Exceptionalities - Manic Depressive (Bipolar) Disorder

Signs and Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is marked by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). Depending on the type of Bipolar disorder, the intensity of the signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild to a severe condition.

Manic - More common manic signs and symptoms include:

• Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem
• Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity
• Poor judgment and recklessness (spending sprees, inappropriate sexual activity, poor business decisions/investing)
• Difficulty sleeping or needing little sleep
• Tendency to be easily distracted
• Extreme irritability

Hypomanic - Like manic, but symptoms are less severe. People may have an elevated mood, feel better than normal, and be more productive.

Depression - More common depression phase, signs and symptoms include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness
• Disturbances in sleep and appetite (too much or too little)
• Fatigue and loss of interest in your daily activities
• Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions
• Recurring thoughts of suicide or death

Mixed - Involves symptoms of both mania and depression occurring at the same time or alternating frequently during the day. For example, the person is excitable or agitated as in mania but also feels irritable and depressed.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

• In Bipolar I Disorder, a person has manic or mixed episodes and almost always has depressions as well.
  
  
• In Bipolar II Disorder, a person has only hypomanic and depressive episodes, not full manic or mixed episodes. This type is often hard to recognize because hypomania may seem "supernormal," especially if the person feels happy, has lots of energy, and avoids getting into serious trouble.
  
  
• In Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder, a person has at least four episodes per year, in any combination of manic, hypomanic, mixed, or depressive episodes.
  

Causes
Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. It is thought to involve a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors which can cause and trigger episodes of the illness.

There is some evidence indicating that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is often seen in families, indicating that there may be an underlying genetic cause for the disorder. The problem may be in the genes that regulate neurotransmitters. Another factor that may contribute to bipolar disorder is drug abuse. Stressful or psychologically traumatic events may also act as triggers for episodes of bipolar disorder.

Miles' Bipolar Disorder
For Miles, he would most likely be diagnosed as having Bipolar II disorder. Occasionally he sinks into complete depression and even exhibits some symptoms of catatonia! Miles' friends and family have lived with this and have even pet nicknames for him when he is in these states. When manic, he's been called everything from "that hyperactive little git" to "Miles the maniac". There is a great scene in Mirror Dance when Miles is being held prisoner in one of his manic phases. He paces and paces and paces...his thoughts (and mouth) running wild with ideas for escape. The woman that he is imprisoned with is very nearly ready to kill him. Miles apologizes and says that this is what it is like to live inside his head. Not too many people can stand it.

When Miles is in one of his depressions or "black moods" most people avoid him. However, in Memory there is concern that he just might commit suicide. Instead though, Miles has sunk into a catatonic state where he thinks that one thought per 15 minutes is just about the right speed. It takes a dunking in an ice bath from his cousin Ivan to brink him out of this state.

Most ordinary people look upon Miles as crazy. But thankfully he hasn't been to see a Betan psychologist - yet. Stress is definitely a trigger for Miles, and there aren't too many more stressful places to be than handicapped on Barrayar!

Links to other Sites about Manic Depressive/ Bipolar Disorder

Psycom.net - Bipolar Disorder - Manic Depression

American Psychiatric Association - Bipolar Disorder

Behave.net - Clinical Capsule - Bipolar Disorder

 

Other Miles' Exceptionality Pages

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