Bipolar Disorder

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World Bipolar Day


Once again, it is World Bipolar Day. We don’t celebrate the fact that we have bipolar disorder, we celebrate the fact that we are strong enough to live with it. So to all my fellow people who live with this illness, I celebrate you, your strength, your tenacity and determination to survive and even thrive with this illness. I have hope that with all the research that is going on, there will be better and better treatments available for us, until hopefully one day, the treatments will work so well that we won’t even be aware that we have this illness!

Until that day, we will band together, support each other, and write, write, write our blogposts to learn, blow off steam, inform, educate, offer support.

Congratulations fellow people with bipolar d/o, congratulations on your strength and determination!

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Changing Brain Connectivity May Prevent The Development Of Bipolar Disorder

“Siblings who did not exhibit the disorder were the resilient ones that exhibited similar abnormalities in connectivity of brain networks related to emotional processing. They also showed more changes in neuroplasticity to prevent the development of the disorder.”

http://www.counselheal.com/articles/19319/20160108/changing-brain-connectivity-prevent-development-bipolar-disorder.htm

By changing the wiring in the brain, it is possible to prevent bipolar disorder in patients, according to scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Bipolar disorder is an issue in the brain that leads to mood and energy fluctuations, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. It is also “highly heritable”, according to researchers.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  states that bipolar disorder affects close to 5.5 Americans who are above 18 years, or 2.6 percent of adults.

Scientists employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to map connectivity patterns in brains of individuals who showed symptoms of bipolar disorder. They also examined their siblings without the illness and finally “unrelated healthy individuals”.

“The ability of the siblings to rewire their brain networks means they have adaptive neuroplasticity that may help them avoid the disease even though they still carry the genetic scar of bipolar disorder when they process emotional information,” said lead study author Sophia Frangou, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a news release.

Siblings who did not exhibit the disorder were the resilient ones that exhibited similar abnormalities in connectivity of brain networks related to emotional processing. They also showed more changes in neuroplasticity to prevent the development of the disorder.

“A family history remains the greatest risk factor for developing bipolar disorder and while we often focus on risk, we may forget that the majority of those who fall into this category remain well,” added Frangou.

“Looking for biological mechanisms that can protect against illness opens up a completely new direction for developing new treatments. Our research should give people hope that even though mental illness runs in families, it is possible to beat the odds at the genetic lottery.”

The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

mood and energy fluctuations, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. It is also “highly heritable”, according to researchers.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  states that bipolar disorder affects close to 5.5 Americans who are above 18 years, or 2.6 percent of adults.

Scientists employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to map connectivity patterns in brains of individuals who showed symptoms of bipolar disorder. They also examined their siblings without the illness and finally “unrelated healthy individuals”.

“The ability of the siblings to rewire their brain networks means they have adaptive neuroplasticity that may help them avoid the disease even though they still carry the genetic scar of bipolar disorder when they process emotional information,” said lead study author Sophia Frangou, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a news release.

Siblings who did not exhibit the disorder were the resilient ones that exhibited similar abnormalities in connectivity of brain networks related to emotional processing. They also showed more changes in neuroplasticity to prevent the development of the disorder.

“A family history remains the greatest risk factor for developing bipolar disorder and while we often focus on risk, we may forget that the majority of those who fall into this category remain well,” added Frangou.

“Looking for biological mechanisms that can protect against illness opens up a completely new direction for developing new treatments. Our research should give people hope that even though mental illness runs in families, it is possible to beat the odds at the genetic lottery.”

The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

mood and energy fluctuations, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday tasks. It is also “highly heritable”, according to researchers.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance  states that bipolar disorder affects close to 5.5 Americans who are above 18 years, or 2.6 percent of adults.

Scientists employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to map connectivity patterns in brains of individuals who showed symptoms of bipolar disorder. They also examined their siblings without the illness and finally “unrelated healthy individuals”.

“The ability of the siblings to rewire their brain networks means they have adaptive neuroplasticity that may help them avoid the disease even though they still carry the genetic scar of bipolar disorder when they process emotional information,” said lead study author Sophia Frangou, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a news release.

Siblings who did not exhibit the disorder were the resilient ones that exhibited similar abnormalities in connectivity of brain networks related to emotional processing. They also showed more changes in neuroplasticity to prevent the development of the disorder.

“A family history remains the greatest risk factor for developing bipolar disorder and while we often focus on risk, we may forget that the majority of those who fall into this category remain well,” added Frangou.

“Looking for biological mechanisms that can protect against illness opens up a completely new direction for developing new treatments. Our research should give people hope that even though mental illness runs in families, it is possible to beat the odds at the genetic lottery.”

The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

2 Comments Posted on Bipolar Disorder, Posts

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression share genetic risk factors: Study

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From the article below. Again, immune involvement. “The researchers found strong associations between mechanisms related to immune function and changes in processes when genes are turned on and off. The findings confirm known mechanisms as well as revealing new ones that pertain to the development of psychiatric disorders.”

I know when I am in full blown mania and out of touch with reality, there is no difference between me and a person who has schizophrenia. The thing is that my getting to that point can be prevented by taking Lithium (for me), whereas a person with schizophrenia has a lot more trouble coming out from delusions, hallucinations and back in touch with reality.

http://www.belmarrahealth.com/schizophrenia-bipolar-disorder-and-major-depression-share-genetic-risk-factors-study/

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression have been found to share a genetic risk factor, according to a new study. Aside from the recent research, many previous studies also showed a genetic link between all three mental disorders. Below are synopses of the health studies that reveal the connection they all possess.

Study on shared genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression

Research published in Nature Neuroscience from the Louisiana State University Health Science Centers revealed a genetic risk factor that is shared between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Lead researcher, Nancy Buccola, and her team examined data from 60,000 participants, including those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism, attention deficit disorders as well as individuals without any diagnosed conditions.

Study on shared genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressionThe researchers found strong associations between mechanisms related to immune function and changes in processes when genes are turned on and off. The findings confirm known mechanisms as well as revealing new ones that pertain to the development of psychiatric disorders.

Treatments are available for many mental disorders but many patients do not obtain relief from such treatments. Buccola stated, “The PGC is a collaboration of some of the finest psychiatric genetic researchers in the world who are working together to understand the biology that underlies psychiatric disorders. This knowledge is critical in developing more effective and personalized treatments. I feel fortunate to make even a small contribution to this important work.”

Previous study shows schizophrenia and bipolar disorder cause dendritic spine loss in brain

Alternative research has found that schizophrenia and bipolar disorder both play a role in dendritic spine loss in the brain. The findings suggest that the two disorders share similar pathopsychological features.

Dendritic spines play a role in many brain functions. To achieve their results, researchers looked at individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and individuals not affected by either disorder.

Spine density was reduced in those with bipolar disorder and those with schizophrenia, when compared to the control group. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in spines per dendrite in both bipolar individuals and schizophrenics.

Lead researcher, Glenn T. Konopaske, M.D., said, “The current study suggests that spine pathology is common to both [schizophrenia] and [bipolar]. Moreover, the study of the mechanisms underlying the spine pathology might reveal additional similarities and differences between the two disorders, which could lead to the development of novel biomarkers and therapeutics.”

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD)

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD)Research has shown that bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD). In bipolar disorder, individuals experience intense lows in mood and euphoric highs. In major depressive disorder, individuals experience steady, intense lows in mood. Because episodes of low mood can last for days or even weeks in those with bipolar, it can lead to a misdiagnosis of major depressive disorder. Researchers are closing in on an objective to help distinguish between the two conditions in order to reduce misdiagnosis.

Current diagnostic methods involve interviews with the patient, but this can be subjective and misleading. Researchers decided to combine techniques together in order to create a more accurate diagnostic method. The techniques used are gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, which analyze the urine of patients with MDD and bipolar disorder in order to uncover biomarkers of each disorder. These biomarkers will allow doctors to improve diagnosis by 89 to 91 percent.

Depression in patients with schizophrenia

One study found that a quarter (25 percent) of those with schizophrenia also have course-related depression. Depression in schizophrenia patients is related to a reduction in social and vocational functioning and also increases the risk of a psychotic relapse.

Depression in schizophrenia often has poor outcomes; patients have more suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, and suicides.

It can be difficult to diagnose depression and schizophrenia separately as the “negative” symptoms related to schizophrenia can present themselves like depression. Negative symptoms refer to social withdrawal, low motivation and energy, difficulty experiencing pleasure or having interests and an impaired thought process; all symptoms seen in depression as well.

For the many similarities presented in both schizophrenia and depression, not only is distinguishing between the two difficult, but depression can often be seen in many schizophrenic patients as well.

From all the presented studies we see many links and associations between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. By continuing to make these links, we can obtain a better understanding of these mental disorders, which could greatly assist in developing more specific treatments that could offer more patients greater relief.

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“5 Reasons Why I’m Not Ashamed of My Mental Health Condition” by Rachel Griffin

This is a great article! I agree with all the points she addresses. I would add one more: How strong I am to overcome this illness and live a life that is loving, kind, helpful, positive and hopeful.

How about you? What do you agree with, disagree with and what would you add or change?

 

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-griffin/5-reasons-why-im-not-ashamed-of-my-mental-health-condition-_b_8483030.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

I used to feel ashamed of my mental health condition, but now I refuse to let stigma and stereotypes dictate how I feel about myself. If you stigmatize me, that’s yourignorance, not my truth. Cool people, who are educated about mental illness and confident in their own mental health, don’t stigmatize. Stigma is dated, cruel and just plain wrong. Get educated about mental illness and come over to the cool side.

People with mental illnesses are not less-than. They are not damaged. They are not what you see on TV, the news or in movies. They are people; brothers, mothers, fathers, daughters… People. They are valuable, vibrant, brilliant members of your community. They are 1 in 4 people, not some freaky monster you’ve never met.

I have an awesome, successful, happy life… and a mental health condition. Big deal. Get over it. Just because I’m different, doesn’t mean I’m broken. In fact, I like being different.

Shame is toxic to the human spirit. I’ve let it go and replaced it with pride and acceptance. You can shame me all you want and have a big ol’ shame party, but it’s my choice whether I attend or not. (I’m always busy with better, more important things to do than sit with shame.) Shaming yourself and others are both exhausting, heavy, soul-energy-sucking things to do. I’ll be by the pool with joy and acceptance if you want to join us.

I hope you’ll also let shame go and move forward with pride. Here are 5 reasons why I’m not ashamed anymore:

1. It’s not my fault. 

I didn’t choose this. It’s genetics. It’s not a character flaw or a negative personality trait. I’m not guilty of something. I don’t have a mental health condition because I’m weak, don’t try hard enough to change, don’t have enough willpower, eat too many donuts, like the attention, or haven’t read enough Oprah. It’s my brain being my brain. (For the record, though, I eat healthy and I’ve read a lot of Oprah. I’m eating cucumbers and having an aha-moment right. now.)

Depression is extremely different from normal sadness. Anxiety is not “just worrying.” People who have mental health conditions can’t just snap out of it. Know the facts.

2. My brain is actually awesome, and I’m in good company.

I’ve grown to love my brain. Ya, I have anxiety, I’m a human sponge for everyone’s feelings, and I’m so sensitive I’ll cry at a cheerios commercial, but the ability to feel so much is also gift. I have an extraordinary amount of empathy. My brain is out to lunch in some areas but it has extra mojo in other areas like creativity and imagination. I am an award-winning composer (writing a mental health musical!) music teacher, Dramatists Guild Fellow, and a published writer. My imagination may take me places I’m not so fond of (but I’m used to that by now) and it’s worth it for the beautiful places I can travel to. I’d rather trudge through mud and then dance in seas of glittery stars then walk on flat, easy plain all the time. It’s who I am and I’m also learning to appreciate the mud.. Hey, mud-pies! Mud-facials! Mud-baths!

People with mental health conditions are not doomed. Their future isn’t bleak and miserable. With treatment, they can live normal, wonderful lives and have happy, successful relationships!

People with mental health conditions are in good company! Think about all the people who made unbelievable contributions to the world who also struggled with mental health conditions! (Lincoln, Beethoven, Mozart, Tolstoy, Michelangelo… the lists goes on and on)

3. We all have weird minds.

Um… everyone’s mind is a little wonky. No one is thinking about unicorns skipping on rainbows (while it rains candy) all day. People with mental health conditions are not super strange aliens from a far off galaxy. (We are more like super heroes from a far off galaxy) We all have problems and struggles in life. No one is perfect. No one has a unicorn mind all the time.

4. I’m proud of how far I’ve coming and how I’ve helped/am helping others. 

It takes a lot of bravery to get help for a mental health condition and stick with treatment. It takes a lot strength to tell your story for the millionth time, advocate for yourself when your care is crappy, try a bunch of medicines until you find the right one (while the cray-cray list of side effects on the commercials plays in your mind) put up with everyone telling you what you should do to get better when they aren’t qualified to do so, have your claims denied by rich insurance companies when you can’t pay your bills, and be treated like a child and talked to in an odd condescending tone when you have a masters degree.

People say hope is right in front of you, but depression is a blindfold. It takes so much strength to keep searching in the dark.

Recovery is sort of like making an huge collage. You are always looking, finding, and pasting things that help you. Your your own work of art, a constant project. It takes a lot of energy and willpower. It takes being bad-ass. I’m proud that I am speaking out (not an easy decision) and trying to help others.

5.  My pain has become my power. 

I’m not ashamed of my pain. I think it’s made me a more compassionate person. I think it’s given me wisdom and inspiration. I believe pain can be like a question mark, asking us, “What will you do with me? Destruct or create?” It’s energy we can transform and put to use. I believe that our struggle and pain softens when we use it to create, and then with our art/work/writing we are able to soften pain living in others.  It becomes our power. It becomes our flashlight to hand to others who are still tripping in the darkness like we once were. I believe when we break down and lose everything, often we rebuild a stronger, wiser, more beautiful version of ourselves. I believe pain can be an asset. High-five, illness!

What are you proud of? I challenge you to #letshamego You have nothing to be ashamed of! You’re amazing.