BIPOLAR DISORDER MADE SIMPLE

Many individuals have a basic understanding  of BIPOLAR [B.P] DISORDER. Those who are diagnosed with B.P in stark contrast would express this experience perhaps very differently to norm expectations. 

This blog post hopes to highlight what a B.P experience can be like and how it affects everyday life. It also looks at the debated psychological challenges in the ways science views B.P. 

DYSPHORIA: this is commonly reported after B.P. MANIA EPISODES which lead to a mixture of unpleasant feelings e.g. guilt, depression, anxiety and a general mixture of highs followed by lows. 

From an EXTREME low to high, this reflects the meaning of BIPOLAR e.g. from one end to another. 

It is rare to be somewhere in between when a B.P. individual is in a full blown episode.   

It's common for >15% to die either from suicide or from risk behaviours driven by B.P. characteristics. This merely represents the most extreme cases. 

However, B.P. is not that simply devised in to numbers & 1+ psychological symptom labels.

There are so many restrictive labels for such a diverse and unique B.P. experience. Each person diagnosed with B.P. (type 1 to 2) is never exactly the same as another. 

Actually all B.P. diagnoses are all somewhat different in their own way, but they do overlap in some symptoms. 

TYPE 1: Classic form of B.P. experience  more HIGHS (MANIA) than LOWS. 

A rare few just experience the HIGHS or very little lows along their own individual spectrum. 

TYPE 2: A form a B.P. that experiences a great deal of LOWS>>>>HIGHS. This is marked by HYPOMANIA (lower HIGHS) with a higher possibility of severe lows. 

B.P.'s can shift from type 1 to type 2 through their life span. Because B.P. is not fixed, it can be very changeable depending on so many possible risk factors that science is yet to elude a current phenomenon of causation. 

BUT! In a day to day life of a B.P. traits are seen as a normal expression, so perhaps there are many B.P.'s out there in the world that cope well in life. Perhaps the ones that fall through the cracks just represent the extreme? 

BE CRITICAL, because money talks a lot in life, unless you have the knowledge to challenge otherwise. 

Besides the politics, what about the SCIENCE behind the most prescribed B.P. medications? e.g. LITHIUM - seen as a very common mood stabiliser to be given. 

A TRAP? ........

DRUGS all have limitations because they are not supposed to be taken in the long term. No, in fact, our bodies in general are not wired for a quick fix because it will never be without some biological cost. 

Bear in mind that some B.P.'s when hospitalised need urgent drug intervention as therapy will not be suffice e.g. you need to be mentally able to process logic before therapy can work. 

So perhaps I have changed your perception about B.P. experiences in their most extreme form?

If you think you can add to this blog post to really understanding what B.P. experiences are really like, then please leave a comment. 

 

SUICIDE

21st CENTURY SUICIDE MINDSET

A GROWING PARASITIC SOCIETAL NORM?

This blog post aims to explore neuroscience, psychology & philosophical considerations for the mental health challenges of suicide. 

The pink elephant in the room? With all the riches 1st world countries have been granted, there is a persistent phenomena to explain the arguably growing trends of suicide rates in an ever-changing, fast-paced new world.  

Younger children are not only suffering from increasing anorexic rates and depression, but the effects are adding to a growing pile of unknown suicidal phenomenas that are attacking all ages. 

Many less affluent countries appear to strive to migrate to 1st world countries at all costs, regardless of the challenges or possible risk of death; they tend to show a desire to want to live life fighting, rather than commit suicide in their home country. 

Stigma, philosophical debates & the legal process of  committing suicide has changed over time, depending on the culture, societal trends and demands. 

Some forms of suicide are accepted more than others, especially when related to individuals with terminal illnesses & suffering physiological pain. 

But the TABOO still remains worldwide & perhaps this is a supportive catalyst for suicide's persistence. 

However, what is the cause? Lack of love, money, support or mental capacity to deal with stress  etc. MASLOW'S HIERARCHY is a classical & simple model to suggest what is needed in life. 

WHAT is the CAUSE of SUICIDE? Common risk factors are known, but it is far more complex than that! It includes  neurological, philosophical & psychological aspects. 

If your brain's neuronal networks repeatedly think and train itself to obsess over suicide, then how can we undo this hypothetically? 

The above is a brief discussion from a holistic point of view of the challenges within research on suicide. It also discussed the possible development and social stigmatisation implications. 

Put simply, others you know of may need help, or even yourself. Mental illness commonly plague peoples' minds; but it's never discussed openly. 

Society unfortunately still needs to grow & develop. So please try to speak out if you need help & do not suffer in silence.