Bipolar Disorders

What is bipolar disorder?

If you have bipolar disorder you will experience periods or ‘episodes’ of highs known as mania or hypomania and usually, periods of depression.

You may also have symptoms of psychosis, i.e. problems with thinking things that are not true (delusions) and seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations).

What does bipolar disorder feel like?

Bipolar disorder is a complex illness which can vary a great deal in nature and severity between people.

In bipolar disorder, a person can have:

• manic or hypomanic periods (or ‘episodes’)
• depressive periods
• mixed periods

Mania is at the extreme end. Some people with mania develop something called psychosis.  This is when someone has strong, bizarre beliefs e.g. that they have superhuman powers. 'Hypomania’ is a milder form of mania. Equally, sometimes people with severe depression can develop psychosis.

What causes bipolar disorder?

Research suggests that bipolar disorder runs in families, and genes can influence whether someone develops the illness. We also know that the brain systems involved in controlling our moods work differently in people with bipolar disorder.

Factors such as life stress, lack of sleep and recreational drugs can trigger mood episodes

How can I get help for bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can cause a great deal of distress, but there is a lot that can be done to stay as well as possible. This includes lifestyle changes, medication and talking treatments.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle changes are really important. Getting more exercise, eating healthily and sleeping well can help you avoid becoming unwell. Take some time out every day to do something relaxing, such as listening to music, gardening, or going for a walk. Avoid alcohol or other drugs.

Have a plan

Even if you are well now, you may have more episodes of low or high mood in the future. Try to have a plan in place in case you become unwell again.

Groups

Talk to other people who have bipolar disorder. Their knowledge and experience can be helpful. Organisations such as MeHUCA  (https://www.medcol.mw/mehuca/) can help you to do this.

Medication

For many people with bipolar disorder medication is a key part of staying well.

Some medications work by preventing the extreme highs or lows caused by the condition; these are known as mood stabilisers, and often need to be taken daily for long periods. Other medications may then be used to treat episodes of high or low moods when they happen.

It is crucial to take medication regularly as prescribed because stopping and starting suddenly can make things worse.

There are many medications for bipolar and finding the one that works the best for you can take time – try to be patient.

If you have bipolar, are female, and planning a family, you should discuss it with your doctor. There are many important issues to consider around bipolar disorder and pregnancy.

Tips for families, partners and carers

• A loved one with bipolar disorder may need your help to stay well.

• Try to be open and understanding about their condition. Ask them about their concerns and how you can help.

• Talk to the mental health professionals who are looking after them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and for advice.

• Don’t assume that every small mood change or disagreement is related to the illness.

• Have a plan for what to do if your relative becomes unwell in the future.

Talk to others who care for people with bipolar disorder They may have experienced similar situations and have useful tips. Organisations such as MeHUCA  (https://www.medcol.mw/mehuca/) can help you to do this.

Kodi matenda a baipola ndichani?

Ngati munthu ali ndi matenda a Baipola amakhala ndi nthawi yosangalala monyanyira komanso kawirikawiri nthawi yokhumudwa.

Munthu angathenso kukhala ndi zizindikiro za misala monga mavuto ndi kuganiza zinthu zoti sizioona komanso kumaona kapena kumamva zinthu zoti palibe.

Kodi zizindikiro za Baipola ndi chani?

Matenda a baipola ndi ovuta chifukwa amatha kusiyana kwambiri malingana ndi munthu yemwe akudwala matendawa.

Munthu odwala matendawa amakhala ndi:

• Nthawi zosangalala monyanyira
• Nthawi zokhumudwa
• Nthawi yophatikizana yosangalala monyanyira ndiponso yokhumudwa.

Kusangala konyanyira kumakhala kumapeto kwenikweni.  Anthu ena omwe ali ndi matenda osangalala monyanyira amathanso kukhala ndi misala. Akakhala ndi misala ndipamene munthu amakhala ndi maganizo achilendo mwachitsanzo, kuti iyeyo ali ndi mphamvu ngati Mulungu. Nthawi zina anthu omwe ndi okhumudwa amathanso kukhala ndi misala.

Kodi chimayambitsa matendawa ndi chani?

Kafukufuku akusonyeza kuti matenda a baipola amayenda m’magazi (ngati wachibale anadwalapo) ndipo majini amathandizira kuti munthu adwale kapena asadwale matendawa. Timadziwanso kuti ubongo omwe umatilamulira khalidwe (kusangala kapena kukhumudwa/kukwiya) umagwira ntchito mosiyana ndi anthu amene amadwala matenda a baipola.

Zinthu ngati mavuto kapena zokhoma za moyo, kusagona komanso mankhwala ozunguza bongo ndi mowa zingayambitse matenda a m’khalidwewa.

Kodi thandizo ndingalipeze bwanji lamatenda a baipola?

Matenda a baipola angathe kumvetsa chisoni kwa munthu yemwe akudwala, koma pali zinthu zambiri zomwe munthu angathe kupanga kuti akhale bwino bwino. Kusintha makhalidwe, mankhwala ndi thandizo lina zingathe kumuthandiza.

Makhalidwe - Kusintha makhalidwe nkofunikira kwambiri. Kupanga masewero olimbitsa thupi, kudya zakudya zopatsa thanzi komanso kugona kwambiri kungapangitse kupewa matendawa. Tsiku lina lilonse khalani ndi nthawi yopanga zinthu zomwe zingakukhazikeni mtima pansi monga ngati kumvetsera nyimbo, kulima, kapena kukangoyenda. Pewani mowa komanso mankhwala ozunguza bongo.

Khalani ndi lingaliro

Ngati muli bwino panopa, mutha kudzakhala ndi nthawi yokhumudwa kapena kusangalala monyanyira mtsogolo. Khalani ndi lingaliro lopangiratu mutakhala kuti mwadzadwalanso matendewa.

Magulu - Lankhulani ndi anthu ena amene ali ndi matendewa. Nzeru ndi Kuzindikira kwawo zingathe kukuthandidzani. Mabungwe monga ngati MeHUCA (https://www.medcol.mw/mehuca/) angathenso kuthandiza.

Mankhwala - Kwa anthu ambiri amene ali ndi matenda a baipola mankhwala ndi mbali yayikulu yopangitsa kuti akhale ndi moyo wangwiro.

Mankhwala ena amathandiza kuti munthu usasangalale monyanyira kapenanso kukhumudwa zimene zimabwera Kamba ka matendawa. Munthu amayenera kumwa mankhwalawa tsiku ndi tsiku kwa nthawi yayitali. Mankhwala ena amathandiza pokhapokha munthu wasangalala monyanyira kapena wakhumudwa.

Nkofunikira kwambiri kumwa mankhwala mwandondomeko yake chikukwa kusiya mwazizi ndikuyambiranso zingapangitse matendawa kukula kwambiri.

Pali mankhwala ambiri a matenda a baipola ndipo kupeza okuyanjani zingathe kutenga nthawi, kotero muyenera kukhala odekha

Ngati muli ndi baipola, ndipo ndinu wamkazi, ndipo mukufuna kulowa m’banja, onetsetsani kuti mwakambirana ndi adokotala. Pali zinthu zambiri zofunikira kudziwa zokhudzana ndi mimba ngati munthu ali ndi matenda a baipola.

Malangizo kwa achibale, wokondedwa ndi omwe akumusamaliran munthu yemwe ali ndi vutoli.

• Wokondedwa wanu yemwe ali ndi matenda a baipola afuna thandizo lanu
• Khalani omasuka komanso omvesetsa za matenda a m’bale wanu. Afunseni zomwe zili kumtima kwawo ndipo kuti inuyo mungathandizepo bwanji.
• Lankhulani ndi adokotala othandidza maganizo angwiro amene akusamalira wodwalayo. Osaopa kufusa mafunso komanso malangizo
• Osaganiza kuti chisangalalo chilichonse, kusakondwa kulikonse kapena kusagwirizana mzochitika kulikonse ndi Kamba ka matendawa.
• Khalani ndi lingaliro kuti mudzapanga chani m’bale wanu akadzadwalanso mtsogolo.