Hello Everyone,

Today I have chosen a different subject, as it seems to preoccupy a large number of people.

For many years, in the sixties, I was watching a close relative, being diagnosed much later, suffering from "Bipolar Disorder".

So what is Bipolar? Wikipedia says : "Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder (historically known as manic-depressive disorder) is a psychiatric diagnosis for a mood disorder in which people experience disruptive mood swings".

And oh yes, talking about our relative, when in cheerful mood, it was a fantastic experience. He seemed to be a strong leader. People often asked him for advice. But then, Heavens knows how, his mood changed to be totally on the opposite side: meaning depression. He is too fragile, was his mum's explanation. He need to rest, then it will pass.

For days we did not dare to talk to him, nor even making noise in his vicinity. He stood for hours in his room pretending to study. In fact he was so depressed that he did not want to show himself out.

At that time no one could figure out, the reason for such a change. In fact nobody could or was knowledgeable enough to make a statement. Until accidentally, someone gave the advice to his family, for him to see a psychiatrist.

One important fact we know these days, is to distinguish Bipolar disorder from a simple depression!!!

We all go thru simple depression once in a while. The reason could simply be a change of weather like rainy days for example or death etc.... So we call such a process simply "getting a bit depressed".

But what is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar means two extremes. As we know now, it is a mood disorder, distinguished by its typical mood, of severe "ups and downs". The person suffering is really distressed.

One may show an extreme great happiness, even cheerful during a certain length of period followed by a time of excessive depression .

Normally until a diagnosis is made, the person suffering from Bipolar Disorder often is not even aware of a having particular disorder.

Someone observant this metamorphosis on someone else, should definitely suggest that this situation should be urgently discussed with a physician. He will understand the problem better than others, he will suggest to see a specialist.

(Here I like to add, that it might take a while to find THE specialist with whom one can feel at ease to discuss the problem.. Maybe, if not satisfied with the first result, it would be wise to see another one and compare).

The patient will often describe his suffering as "something gripping", influencing feelings, health, emotions having an impact of his/her daily behavior.

This type of comportment again, as seen before, will have a chain reaction amongst family members, friends or acquaintances. Why? The entourage does not understand what is actually going on? Unless the patient has the courage of informing.

• Again the very first step is talking to a Physician about the problem.
• Step two: he will then refer the person to a specialist.
• Step three: the specialist confirms Bipolar,
• Step four: accept it - as a fact. Nothing to be ashamed of.

And yes, there is Help! It is vital to improve the quality of one's life.

Further improvements could come:

• by reading books
• making some research on the Internet
• joining a group
• talking on forums to people having Bipolar Disorder.
• Sharing the own experience with relatives, friends, acquaintances

Hoping that this information might be useful, I wish you All

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a GREAT START in 2013.

Cheers Elia