Tuesday 30/03

Just some facts:

-Bipolar Disorder is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. PET (positron emission tomography) scans taken during depressed and manic states display the level of glucose consumed in the brain, and increased glucose consumption corresponds to increased brain activity. During manic states, consumption levels are outrageously high, but the scans of the depressed brain show only faint blips of consumption.

-If left untreated, one in seven sufferers commits suicide.

-Psychotic episodes (losing touch with reality, questioning your existence etc.) is prevalent amongst sufferers.

-Bipolar disorder is genetic. So, basically I can't help it - which is NOT the same as saying I won't take responsibility for my actions!

-There is no cure, only continued therapy and drugs will help.

-It takes an average of 10 years to get a proper diagnosis.

-A child with one parent diagnosed with bipolar disorder has a 15 to 30% risk of also having bipolar disorder. When both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50 to 75%