The Niamh Louise Foundation has set up a new monthly support group that meets on Monday mornings for those who recognise some or many of the experiences described below, and for those who have had a diagnosis as ‘bipolar’.
Some of the features of Post Traumatic Stress, which are widespread in our population, are similar to those described below, so you are also very welcome to the group if you recognise any of the following experiences, which sometimes follow from various kinds of traumatic loss that are not yet resolved. What follows is a description used mainly by the medical profession, which may or may not reflect your experience.
The group is funded for one year to be facilitated by an independent professional psychotherapist/group facilitator. The group is not a therapy group, and people are encouraged to seek therapeutic support if they need it. However, there will be opportunities to build a self help group with other participants who experience significant emotional distress, to learn new skills for handling distress, to discuss mental health issues and other relevant matters of interest to the group. Group participants will decide on the agenda or the group and their own interests.
‘Bipolar Disorder’
Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder is also referred to as bipolar affective disorder or manic depression.
What is it?
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people experience abnormally elevated (manic or hypomanic) and, in many cases, abnormally depressed states for periods of time in a way that interferes with functioning. It is a condition that affects your moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. If you have bipolar disorder you will have periods or ‘episodes’ of depression then mania.
What is a depressive episode?
Signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder include
- a sense of hopelessness
- feeling empty emotionally
- feeling guilty
- feeling worthless
- chronic fatigue
- difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- weight loss or gain/changes in appetite
- loss of interest in daily life
- lack of concentration
- being forgetful
- suicidal feelings
What is a Manic episode?
Mania is generally characterized by a distinct period of an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood state. People commonly experience
- feeling euphoric – excessively ‘high’
- restlessness
- extreme irritability
- talking very fast
- racing thoughts
- lack of concentration
- sleeping very little
- a feeling of own importance
- poor judgement
- excessive and inappropriate spending
- increased sexual drive
- risky behaviour
- misusing drugs/alchohol
- aggressive behaviour.
A person may be unaware of these changes in their attitude or behaviour. After a manic phase is over, they may be quite shocked at what they’ve done and the effect that it has had.
Sometimes, people experience a milder form (less severe and for shorter periods) of mania known as hypomania. During these periods people can actually become very productive and creative and so see these experiences as positive and valuable. However, without awareness, hypomania, can become more severe, and may be followed by an episode of depression.
What causes bipolar disorder?
The exact causes are unknown. However, about one to two per cent of the general population is diagnosed with bipolar disorder (a roughly equal number of men and women) usually in their 20s or 30s, although some teenagers are affected. 10% of the population in the north/N.Ireland may have Post Traumatic Stress.
Very little is known about the causes of bipolar disorder, although it does run in families, suggesting a genetic link or the impacts of ‘transgenerational trauma’ (i.e. the unspoken ways families learn to deal with their experiences and which are learned as automatic habits without awareness). Some people, however, have no family history of it. During pregnancy, the effects of how the mother is supported or not by society and her own awareness (i.e. the impacts of her nutrition, mental and physical health on the developing foetus) are also seen as important factors.
Stressful life events
Some people can link the start of their bipolar disorder to a period of great stress, such as childbirth, a relationship breakdown, money problems or a career change.
Family background
Some believe bipolar disorder can result from emotional injury in early life. Grief, loss, trauma, neglect, poverty, war/political conflict can also be contributing factors – they all shock the developing person and produce unbearable stress.
What sort of support is available?
Often people go to their GP. He or she may refer you to a psychiatrist, who will be able to discuss the various drug treatments available. There has been a lack of alternative and complementary options to the medical approach (i.e. therapeutic and group support). It is important to find what works best for you to bring greater well being and toask for other options.
(Article taken from www.mind.org.uk with additional information from Rosie Burrows, Independent practitioner/group facilitator).
For further information about the group please contact 02887740354.
New members are welcome and dates will be set at the next meeting, 22nd November 2010.
For information on transgenerational trauma – a community based approach see ‘Out of Town, Out of Mind’: a community based approach to the mental health needs of the Flying Horse, Model Farm and New Model Farm (from Down and Lisburn Trust or Flying Horse Community Forum, authored by Rosie Burrows and Bríd Keenan)