Living with the Dragon

This is a site dedicated to those who love someone who is Bipolar.

My Story

How I cope

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Bipolar Terminology Bipolar Disorder- A mood disorder characterized by extreme  shifts in mood states between severe depression and mania. Mania- A period of unrealistic restlessness, possible euphoria, sleeplessness, heightned sex drive, excessive activity characterized by disorganized behavior and impaired judgement (possible spending sprees and promiscuity). Also you can throw in hostility, irritability, and downright meanness. Hypomania- Less severe mood state than mania. Restlessness, irritability, less sleep than normal, but still able to function socially. They may start many projects, but leave them unfinished. May seem "hyper". Depression- A "blue" mood state where they have appetite changes (less or more), sleep changes (less or more), agitation or lethargy, and an overall feeling of hopelessness, and sadness. Many times the depressions can be so severe that those affected become suicidal. Cycles- The pattern in a bipolar person between the manic (or hypomanic) state and depression. Rapid Cycling- Where the biplor person "switches" back and forth between mania and depression very quickly, like in a matter of weeks or days (or even hours). Psychosis- A state (in either depression or mania) where a person experiences loss of touch with reality, may act out bizzare behaviors, have strange beliefs, and may even have hallucinations. Mixed States- An episode in Bipolar Disorder where the person may have characteristics of both mania and depression at the same time. Dysphoria- an "atypical" mood state that can happen with either mania or depression. It consists of severe hostility, which makes a label of "depression" or "maina" quite difficult. I call it "when satan visits" lol. Let me add that bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance of the brain. A person who suffers from this disorder has NO control of their extreame mood shifts. They CAN NOT be "stable" or "normal" without medication. The medication keeps their brains from "missfiring" and causing the mood changes. A bipolar person will have to take medication for the rest of their lives. No one "gets over" being bipolar, and so far, no one can be stable without medication.

What is bipolar disorder? Here are the main terms

My name is Kristall, I am married to Mark, who is bipolar. This is my story. No one suffers through mental illness alone.Cl

I want to thank all of you that have written to me and shared your story. I hope I have helped you in some little way. Each note from you means a lot to me. Thank you

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Bipolar Terminology Bipolar Disorder- A mood disorder characterized by extreme  shifts in mood states between severe depression and mania. Mania- A period of unrealistic restlessness, possible euphoria, sleeplessness, heightned sex drive, excessive activity characterized by disorganized behavior and impaired judgement (possible spending sprees and promiscuity). Also you can throw in hostility, irritability, and downright meanness. Hypomania- Less severe mood state than mania. Restlessness, irritability, less sleep than normal, but still able to function socially. They may start many projects, but leave them unfinished. May seem "hyper". Depression- A "blue" mood state where they have appetite changes (less or more), sleep changes (less or more), agitation or lethargy, and an overall feeling of hopelessness, and sadness. Many times the depressions can be so severe that those affected become suicidal. Cycles- The pattern in a bipolar person between the manic (or hypomanic) state and depression. Rapid Cycling- Where the biplor person "switches" back and forth between mania and depression very quickly, like in a matter of weeks or days (or even hours). Psychosis- A state (in either depression or mania) where a person experiences loss of touch with reality, may act out bizzare behaviors, have strange beliefs, and may even have hallucinations. Mixed States- An episode in Bipolar Disorder where the person may have characteristics of both mania and depression at the same time. Dysphoria- an "atypical" mood state that can happen with either mania or depression. It consists of severe hostility, which makes a label of "depression" or "maina" quite difficult. I call it "when satan visits" lol. Let me add that bipolar disorder is a chemical imbalance of the brain. A person who suffers from this disorder has NO control of their extreame mood shifts. They CAN NOT be "stable" or "normal" without medication. The medication keeps their brains from "missfiring" and causing the mood changes. A bipolar person will have to take medication for the rest of their lives. No one "gets over" being bipolar, and so far, no one can be stable without medication.