Bipolar?

shuntaro603 · 01-22-2005, 03:03 PM

I know this is a silly question, but what does "bipolar" mean? I know it's a psychological term, but what is it?

**kamurj** · 01-22-2005, 03:08 PM

see

Google definitions of "Bipolar Disorder"

rethink.org Bipolar Disorder article

About.com Bipolar Disorder section

BBC Health's Bipolar section

I am sure there are many other great resources out there about Bipolar Disorder.

shuntaro603 · 01-22-2005, 03:11 PM

Oh thanks.

Sexychiick16 · 01-22-2005, 03:25 PM

chemical imbalance in a persons brain...

cleverme123 · 01-22-2005, 03:42 PM

It's a chemical reaction in the brain. It is also called manic depression. You go through cycles of depression and then mania doing things you wouldn't normally do. Some people see dillusions, some people hear things. You think people are out to get you constantly. You think everyone is against you. There is a variety of stuff that it can do to someone. It usually requires heavy anti depressants which due to side effects have to be monitored.

For me it's like a chronic depression. Then other times I get so much energy and thoughts racing through my head I don't sleep or eat for days, trying to carry out all these things. When I go into the depression, it feels like everyone hates me, I get sad, want to commit suicide for no apparent reason, and I cry. I have battled it for years. It's not something fun to deal with.

sisterlynch · 01-22-2005, 04:16 PM

It used to be called manic depression. It involves mood swings that are un-predictable, going from depression to the highest highs, just on the chemical swings inside their own brain or systems.

They may be happy and bubbly in public, but their private issues can be exhausting.

It is treated with lithium.

peanut15 · 01-22-2005, 06:34 PM

I don't know about hearing voices or delusions but I know a family that has a history of it and basically it is an extreme high and an extreme low that can be unpredictable but if you observe the person intently, you can get an idea of when each episode occurs. Billy Joel the singer is a manic depressive.

fantasia2004 · 01-22-2005, 07:45 PM

Yeah,

but sometimes it could be outside factors that can lead and play a major part into setting it off causing this depression and unless you are able to get help or have someone be supportive of your battle with it, it can make it worse and almost destroy you emotionally and psychologically Chemical imbalance or not.

fantasia2004 · 01-22-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuntaro603

I know this is a silly question, but what does "bipolar" mean? I know it's a psychological term, but what is it?

no question is silly unless you choose to not ask it.

sisterlynch · 01-22-2005, 11:28 PM

Someone had a question if hearing voices is part of bipolar, and I would have to say that no, that would fall into another category called schitzophrenia, my spelling may be off, delusions and hearing voices -- talking outloud (to no one), talking to god, feeling like you can control the minds of others, this would be classified as schitzophrenia, which is the worst type of mental illness. People can have episodes of schitzophrenic behavior, but go back to normal after a while.
Drug over dose can cause you to feel crazy and out of control, as can extreme dieting, also extreme fatigue and illness with high fevers. All these can bring on episodes of hearing voices or seeing things that are not there.

01-22-2005, 03:03 PM	#1
shuntaro603 Offline Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boston Age: 19 Posts: 199	Bipolar? I know this is a silly question, but what does "bipolar" mean? I know it's a psychological term, but what is it? __________________ The past cannot be changed, the future is still in your power

01-22-2005, 03:11 PM	#3
shuntaro603 Offline Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boston Age: 19 Posts: 199	Oh thanks. __________________ The past cannot be changed, the future is still in your power

01-22-2005, 03:42 PM	#5
cleverme123 Offline Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 393	bipolar It's a chemical reaction in the brain. It is also called manic depression. You go through cycles of depression and then mania doing things you wouldn't normally do. Some people see dillusions, some people hear things. You think people are out to get you constantly. You think everyone is against you. There is a variety of stuff that it can do to someone. It usually requires heavy anti depressants which due to side effects have to be monitored. For me it's like a chronic depression. Then other times I get so much energy and thoughts racing through my head I don't sleep or eat for days, trying to carry out all these things. When I go into the depression, it feels like everyone hates me, I get sad, want to commit suicide for no apparent reason, and I cry. I have battled it for years. It's not something fun to deal with.

01-22-2005, 04:16 PM	#6
sisterlynch Offline Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,187	bi polar It used to be called manic depression. It involves mood swings that are un-predictable, going from depression to the highest highs, just on the chemical swings inside their own brain or systems. They may be happy and bubbly in public, but their private issues can be exhausting. It is treated with lithium. __________________ Prepare for tomorrow, not tomorrow, but today.

01-22-2005, 07:45 PM	#8
fantasia2004 Offline Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: now if I told you then it would not be a secret anymore! Gender: Female Age: 37 Posts: 1,319	Yeah, but sometimes it could be outside factors that can lead and play a major part into setting it off causing this depression and unless you are able to get help or have someone be supportive of your battle with it, it can make it worse and almost destroy you emotionally and psychologically Chemical imbalance or not. __________________ That consciousness is everything and that all things begin with a thought. That we are responsible for our own fate, we reap what we sow, we get what we give, we pull in what we put out. I know these things for sure. Madonna, O Magazine, January 2004

01-22-2005, 03:08 PM	#2
kamurj Offline Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Gender: Male Posts: 458	see Google definitions of "Bipolar Disorder" rethink.org Bipolar Disorder article About.com Bipolar Disorder section BBC Health's Bipolar section I am sure there are many other great resources out there about Bipolar Disorder.

01-22-2005, 03:25 PM	#4
Sexychiick16 Offline Member Join Date: May 2004 Age: 21 Posts: 543	chemical imbalance in a persons brain...

01-22-2005, 06:34 PM	#7
peanut15 Offline Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Age: 37 Posts: 115	I don't know about hearing voices or delusions but I know a family that has a history of it and basically it is an extreme high and an extreme low that can be unpredictable but if you observe the person intently, you can get an idea of when each episode occurs. Billy Joel the singer is a manic depressive.

01-22-2005, 11:28 PM	#10
sisterlynch Offline Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NorCal Posts: 2,187	hello Someone had a question if hearing voices is part of bipolar, and I would have to say that no, that would fall into another category called schitzophrenia, my spelling may be off, delusions and hearing voices -- talking outloud (to no one), talking to god, feeling like you can control the minds of others, this would be classified as schitzophrenia, which is the worst type of mental illness. People can have episodes of schitzophrenic behavior, but go back to normal after a while. Drug over dose can cause you to feel crazy and out of control, as can extreme dieting, also extreme fatigue and illness with high fevers. All these can bring on episodes of hearing voices or seeing things that are not there. __________________ Prepare for tomorrow, not tomorrow, but today.