1. Bipolar Disorder Allan Jiang and Madigan Rheaume December 10th, 2011

2. What is bipolar disorder? (AKA manic depressive illness) • Characterized by alternating cycles (may be frequent or infrequent) of depression and mania (elevated mood/ irritablity). • Individuals experience rapid mood changes, as well as hallucinations and delusion in severe cases. • Diagnosing bipolar disorder requires at least one depressive episode and one manic episode. • First episode is almost always depression. • For most people with bipolar disorder, the first episode occurs in the teenage years. • Mood does not go up and down in a pattern, it is out of control.

3. Mania VS Happiness VS Depression

4. Causes and symptoms for Bipolar Caused by disorder of mood control in brain. Symptoms include: • At least one depressive episode and one manic episode • Rapid mood changes • Self-destructive/self-harmful behaviours • Drug or alcohol overuse • Hallucinationsand delusions

5. Variants of Bipolar • Bipolar type II disorder: Individual will still experience depression, but only mild and brief manic episodes (these are known as hypomanic stages). • Cyclothymia: A history of hypomanic episodes with periods of depression that do not meet criteria for major depressive episodes.

6. Dealing with a loved one with Bipolar • After the diagnosis + during the treatment, it is important to keep a journal tracking moods and other symptoms. This can help the person identify things such as risky behaviour. • No drugs/ alcohol. Both are highly toxic to the brain of the individual, make it harder to treat the illness and can even cause it to come back after it has been treated. • To aid the treatment, certain antidepressants may help but it is important to monitor the individual’s dosage to make sure they do not overdose. Therapy and support in schools, hospitals, and the local community can all be very helpful.