In the next few weeks, I will be leaving evidence based articles on common mental health issues here. Please feel to free to drop all mental health related topics and questions here.

Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic illness, stress, anxiety, phobias, obsessions and addictions, sleep disorders, suicide and self harm, grief, sexual disorders, personality disorders are all common issues that need to be addressed.

What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder affecting a person’s mood, thinking, feelings and behaviour. Persons with bipolar disorder have ‘unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day to day tasks’ says NIMH.

They may become depressed and suicidal at a particular period. Then experience unusually elevated moods, energy and interests at other times. The condition often persists for months if untreated.

How common is Bipolar disorder?According to health surveys, one out of every hundred persons will have bipolar disorder. So, at any given time, not less than 51 million persons suffer from bipolar.

Bipolar usually begins between the age of 15 and 25 years. It rarely occurs before the age of 10 or after the age of 40years. It usually occurs earlier in men than women.

During bipolar disorder, episodes of depression that follow generally last three times as long as the mania (ie extreme elation).

What are some features you are likely to notice in people with bipolar disorder?

Elevated or irritable mood– This elevated mood is unique in the sense that it can’t easily be explained. The periods of elevated mood may alternate with low moods associated with reduced appetite. Their mood also affects dressing. Some have been found to wear bright, colourful clothes, or use excessive jewellery, makeup or accessories.

Explain dementia?

[quote author=Pidgin2 post=53012698]Explain dementia? [/quoteGenerally, it is defined as a progressive loss of intellectual functions in an individual that is awake and alert. This is seen as difficulty with memory, attention, thinking, and comprehension. Other mental functions can often be affected, including mood, personality, judgment, and interactions with other. Inability to remember things such as people, events etc is perhaps the most striking feature.

The first evidence of Dementia is often minor forgetfulness which progresses gradually over 1–2 years. There is increasing memory disturbance resulting in difficulties in managing day to day activities at home and workplace.
• Difficulty in remembering places results in wandering and getting lost in familiar environment.
• Poor sense of time gives rise to poorly kept appointments.
• Sudden outbursts known as ‘Catastrophic reaction’ may occur. This may occur when the individual is overwhelmed.
• Behavioral changes also occur, manifesting as restlessness and aggression (both verbal and physical).
• Sleeping and eating patterns may become unpredictable. If unchecked, they may become poorly nourished.
• Interest in sexual activities usually wanes. However, in some cases the individual become dis-inhibited and may become more active sexually.
• Self-care and social behavior decline.
• Depressive symptoms such as loss of interest, reduced energy and low mood occur occasionally.
• Delusions and hearing voices of unseen people may also occur.

RxH8:
Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychotic illness, stress, anxiety, phobias, obsessions and addictions, sleep disorders, suicide and self harm, grief, sexual disorders, personality disorders are all common issues that need to be addressed.

The world has been effectively scammed by medical science to believe in a long list of phony symptoms of mental illnesses for one main reason, that is to make money out of the suffering of mankind.

Finally the whole world is blessed and freed from this Satanic scam.

All the above symptoms have its root cause in the spirit of humans.

The cure is therefore spiritual. The world is no longer fooled by drugs that can only hide the symptoms.

A famous doctor once said that there is no money in a cure. That says it all for medical science.

ScienceWatch:
The world has been effectively scammed by medical science to believe in a long list of phony symptoms of mental illnesses for one main reason, that is to make money out of the suffering of mankind.

Finally the whole world is blessed and freed from this Satanic scam.

All the above symptoms have its root cause in the spirit of humans.

The cure is therefore spiritual. The world is no longer fooled by drugs that can only hide the symptoms.

A famous doctor once said that there is no money in a cure. That says it all for medical science.

I agree completely that persons with mental illness experience suffering and are indeed vulnerable to others who make a lot of claims. Unfortunately, medicine does not have ALL the answers nor claim to do so unlike other fields. Nevertheless, it is not easy to dismiss millions of persons with mental illness that have benefited from medications.

According to studies done in Nigeria including Yaba psychiatric hospital and South East, up to 7 out of 10persons with mental illness in Nigeria visit religious, spiritual and traditional healers before going to the hospital. One wonders why they eventually reported at mental hospitals after visiting other places... Of course, because the problem persisted despite help from others. You can check out this link for the YABA study: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/schizort/2013/769161/

RxH8:
I agree completely that persons with mental illness experience suffering and are indeed vulnerable to others who make a lot of claims. Unfortunately, medicine does not have ALL the answers nor claim to do so unlike other fields. Nevertheless, it is not easy to dismiss millions of persons with mental illness that have benefited from medications.

The benefits you refer to should be called "prolonged suffering' to extract maximum financial benefit.

People using psychotic drugs feel disconnected from their feelings. Terrible !

Do you know that increased sexual energy could be a symptom of bipolar disorder? When an individual has bipolar illness, Marriage mates and partners may note a sudden increase in their sexual drive. In some cases, they begin to have extramarital affairs or engage in risky sexual behaviour, sleeping with strangers or having unprotected sex.

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more features on bipolar disorders. Decreased need for sleep– Rather than wake up at the usual time, persons with bipolar disorder wake up earlier and engage in activities that sometimes disrupt the sleep of others.

‘I feel there is no need to rest because there is so much to do’ says Jeffery, when he had an episode of bipolar illness. . www.healthx24.com

It is interesting to know that people with Bipolar Disorder are filled with so many ideas that they can’t just stop talking . Sometimes, it becomes so difficult to interrupt them. Regardless of the listener’s response, they continue to speak playfully and crack jokes.



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This came at the right time!

Will hopefully contribute.

Following

Met someone with bipolar disorder 2 weeks ago. I learnt a lot from him and I am really proud of his accomplishments. For someone his age who works as a hospital aid to go back to high school is just amazing. He lives a completely normal life like everyone else and he said his medication have helped control is mania and depression.

Happy to hear that.Unknown to many,notable men and women worldwide have Bipolar Disorder and they are doing well in their respective fields.

Surprisingly,do you know that rising energy level is also an important feature of Bipolar Disorder?

You may note that your relative is unusually active, getting involved in several tasks at the same time. Rather than complete any of these assignments, they move on to others.

During this period, you may notice increased involvement in pursuits such as religious activities and politics. In their happy state, they may begin to sing aloud or play loud music at inappropriate times or places.



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Such famous persons include:
Winston Churchill (Two time prime minister of UK)
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Award winning actress in movies like Entrapment, Ocean 's Twelve and Mask of Zorro)
Demi Lovato
In Nigeria ... I can't think of any.

Why is it so? Probably fear of discrimination and stigma makes it difficult for anyone popular person or celebrity to publicly disclose he has bipolar disorder.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

RxH8:
What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder affecting a person’s mood, thinking, feelings and behaviour. Persons with bipolar disorder have ‘unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day to day tasks’ says NIMH.

They may become depressed and suicidal at a particular period. Then experience unusually elevated moods, energy and interests at other times. The condition often persists for months if untreated.

Whoa! I am bipolar

[quote author=RxH8 post=53014799][/quote] cool! I also have dementia

Still on Bipolar Disorders

Other features include inflated self-esteem,excessive spending and intrusive behavior.





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RxH8:
According to studies done in Nigeria including Yaba psychiatric hospital and South East, up to 7 out of 10persons with mental illness in Nigeria visit religious, spiritual and traditional healers before going to the hospital. One wonders why they eventually reported at mental hospitals after visiting other places... Of course, because the problem persisted despite help from others. You can check out this link for the YABA study: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/schizort/2013/769161/

It's because of the dominant influence of both cultural and religious beliefs.

Do you know of someone with bipolar illness?

Most people are not aware of the symptoms. Family members, friends, neighbours or school mates are more likely to observe changes in the person’s mood, thinking and behaviour. It's not enough to look out for the symptoms stated earlier. Mental health experts consider how the condition has disrupted everyday activities and rule out other physical conditions that may be confused with bipolar disorder.

RxH8:
Do you know of someone with bipolar illness?

Most people are not aware of the symptoms. Family members, friends, neighbours or school mates are more likely to observe changes in the person’s mood, thinking and behaviour. It's not enough to look out for the symptoms stated earlier. Mental health experts consider how the condition has disrupted everyday activities and rule out other physical conditions that may be confused with bipolar disorder.

I'd like to email you please. It's urgent.

WHAT CAUSES BIPOLAR DISORDER?

The exact cause is still unknown.However,it tends to run in families.
Nevertheless,most people with a family history of Bipolar Disorder will not develop the illness.



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The personality style of an individual,presence or absence of social support,stressful life events are other factors that may contribute to the recurrence of the condition too.





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HOW DO WE MANAGE BIPOLAR DISORDER?

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness.Nevertheless,with proper diagnosis and treatment,millions of people with Bipolar disorder live healthy and productive lives.




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Medications and talk therapy usually helps the individual to have better control of their mood swings and other symptoms.





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This week,I will be talking on a very important topic "HOW TO TELL IF A LOVED ONE IS ABUSING DRUGS"


People are often shocked to find out their child or loved one is abusing drugs.
In some cases, this may have been going on for years.
Failing to detect early use of alcohol or drugs should not come as a surprise.
Although the signs are always there, they are often easy to miss.



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