Diagnosis: Bipolar, Living with the Illness
© April Scheiner, Author
This month, our intention is to provide you additional information, more of the story and even more of the research on the subject matter of dealing with bipolar disorder. We now, bring you Part Two of Diagnosis: Bipolar, written with care and beautifully crafted by April Scheiner, who has first-hand knowledge of the illness.
Feedback would be welcome. It is our hope and prayers that we have helped even one person to understand their depression or their mania better... it would be a miracle if more were helped because you were able to carry the message from sharing this information with someone you know and love.
Without further adieu, part two, written by April and produced by VicToria...
Diagnosis: Bipolar: Living with the Illness
In part one of Diagnosis, we introduced Melissa who sought help for depression. Soon, because of her unusual behavior, she was referred to a psychiatrist. The end diagnosis was bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is often hard to catch without the patient complaining of manic symptoms as well as depressive symptoms. Research indicates that 75% of bipolar cases go untreated. Some sufferers may see their manic episodes as simply feeling as if they are being more productive. The patient may actually enjoy being manic during an episode. Unfortunately, that euphoric feeling does not last forever. It tends to lead to no sleep, poor connection to reality, and eventually a mood change that can lead a patient into an overwhelming depression.
Treatment to achieve and maintain a balanced state is very important to maintain good quality sanity.
Looking back at last month's story --- although diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a psychiatrist, Melissa refuses to accept that she is indeed mentally ill. This happens quite often, as people do not want the stigma of society often applies to mental illness. Besides, her mother had also been bipolar to the point of hallucinations, which caused problems that even included her mistreatment of her children. Melissa's mother, at the age of thirty, had attempted suicide, after which ten-year-old, Melissa discovered her mother dead with her head in the oven. Melissa's mother had never sought treatment. She refused to admit that anything could be wrong.
Today, the stigma of mental illness is not quite as common as it was in the past. Many people are seeking therapy in order to work out issues in their lives. The overwhelming financial state of the nation and the families within it is causing many people to seek help. Cost of insurance, both automobile and health has caused people to cut back on electricity in order to have coverage. These are some of the problems today that is causing costs of the care to rise --- too many people needing counseling over something that four years ago did not overwhelm so many.
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