Songbird,
Have your fiance read this post and it might help him understand it in fairly simple terms:
Provided by A.D.A.M., Inc.
<!--Do nothing with titleabbrev for now--><!--do nothing with article info for now--><!--do nothing with abstract for now--><!--do nothing with article info for now--><!--put comment to force the end tag of span-->Definition <!--parent is section-->
<!--parent is para-->
Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease affecting over 2 million Americans at some point in their lives. The American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" describes two types of bipolar disorder, type I and type II.
<!--parent is para-->In type I (formerly known as manic depressive disorder), there has been at least one full manic episode. However, people with this type may also experience episodes of major depression.
<!--parent is para-->In type II disorder, periods of "hypomania" involve more attenuate (less severe) manic symptoms that alternate with at least one major depressive episode. When the patients have an acute exacerbation, they may be in a manic state, depressed state, or mixed state.
<!--put comment to force the end tag of span-->Causes, incidence, and risk factors <!--parent is section--><!--parent is para-->
Everyone feels "blue" at one time or another, or "good" at other times. People who suffer from bipolar disorder, however, have pathological mood swings from mania to depression, with a pattern of exacerbation and remission that are sometimes cyclic.
<!--parent is para-->The manic phase is characterized by elevated mood, hyperactivity, over-involvement in activities, inflated self-esteem, a tendency to be easily distracted, and little need for sleep. The manic episodes may last from several days to months.
<!--parent is para-->In the depressive phase, there is loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, sadness, and a risk of suicide. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances which worsen the symptoms.
<!--parent is para-->The disorder appears between the ages of 15 and 25, and it affects men and women equally. The exact cause is unknown, but it is a disturbance of areas of the brain which regulate mood. There is a strong genetic component. The incidence is higher in relatives of people with bipolar disorder.
<!--put comment to force the end tag of span-->Symptoms <!--parent is section-->
- Alternating episodes of mania and depression (may only have episodes of mania, if Bipolar type I)
In the manic phase the following symptoms can be seen:
- Increase in goal-directed activities (either socially or at work)
- Increased energy
- Distractibility
- Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- Increased involvement in activities that may be pleasurable, but may have dire consequences (e.g., spending sprees)
- Decreased need for sleep (person feels rested after 3 hours of sleep)
- Patient may be more talkative than usual or may feel pressured to speak
- Easily agitated or irritated
- Lack of self-control
In hypomanic episodes, symptoms are similar, but fewer and/or less intense. Delusions, (false beliefs based on incorrect information about external reality) if present, may be congruent with mood (such as delusions of grandeur, or a sense of special powers and abilities).
<!--parent is para-->In the depressive phase patients may experience:
- Persistent sadness and depressed mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, pessimism, and "emptiness"
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Sleep disturbances
- Psychomotor retardation or agitation
- Withdrawal
- Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
- Fatigue
- Overwhelming sluggishness
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Loss of appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If delusions are present, they may be congruent with mood (such as delusions of worthlessness or accusing voices). In "atypical depression," patients sleep more than usual and have increased appetite.
Randy
Diagnosed with epilepsy and ulcerative colitis in 1979,
Post Edited (psychnurse) : 5/17/2005 9:28:28 AM (GMT-6)
Songbird, I am so glad to see that you are gong on medicine - firstly, make SURE you have a competent doc! Not a GP, a real psychiatrist.
Putting BPs on SSRI antidepressants is a not recommended by most pdocs they usually cause mania or psychosis in us, if not that, other untoward effects. Especially without a mood stabilizer!!!!! 
It's a very good thing your b/f wants to learn; my husband has become very knowledgable about it, too and I rely on him also to spot changes, problems, etc.
I wish you the very best - keep us posted, OK?
Shannon
hope we talk and share here will lead to more knowledge.
keep posting
katy