Living with Bipolar Disorder
Living with Bipolar Disorder Imagine a Sunday morning. A couple is sitting at the breakfast table discussing the upcoming days events. They discuss in detail what is planned for the day, what various activities they have planned for the week, and talk about work. This is a nice, pleasant conversation. Now envision the same morning events, except now one of them has bipolar disorder. Would there be any difference in the conversation? People with bipolar disorder suffer from severe mood swings. Two different types of moods are associated with this disorder. From extreme manic episodes with symptoms that include reckless behavior, inability to control tempers, trouble staying focused, hyperactivity, and a lack of self control. To extreme depressive episodes that exhibit symptoms from difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions, loss of self esteem, isolating themselves from friends and activities, to thoughts of death and suicide (U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, 1997-2009). Living with bipolar disorder can affect a person 's work, social, and family life. Living with Bipolar disorder affects every aspect of one 's life. One major part of life would be a persons work life. This disorder can affect how a person relates to their coworkers and supervisors, how they deal with the stress that comes from working, and even how they perform their job. From thoughts of not being good enough, a fear of failing, to inability to concentrate, people with bipolar disorder can have trouble keeping a job. According to WebMD (2008), “In a survey of people with depression and bipolar disorder conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, 88% said their condition affected their ability to work.”(para 1). One 's work life is severely affected by bipolar disease. Another aspect of life affected by this disorder is a persons social life. “Because of the constant mood change, bipolar disorder can affect a person’s
References: Pendulum.org (1996-2002). Your Bipolar Disorder News, Information . Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.pendulum.org/famcoping.htm PofWonderland (10/22/2007). Bipolar Disorder: Treatments and Medications. Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.prisonerofwonderland.com/health/bipolar-disorder- treatments-and-medications.htm U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (1997-2009). Medline Plus Trusted Health Information for You. Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000926.htm#Symptoms WebMD (2008). Bipolar disorder and your job. Retrieved February 22, 2009, from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/going-to-work-bipolar