Last week you could barely crawl out of bed. The world was a horrid place to live in. The economy is failing, war in the Middle East is still raging (and will probably never stop), the kids these days are all on drugs, and the politicians are all dirty. What point is there in even trying anymore?

But this week, Ahhhh this week the sun is out again and nothing can stop you! You’ve been wanting to paint your bedroom a funky new color, and that black-lacquered bedroom suit you saw at the store the other day would be just perfect. And you’ve been meaning to sign up for those sky-diving lessons because you’ve heard it keeps you young at heart to keep learning new things and that just sounds really exciting to try. And isn’t that guy at the bar hot looking? Let’s go buy him a drink and see if he wants to go back to the apartment. Too bad you don’t have that new bedroom suit already…

Does this sound like you? Do you bounce back and forth between being horribly depressed one day (or week) and flying high on enthusiasm the next? Or maybe instead of excited and happy you are irritable and angry. You don’t feel like crying, you are not sad, but the least little thing can make you feel like ripping someone’s head off. The kids play their music too loud, they keep asking you questions, the phone won’t stop ringing – things that normally would just be annoying are now making you clench your fist and want to punch something – maybe even one of the kids?

You might have already seen the doctor about the Depression you’ve been, but you may not have told him about the other side of your personality. After all, who tells the doctor about when they feel great?

But this level of “greatness” is not normal – this is manic, as in manic/depression otherwise known as Bi-polar disorder.

It is as important to recognize the signs of Bi-polar Disorder as It is to recognize Clinical Depression.

For one thing, the patient does suffer from Depression, often debilitating and frightening at least ½ of the time. Others may not recognize this as such though, just attributing it to a “bad day” or the person needing to concentrate on a project, so they are a little more distant and focused. Because, after all, how can a person who was leading the line dance at the last office party be suffering from Depression?

That’s that problem with the manic side of this disorder; it tends to overshadow the depressive side. Depression, almost by its definition is quiet and solitary. The person seeks to be left alone and hides from the world. Mania is just the opposite (hence the word Bi-Polar). Mania seeks attention and lots of it. It pushes for that adrenaline rush. Families are often thrilled to see the manic phase at first, because it seems like their loved one has regained a new love of life – like they are “seizing the day”. But they soon come to be terrified for their family member as the risk taking increases and they realize their child/grandchild/niece/whatever is going to kill themselves by accident almost as quickly as they would have done on purpose in the preceding weeks.

The treatment for Bi-polar Disorder is a little different than from Clinical Depression. An antidepressant such as Zoloft, Prozac, or Paxil will probably be prescribed to help with the Depression side of things. But the patient will also most likely receive a prescription for a Mood Stabilizer. These medications may include but are not limited to; Lithium, Abilify, or Lamictal. These medicines will help the patient stay on a more even basis without swinging from one extreme to the next.

It cannot be said that either Depression or Bi-Polar disorder is worse than the other, but they are definitely different from each other. And by ignoring all of the signs a patient exhibits just puts off getting the proper diagnosis.

So if you recognize the signs of mania in yourself or a loved one that is being treated for Depression, be sure and talk about it. The doctor needs to know. He or she cannot make an informed decision without all of the facts.

There is hope for Bi-Polar sufferers and their families. It just takes bringing the unmentionable out into the light of day so that it can wither and die.

Peace, Love, Hope, & Joy y’all!
Michelle Taylor