about possible triggers and how to recognize them. So please come back soon.

The four main types of Bipolar Disorder

The four main episodes of Bipolar Disorder are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic and Bipolar Disorder not otherwise specified.

The first type being Bipolar I in which you have had at least 1 episode of mania or mixed mood with often experiencing depression too. This type sometime happens when the seasons change.
The second type Bipolar II is when you have had at least 1 episode of depression and at least 1 period of hypomania. Hypomania is a mild form of mania. The mood swings also may occur when the seasons change.
The third type is Cyclothymic Disorder which is a milder form of Bipolar. You may go back and forth between mild depression and slightly elevated mood. The moods swings are shorter and less severe. Sometimes people with cyclothymic disorder go on to have a stronger type of bipolar disorder but it certainly does not happen to everyone.
The Forth type is Bipolar not otherwise specified which in this type you do not fit into the other types. The feelings of Bipolar disorder vary from one person to the next.
Next time I will write about causes and other factors so please comeback soon.

Bipolar Disorder and Introduction

Hi, my name is Kevin as you tell from my profile, I started this blog to write about my experiences with Bipolar Disorder and how I deal with it. I will first start with the basics of what Bipolar is then explain more. I will give advice which you can use if you so choose but remember I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
When I say Bipolar Disorder, some people say to themselves or wonder what exactly is Bipolar Disorder. Well Bipolar Disorder is extreme mood swings from feeling really high with a lot of energy to feeling low when you have trouble just getting out of bed and doing daily activities. Bipolar Disorder use to be referred to as (Manic Depression) which is a very serious illness.
Bipolar Disorder is a lifelong illness but can definitely be treated if you have the right treatment plan and follow that plan through.
Bipolar Disorder is broken up into 4 main types which a I will go into more next time. So stay tuned.