Awareness

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). These changes in mood, or "mood swings," can last for hours, days, weeks or months.

Nearly six (6) million adult Americans are affected by bipolar disorder. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during the teen years), although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode), and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups, and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends, and coworkers.

Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows"—periods of mania and depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.
 
When people experience symptoms of both a manic and a depressive episode at the same time, they're said to be experiencing a mixed state (or mixed mania). They have all of the negative feelings that come with depression, but they also feel agitated, restless and activated, or “wired.” Those who have had a mixed state often describe it as the very worst part of bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of Depression: The "Lows" of Bipolar Disorder

  * Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
  * Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
  * Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
  * Pessimism, indifference
  * Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
  * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
  * Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
  * Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
  * Unexplained aches and pains
  * Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

If you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, call (800) 273-TALK
(800-273- 8255) or 9-1-1 immediately. Or contact a medical professional, clergy member,
  loved one, friend, or hospital emergency room
 
Bipolar Depression

As you can see from the list above, the symptoms of bipolar disorder's "low" period are very similar to those of unipolar depression. That's why the "lows" of this illness are sometimes referred to as "bipolar depression." These lows are one thing that most mood disorders have in common.
 
People with bipolar disorder experience bipolar depression (the lows) more often than mania or hypomania (the highs). Bipolar depression is also more likely to be accompanied by disability and suicidal thinking and behavior.

It’s during periods of bipolar depression that most people get professional help and receive a diagnosis. In fact, most people with bipolar disorder in the outpatient setting are initially seen for—and diagnosed with—unipolar depression.
 
Studies show that, in the primary care setting alone, 10-25 percent of those diagnosed with unipolar depression may actually have bipolar disorder. And the percentage is even higher in the psychiatric setting. And incorrect treatment for bipolar disorder can actually lead to episodes of mania and other problems.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Patterns and severity of symptoms (or episodes of "highs" and "lows") determine different types of bipolar disorder. The two most common types are bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder.

Treatments

Treatment of bipolar disorder may include support groups, medication, talk therapy, or other strategies that you and your health care provider may want to try. The right treatment is the one that works best for you.

Bipolar Disorder across the Lifespan

Bipolar disorder can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
 

  Stem Cell Research in Bipolar Disorder
The latest study for the U-M Prechter Bipolar Research Team is to establish inducible stem cells (iPS) from individuals with bipolar disorder.
The Bipolar Research Team recently launched a project entitled the Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology of Mood Disorders. The goal of this study is to establish stem cell lines from skin cells taken from individuals with bipolar disorder and study details of molecular mechanisms.
Using the very latest laboratory techniques, researchers will isolate certain skin cells (fibroblasts) from a skin biopsy sample and manipulate, or “induce” the cells to make them behave and function like neurons in the brain. These cells will be grown in test tubes to study details of how the genetic material (DNA) may be affected by factors such as the presence of medication, which could influence the functioning of the neuronal cells. Integration of the extensive clinical and physiological data from study participants along with the emerging cellular data from the stem cell research is highly likely to assist in determining why some individuals respond to specific interventions, or why stressors result in variable outcomes.
“We are very excited about studying cellular mechanisms; this technology brings us to essence of the biology of nerve cells from people with bipolar disorder,” said Melvin McInnis, M.D., the Principal Investigator of the Prechter Bipolar Research Projects.
Volunteers who would like to participate in this research must first be a participant in the Prechter Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder (link to study –re-positions person on the same page). To learn more about participating in research, please contact a research associate at 1-877-UM GENES (1-877-864-3637) or bpresearch@umich.edu
Stem cell research is a rapidly advancing research field. As the National Institute of Health (NIH) website states: “Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive.” Further information about stem cell research can be found here.
This study has received approval from IRBMED: HUM00043228
   
  (Please click all underlined words for more information.)
 
  Resources:

  Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund
  www.prechterfund.org

 
  Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
  www.bpkids.org

  Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
  www.DBSAlliance.org

  Depression Toolkit
  www.depressiontoolkit.org

  Mental Health America
  www.mentalhealthamerica.net

  Michigan Mental Health Commission
  www.michigan.gov/mentalhealth

  National Mental Health Association
  www.nmha.org

  National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  www.nami.org

  National Institute of Mental Health
  www.nimh.nih.gov

  President's New Freedom Commission On Mental Health
  www.mentalhealthcommission.gov 

  University of Michigan Depression Center
  www.depressioncenter.org

  101 Blogs to Help You Deal With Depression
  www.nursingschools.net
 
 
  Bipolar Caregivers
  www.bipolarcaregivers.org
 
  Mental illness leading cause of disability in youth
  Mental illness in youth