Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: The LO Down

Imagine waking up some mornings excited to be alive, ready to take on anything, and then other mornings, waking, and finding yourself barely willing to open your eyes due to an overwhelming feeling of depression.

For many young adults this is commonplace; this is the rollercoaster they've come to know as everyday life. These daily, manic highs and depressed lows have in many cases been directly related to, or are, the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness---God knows I hate the stigmas associated with that term. I want to see those stigmas erased. I live with a bipolar family member; this disease is real to me. It's time to stop skirting around important topics such as the health of our brains simply because the term "mental illness" makes some people squirm.

I'm pretty certain I speak for many when I say our brains and sanity are very important, so bringing this topic out of the dark should be enlightening, not frightening.

Chances are every family has at least one member with a mental illness of some flavor or another. Bipolar disorder alone affected 2.3 million Americans in 2003, according to a bipolar disorder fact sheet. It's possible that you too may have some chemical imbalances taking place within your cranium.

According to a National Institute of Mental Health online article, the median age of onset for Bipolar Disorder is 25 years. With that said, my dear college-aged colleagues, now might not be a bad time to begin some self-analyzing.

With the information found in a Revolutionhealth.com feature on Bipolar Disorder, and my own personal experience and knowledge gained from living with a bipolar family member, I can attest that the following symptoms are indeed legitimate.

Bipolar disorder isn't easy to pinpoint because symptoms can be found on two very different levels. There are the symptoms of mania, or the "highs" of Bipolar Disorder. These symptoms often include feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem, rapid speech, agitation and increased physical activity.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder highs also include poor judgment, recklessness or taking chances not normally taken, difficulty sleeping, and aggressive behavior.
Next, but equally important, are the "lows" of Bipolar Disorder. These symptoms include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness, disturbances in sleep and appetite, loss of interest in daily activities, problems concentrating, and recurring thoughts of suicide.

Those with Bipolar Disorder who haven't been diagnosed yet have a tendency to abuse drugs and alcohol. Lastly, 30 percent of the population with Bipolar Disorder who have not yet been diagnosed will commit suicide this year. I don't want to creep anyone out; I just want everyone to be aware.

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