Massage & Bodywork

May | June 2014

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I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 43 ecstatic, and furious at anyone who questions your actions. Failure is not an option; failure is simply impossible. You believe you can fly. TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER Bipolar disorder is often categorized by severity or by the frequency of mood swings. The majority of people diagnosed with this disorder experience bipolar type I. Bipolar Type I This condition is diagnosed when a person experiences a manic episode that lasts at least a week and involves hospitalization, or if the person experiences significant impairment in occupational or social function. Within the manic episode, the person exhibits signs of grandiosity, little need for sleep, racing thoughts, rapid speech, impulsiveness, irritability, and extreme pleasure in various activities, up to the point of self-injury and high-risk behaviors. The depressive phase involves an episode lasting at least two weeks, with five or more of the following symptoms: a severely depressed mood and total loss of pleasure or interest in activities; weight and sleep changes; and fatigue, poor concentration, lack of decisiveness, and preoccupation with suicide. Psychotic delusions and hallucinations can occur at both the manic and depressive phases of type I bipolar disorder. Bipolar Type II This is a milder form of the condition, involving swings from moderate depression to hypomania. Type II bipolar disorder does not involve symptoms of psychosis, and while it can feel extreme, it typically does not lead to major impairment of the ability to function in social or job-related settings. Mixed Bipolar Disorder This describes a condition with aspects of both mania and depression occurring simultaneously or in rapid succession. It can be highly disruptive to the individual's ability to maintain jobs or relationships. Bipolar NOS ("not otherwise specified") This designation is given to people whose symptoms are outside the normal range of function, but the duration of symptoms is too short or their onset is too new for an official diagnosis. Cyclothymia Cyclothymic disorder describes mood swings from hypomania to mild depression that persist for two years or more. Like bipolar type II, it severely impacts quality of life, but it is not completely debilitating. Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder This is a severe form of bipolar disorder with a minimum of four episodes per year. It tends to have a younger onset than other types of bipolar disorder, and it is more common in women than it is in men. It is difficult to overstate the impact of bipolar disorder on the quality of life of the patient and people close to the patient. Up to 80 percent of bipolar individuals report suicidal ideation; 25–50 percent eventually attempt or succeed. COMPLICATIONS Bipolar disorder is often seen alongside other problems. Substance abuse, including alcoholism, is an extremely common complication of this condition. Many bipolar patients also struggle with anxiety disorders, especially panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety.

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