OMG you are so Bipolar

Empire is coming back this Wednesday September 23^rd and I am super excited to see how everything unfolds.As we approach this new season, I, Dr. Rosché, a licensed clinical psychologist, recall the many important and real issues that arose this past season.

Have you ever heard or even said "You are so Bipolar?'

Most people say “Bipolar” to represent someone being happy one minute and mad or sad the next minute. I know it makes sense to us to say they are bipolar because they go from one extreme to another at a drop of a dime. However, Bipolar disorder is a very serious disorder that causes mental duress for the individual and the family. Contrary to us commonly using this term in everyday conversation, the symptoms are not indicated by rapid shifts in mood that occur within an hour or even a day. The symptoms last for minimum 1 week or more until mood stabilizes. Bipolar Disorder aka "manic depressive" in a simple form is a combination of a manic episode and a depressive episode that can interfer with functioning.

Most of us are familiar with depressive symptoms

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

Fatigue and decreased energy

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness

Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

Irritability, restlessness

Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

Overeating or appetite loss

Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Depression alone can lead to extreme difficulties. When you begin to feel a sense of hopelessness it can often lead to isolation from our support networks, discontinuing engaging in the activities that gave us joy, or suicidal thoughts and potentially suicide completion. We witness this as Andre no longer has interest in the family business, which initially brought him great joy and pride; he struggled in his connection with his wife; and one severe result of major depression is Andre's suicide attempt.

Another aspect of Bipolar that is less common to most of us, Manic Episode.

Grandiosity-you think you are on top of the world with unrealistic beliefs or powers

Little Need for Sleep

Hyperactivity and/or impulsivity

Racing thoughts that also may express as rapid speech

Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable

Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers

Highly distractible, unable to concentrate

Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)

Some major consequences that can occur during manic episode can be increased spending, drug abuse, hypersexuality, risk taking, psychotic features such as hallucinations or delusions, etc... For clearer understanding, it could look as if the person is high off of a drug such as crack cocaine or methamphetamine (ecstasy), but they haven’t even taken the drug. Ultimately, the brain is chemically unbalanced and treatment is needed to regulate the mood. It is common when you suffer from a mental disorder to self-medicate using common depressants (marijuana or alcohol) or stimulants (crack cocaine or methamphetamines) to attempt to treat oneself and regulate your mood. When you need a pick me up, use an upper or if you are too high and need to come back down use a downer.

Quick Treatment Tips

Seek Professional Advice-You Can’t do it alone and this blog or a Google search will not suffice

Medication is very common to stabilize mood and may need to be ongoing throughout the person’s life or at least until they are triggered by extreme emotional events.

Therapy can aid the person in medication compliance, understanding mood shifts, identifying triggers,

To learn more about medication first seek professional advice but to learn more you can review Medication Education Blog

Check Out other Blogs like Don't Do It Andre, Change Your Thinking, OMG You are so Bipolar

Empire Therapy is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, or psychotherapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any health symptom.

If you are in the Bay Area, you can contact

Dr. Rosché at 510-629-9362

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