NAMI -> Bipolar Awareness Day

Washington, DC (openPR) 11 October 2007

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today publishes its fifth annual Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day, stressed the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment. People with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the estimated 10 million Americans are affected, experience alternating episodes of mania (high difficulty), depression (severe low) and mixed states which contain elements of both. Unfortunately, received seven out of ten people with bipolar disorder at least one misdiagnosis, and many years of waiting, accurate diagnosis.

young adults may be at particular risk of misdiagnosis. may be partly due to the age of onset, have extreme mood swings symptoms of bipolar disorder as “Teenage irritability are considered, while manic phases can be easily seen as high will be excited. In fact, 90 percent of people have been reported with bipolar disorder beginning before the age of 20 years experience.

“often the first signs of bipolar disorder are for negligent behavior or depression, which unfortunately means that many people live with this disease, not diagnosed for up to ten years are wrong,” said Kenneth Duckworth, MD, NAMI medical director and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “With an accurate diagnosis, people with bipolar disorder and is unable to resume their lives. It is important for people with mental illness and those who care for them, they remember fully and lead productive lives with appropriate treatment program. “

part of the HHMM, bipolar disorder Awareness Day was created to associate Americans about bipolar disorder in an effort to raise awareness, promote early detection and accurate diagnosis and reduce the stigma of mental illness.

accurate diagnosis and treatment are key

If mania and depression are not treated, people with bipolar disorder at high risk for suicide, drug abuse, incarceration and other adverse consequences. In fact, the mortality in people with untreated bipolar disorder is higher than for most types of heart disease and many types of cancer.

with an accurate diagnosis and treatment, people with bipolar disorder better treatment success rate (80 percent) than people with heart disease (45 percent). The main components of the process of treatment of people with bipolar disorder include medication, psychotherapy, support groups, and education about the disease. An estimated 80 percent can be effectively treated with medication and psychotherapy to 90 percent of people with bipolar disorder.

mania and depression just as destructive

Although often overlooked or misunderstood, mania can be as destructive as depression. If anyone knows an episode of mania feel productive and self-confident, can also lead to mania, rash decisions, the long-term consequences (financial, relationships, etc..) Conversely, if they have, can be lowered, can people with bipolar disorder have an interest deeply sad, irritable or ‘flat’ mood, loss of business as usual. Depression can also be physically debilitating that a person with bipolar disorder get up and out of bed.

If untreated, people with bipolar disorder are at high risk for suicide, or about 25-50 percent of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once, one of the highest rates for any psychiatric disorder. Nearly 40 percent of those who abused alcohol and treated with drugs, it is extremely difficult to keep a steady job and end up in some cases in prison.


About NAMI


NAMI supports a national effort to address the basic American system of mental health care, fighting to turn against stigma, support research and attain adequate health insurance, housing, rehabilitation, employment and family support for millions of Americans living with mental disease. 1100 NAMI members are given to public education, advocacy and support and generous donations of thousands of dedicated people and government grants, foundations and companies. NAMI’s greatest asset, however, is its volunteers – who are estimated at $ 5,000,000 of its time.

signs of bipolar disorder

by extreme changes in mood, energy dominated, and functioning, bipolar disorder is a chronic condition and usually requires a lifelong treatment. Symptoms of mania include: increased physical activity and mental energy, improved mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence, irritability and aggressiveness, decreased need for sleep without feeling fatigue, stop racing speech freedom of thought and, racing thoughts, impulsivity, impairment and distraction, and irresponsible behavior as spending sprees, sexual indiscretions, and / or alcohol abuse.

depression can be characterized by a loss of energy, prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells, changes in appetite and sleep disturbances, increased feelings of worry and fear, guilt or hopelessness, thoughts, concentrate inability to work or take decisions, social withdrawal , suicide, and / or use of chemicals or alcohol.


About

Awareness Day with bipolar disorder

This is the fifth annual Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day, which was created by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Abbott Laboratories supported by an unrestricted educational grant. The program aims to increase awareness of bipolar disorder, early detection and accurate diagnosis, and reduce stigma, the ultimate goal of increasing public commitment to early intervention and the provision of effective treatments.

Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day is part of the NAMI Mental Illness Awareness Week. For more information about bipolar disorder or bipolar disorder Awareness Day, visit www.nami.org / HHMM.


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Symptoms of bipolar disorder