[via MSN Health & Fitness]
by Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness
Q: I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder. My mood swings have been going on for a number of years and have damaged many of my relationships. I’m on medication now and feel 100 percent better, but I cannot change what’s already happened. Do you have any suggestions on how to best explain my illness to relatives, friends and others?
A: Explaining bipolar disorder can be difficult. There are no specific blood tests or brain imaging scans to reveal the problem. The reason: Bipolar disorder is a malfunction of the brain that causes a varying pattern of behavior. It is only with careful study of a patient's actions and mood changes over many months—even years—are we able to make the diagnosis. Once this conclusion is made, people will need to accept that your problem isn't "all in your head." They should consider mental illness a very real medical condition, like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Just as those conditions affect a person’s quality of life, so does bipolar disorder.
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