Your friends introduced you to a new member in your theater actors' guild.  She easily caught everybody's attention with her energy and extraordinary cheeriness.  That night's practice has ended and everybody was raring to get home.  However, your new found friend surprisingly invited you to go the disco.  You declined but gave her your home number instead.  You awoke to a call and heard her sobbing on the phone.  She was ranting about how miserable her life is and how she just wants to end her life right there and then!  Nobody would want to be in this shocking situation but what you just read is a reality of a brain disorder called bipolar mania or manic-depressive illness.  

All about Bipolar Mania

Bipolar mania is a biological disorder characterized by manic as well as depressive episodes.  As described above, a person with bipolar disorder shows symptoms of extreme exhilaration at one moment then severe depression the next instant.  In particular, manic signs and symptoms include amplified energy, disturbing behavior, poor judgment, restiveness, and a reduced need for sleep.  Meanwhile, the depressive state is recognized by feelings of hopelessness, intense grief, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities among others.  What is alarming about bipolar mania is that an individual may resort to suicide if it goes unattended.  

Still, statistics have shown that bipolar mania is affecting a significant number of individuals in the United States at 5.7 million of the total population.  You would not wish it will happen to you or any of your loved ones but if it does, you have to get ready with all the vital information especially on how you can be of best help to them.  
                         
Bipolar Treatment Modalities

Even if bipolar mania is a long-term challenge, the condition can be treated through a combination of approaches.  One is through the medical method.  The medications available for this condition are termed as mood stabilizers.  The most common is Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) while others are prescribed with anti-convulsant medicines such as valproate (Depakote) or carbamazepine (Tegretol).  In addition, individuals with bipolar mania also see mental health professionals for cognitive or behavioral psychotherapy.  Lastly, psychosocial approaches to bipolar mania are deemed important to recovery as it involves family therapy, psychoeducation, and interpersonal therapy.  

Bipolar Support Groups

On the other hand, no medical or psychological approach is successful if it's not used in conjunction with other methods.  Joining bipolar support groups is an invaluable resource for an individual with bipolar.  Bipolar support groups are very educational because various discussions about the disorder are made at length.  More than the information though is the sharing of true-to-life experiences that makes the group relate well to each other.  

Being part of a support group offers a warm environment where a person doesn't have to feel alone and alienated from others.  Furthermore, bipolar support groups provide an opportunity to openly talk about the hardships and the pains while gaining acceptance from others.  Together, the group can brainstorm about local resources and how to get government support.

Bipolar Mania Prognosis

Whether a person with bipolar can or cannot cope with the disorder is out of the question.  Whether they get into one of the bipolar support groups which will see him through the process is the real determinant that has treatment value.  Indeed, individuals with bipolar are on their way to a fully-functioning life with the right kind of help from the right kind of people.