Bipolar Disorder

Cherie Tenfel BSN RN

Kaplan University
May 2012
 Unit Objectives
Learners will be able to:

 Explain bipolar disorder

 Identify the range of moods that make up bipolar disorder
 Summarize a basic treatment plan for someone with bipolar
disorder
 Describe how people with bipolar disorder can help
themselves
 Discuss why people with bipolar disorder are at risk for
suicide
 Predict social issues that may affect a person with bipolar
disorder
“Mental illness is nothing to be
ashamed of, but stigma and bias
shame us all.”
~ Bill Clinton
 Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

 Define bipolar disorder

 Describe the difference between mania and depression
 Identify and distinguish between the symptoms of mania and
depression
 Identify the course of treatment for bipolar disorder
 Explain measures of self-help for bipolar disorder
 Identify at least three possible triggers of bipolar episodes
 List the at least four warning signs of suicide
 Explain how to help someone who is suicidal
 Describe the social stigma of bipolar disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?

Mood Disorder Affecting

 Thought
 Energy level
 Behavior
Moods Alternate Between “Poles”

Severe mania
High Hypomania

Normal Mood

Lows Mild depression

Severe depression
Mania

 Persistent abnormally
elevated irritable mood
 > one week
Symptoms of Mania
 Inflated self-esteem/grandiosity
 Decreased need for sleep
 Racing thoughts or "flight of
ideas"
 Spending sprees
 Increased physical/mental energy
 Irritability/aggressive behavior
 Impulsive/risk taking
 Increased sexual drive
Depression

Feeling down
Loss of interest in enjoyable things
Symptoms of Depression (Cont.)

 Weight loss/gain
 Insomnia/hypersomnia
 Psychomotor agitation/slow down
 Fatigue/loss of energy
 Decreased ability to concentrate/make
decisions
 Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide
Between Mania and Depression

 Hypomania

 Mixed state
Treatment
Medication

Lifestyle Long-term Therapy

Changes

Social
Support
Self-Help For Bipolar Disorder

 Monitor your moods

 Make healthy choices
 Seek support
 Keep stress in check
 Get educated
The Warning Signs of Suicide
 Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide
 Feeling hopeless/helpless/worthless
 Withdraw from friends/family
 Acting recklessly
 Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye
 Seeking out weapons or pills
How to Help Someone Who
is Suicidal
Recognize Warning Signs

Offer Support/Help/Listen

Take It Seriously/Get Them Help

What is Like to be Bipolar?
Social Stigma and Bipolar
Disorder…….
Questions?

Pick up your clickers and lets test what you have learned

Bipolar Disorder
Cherie Tenfel RN BSN
CherieTenfel@student.kaplan.edu
Kaplan University
References
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Helpguide. (n.d.). Suicide prevention: Spotting : The signs and helping a suicidal person. Retrieved from
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm

Helpguide. (n.d.). Understanding bipolar disorder. Retrieved from

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

Joskypay. (2007, December 5). How I would describe bipolar disorder [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtVTmi1TCVI&NR=1&feature=endscreen

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http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Depression&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=88858

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