#AskMargie: Bipolar disorder

MANILA, Philippines – Clinical psychologist Dr. Margie Holmes talks about a serious condition can a lot of times be misunderstood. In this first of a three-part series, Dr. Holmes will discuss bipolar disorder.

We encounter many people in our lives. We all have different issues and quirks. Some we enjoy, gladly tolerate, and others make us want to tear our hair out. Some situations we dismiss as mere paarte or drama king/queen behavior can be symptoms of a more serious condition like bipolar disorder. That is what we’ll be discussing today.

First, let’s get an “official” definition of BPD, this one from the National Institute of Mental Health (or the NIMH): Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

The symptoms are different from the normal ups and downs. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But it can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Now, let’s ask our Facebook friends what BPD is to them and what their most common symptoms are.

Desiree Sison: It’s a hard disease that only the toughest can endure. A doctor-friend whose mother is bipolar told me that bipolar disorder patients already have a place in heaven because of the hardships we experience here on earth. And then I told her, “But Tita, I need heaven now.”

Desiree continues: It’s difficult to define and explain it to others. They think you’re just blowing things out of proportion, that being with friends will ease your depression. For my family, bipolar disorder is when I’m already in a psychotic breakdown.

Uzziel Perez: When I was in high school, I could do all-nighters and get really good grades. And then in the next test I just flunk because my brain just drops dead. It’s a weird brain that goes on and off like a dying light bulb.

I experience trembling too. I don’t like loud noises. I ran after a car when it honked at me while I was crossing the street. I kicked a taxi too. When I’m really sad, I often wished I’d get hit by a car.

Rafael Navarro: My doctor suspects I have BPD since I told him I was having painful depressive episodes that last for more than two weeks but sometimes there were days when I become euphoric and too fidgety.

Mayk Rasing … I don’t get mad, I get enraged and been in a couple of fights with strangers whose only fault are annoying me. Contemplating about dying and trying to kill myself (I’ve survived one suicidal episode) or hurting someone whilst I seldom felt remorse.

Diana Sayson I hyper angrily kicked a cab door for being an “ugly color” getting the cabbie crazy mad as well since we just exchanged jokes a few seconds before).

Thank you Mark, thank you, Diana…rages are a common feature of BPD that people forget cause they see mainly the exuberance, the racing thoughts, etc.

Uzziel Perez says: there’s rapid shifting of moods. During depressive state one may be suicidal, lethargic (may sleep all day), irritable and angry. During high states, one becomes extremely happy even with the smallest of reasons to be happy. There’s little need for sleep. One can think so fast and become so creative. Some goals made at this state may just turn out to be grandiose illusions that are impossible to achieve.

Uzziel Perez May I also include sexual promiscuity in the manic phase?

Dr. Holmes: Part of being manic is doing things which seem like lots of fun at the time — spending lots of money, telling people off in the most embarrassing and loudest way. having sex with lots of people—or, ok, ok, can not only seem but actually be lots and lots of fun. But the differences between the fun one has when manic and when “euthymic” has repercussions that tend to harm the manic one..NOT others, because it is the bpd person who lose his job, his friends, his graduation day. (so one can see that a person who’s Bipolar is not necessarily selfish –well except if he knows he’s bipolar and is helped by meds but refuses to take it. Ang gulo ano? Sorry, sorry, kasi ang dami daming masasabi re this,…yet I don’t want to bludgeon you with stuff in 5 minutes

Well, That’s it for today. How did you feel about our attempts to define BPD? Do you agree? Disagree? Have you any suggestions on how we can make BPD easier to understand? Perhaps even easier to accept? Tell us what you think and feel in the comment section below.

– Rappler.com