Bipolar Disorder

Published on: January 31, 2017

Princess Leia’s Death Casts Spotlight on Bipolar Disorder

The recent death of Carrie Fisher, who portrayed the popular “Star Wars” character Princess Leia, made international headlines, not just because of her career, but also her very public struggle with bipolar disorder. Fisher never shied away from her bipolar disorder, and was very vocal about it. She wrote books on her diagnosis and also spoke extensively in public about the disease.

Fisher was open not only about her bipolar disorder, but also mental illness in general, and the fact that millions of Americans suffer from some kind of psychological disorder. According to her 2008 memoir Wishful Drinking, as many as one in four Americans suffer from some kind of mental disorder. Living with these conditions can be extremely challenging to say the least. Fisher in her memoir and her public appearances raised awareness about the condition, and advised fellow sufferers about managing their symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme fluctuations between two extreme emotional states. If untreated, many persons suffer from either extreme sadness or extreme exhilaration. When in a depressive state, a person may become detached from the outside world, lethargic, and may find it very difficult to muster interest in anything. Conversely, when suffering from extreme mania, a person may feel exhilarated, is constantly excited, may speak rapidly, and may have difficulty sleeping.

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Published on: November 20, 2016

Childhood Adversity Linked to Bipolar Disorder

By Lisa Siegel

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that is characterized by states of extreme depression and mania. New studies indicate that children who have suffered from physical, sexual or emotional abuse in their childhood are much more likely to suffer from symptoms of bipolar disorder in their adulthood.

The study conducted by researchers at the University of Manchester focused on many years of research into bipolar disorder, and found that people who suffer from the condition are 2.6 times more likely to report having suffered various types of abuse during childhood. The researchers say they also have reason to believe that childhood adversity is linked to a higher potential for bipolar disorder, because of other similar studies that link childhood adversity with a higher risk of schizophrenia. They have concluded that a troubled childhood significantly increases the risk of a person being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The extreme depressive and manic states associated with bipolar disorder often make it impossible for a person to continue to be a productive individual. The period of mania may be characterized by rapid speech, extreme excitability, high energy levels and insomnia. The depressive state is characterized by extreme depression, low energy, and poor motivation levels. The person may suffer a loss of interest in any kind of activity. He’s no longer able to go to work without his behavior severely affecting his ability to be productive. Therefore, the Social Security Administration does consider the limitations that these patients face in performing substantial work before deciding to approve disability benefits claims.

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Published on: February 23, 2015

Does My Bipolar Disorder Make Me Eligible for Disability Benefits?

By Lisa Siegel

Bipolar disorder , also known as manic-depressive, is a mood disorder, and like other mood disorders, can be difficult to diagnose. In fact, early symptoms of bipolar are often attributed to general moodiness or tiredness. Unfortunately, those issues to tend to lead to more problematic conditions if left undiagnosed and untreated.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania and depression. An individual who suffers from bipolar disorder goes through phases of mania, in which he may completely lose touch with reality, followed immediately by episodes of extreme depression. The person may also find it difficult to complete tasks, and may start several projects, only to leave them incomplete. During the mania phase, a person with bipolar disorder may speak very rapidly, and for long periods of time. They often also jump from topic to topic.

Depression sets in during the low phases of bipolar disorder. The person may suffer from problems that include loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and low energy levels. He or she may also feel very irritable.

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