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FREE Bipolar Disorder Journal Attached & last updated on Friday 11th of May 2007: www.msnusers.com/PalmarMidcarpalInstabil...D/msgattachments/249

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My Nanny's suffered from: Bipolar Disoder for around forty years &amp; I have seen the effects this has had on my Nanny &amp; my Mum &amp; the rest of my Family.<br><br>Post edited by: Scott_1984, at: 2007/10/24 22:59

www.medifocus.com

Medifocus Guidebook: Bipolar Disorder: www.medifocus.com/guide_detail.php?a=a&a...p;mf=1&gid=PS002 & www.medifocus.com/bipolar-disorder-guide...hp?gid=PS002&a=a

Post edited by: Scott_1984, at: 2007/10/18 00:00

Is bipolar disorder hereditary?
Yes, bipolar disorder runs in families; it is the most genetic major psychiatric condition. It is more genetic than schizophrenia and major depression. If you have a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder, then there is a 10-15% likelihood that you will develop it. If you have a second-degree relative like a grandparent or aunt, then the likelihood is half that amount (5-10%).

In twin studies, 60% of the likelihood is due to genes, but 40% is environmental (such as life events, like a divorce or job loss that triggers an episode). In other words, you may have a genetic susceptibility to bipolar episodes, which are only triggered when you experience environmental stressors. So, it is important to have good family support.

www.familyaware.org/expertprofiles/drghaemi2.asp

Bipolar disorder and manic depression
Dr Trisha Macnair
James Tighe

There's no cure for bipolar disorder, but understanding the symptoms and what triggers an episode can help people to live a normal life: www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/bipolar1.shtml

Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
James Tighe:

Our moods are rarely completely stable and the world would be a very boring place if they were. But in bipolar disorder, mood swings aren't like normal highs and lows, they are much more intense: www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental_h...orders_bipolar.shtml

What is Bipolar Affective Disorder?:

Bipolar disorder used to be called ‘manic depression’. As the name suggests, it is characterised by mood swings – or episodes - that are far beyond what most people experience in their lives. These are:

Low – feelings of intense depression and despair – ‘depressive’.

High – feelings of elation - 'manic'.

Mixed – for example, depressed mood with the restlessness and

overactivity of a manic episode.

People usually experience both depressive and manic episodes, but some will have only manic episodes.

How common is bipolar disorder?:

It affects about 1 in every 100 adults at some point in their life. It can start at any time during or after the teenage years, although it is unusual for it to start after the age of 40. Men and women are affected equally.


Bipolar Disorder (manic depression): Uk-Leaflet From: The Royal College of Psychiatrists:

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformatio...bipolardisorder.aspx

Leaflets Department,
The Royal College of Psychiatrists,
17 Belgrave Square,
London,
SW1X 8PG,
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 x259

Royal College of Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out, photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as the Royal College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no profit is gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other way must be obtained from the Head of Publications. The College does not allow reposting of its leaflets on other sites, but allows them to be linked to directly.

A range of materials for carers of people with mental health problems has also been produced by the Partners in Care campaign. These can be downloaded from www.partnersincare.co.uk