Before we get started with today's episode. I just want to say that I really enjoyed recording these podcasts. And if you enjoy listening to them, we both have anchored a Thang. If you haven't heard about anchor it's the easiest way to make a podcast. First of all, it's free second of all their creation tools that allow you to record and edit your podcast right from your phone or computer and anchor will distribute your podcast for you. So it can be heard on Spotify Apple podcasts and many more the cool thing is you can make money from your podcast with no minimum listenership. It it's everything you need to make a podcast all in one place download the free anchor app or go to Anchor dot. F m-- to get started bipolar disorder. Let's talk about it. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world indeed. It's the only thing that ever has Margaret Mead. Hi. My name is Ethan and I suffer from bipolar disorder addiction anger issues body dysmorphia and morbid obesity. In fact at my heaviest. I was north of 650 pounds growing up. I never felt comfortable asking for help or being vulnerable. My goal is to create a space where you can feel safe enough to be vulnerable and shake the Negative stigmas that are attached to mental health. Let's be vulnerable and give others the strength to do the same. Let's talk about it. So one of the things that I want to do with this podcast is normalized things that people don't normally talk about things that are kind of taboo or things were just not supposed to talk about in today's society. One of those things that are personal and one of those things that I deal with is bipolar disorder now a couple disclaimers to start out with one. I'm not a doctor. I'm not a psychologist. I am not here to try and help you diagnose yourself. I'm not here to diagnose you. If you feel like any of these things that I talked about resonate with you, please please please reach out and seek professional help. I am not Doctor, I cannot over emphasize that enough. The other thing I want to mention is that as of right now me recording this episode. I have not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have simply done a lot of research and self-diagnosis. Hope to very soon be professionally diagnosed. So I'm going to run a series about bipolar disorder where I basically read some articles talk about my experience compare my life to what these articles are mentioning and and hopes that it helps. Has someone whether it helps someone feel normal gives them a little better understanding of what's going on in their mind or help someone understand one of their loved ones or their friends a little better. So let's talk about bipolar disorder. The article I'm reading from today is for from National Institute of Mental Health. The link will be in the show notes for the article the exact article I'm reading from let's get started bipolar disorder the overview bipolar disorder also known as manic-depressive illness is a brain disorder that causes us. Usual shifts in mood energy activity levels and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder all of them involve clear changes in mood energy and activity levels these moods rain from periods of extremely up elated and energized Behavior known as manic episodes to very sad down or hopeless periods known as depressive episodes less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes. Polar one disorder defined by manic episodes that last at least seven days or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care usually depressive episodes occur as well. Typically lasting at least two weeks episodes of depression with mixed features having depression and manic symptoms at the same time are also possible bipolar two disorder defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and a hypomanic episodes, but not to the full-blown manic. Episodes described above cyclothymic disorder also called cyclothymia defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well as numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least two years or one year in Children and adolescents. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes other specified and unspecified bipolar related disorder defined by bipolar disorder symptoms. That do not match the three categories listed above signs and symptoms people with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion changes in sleep patterns and activity levels and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called mood episodes signs and symptoms people with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion changes in sleep patterns and activity levels and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called mood. it's Odes mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person extreme changes in energy activity and sleep go along with mood episodes people having manic episodes may feel very up high or related have a lot of energy have increased activity levels feel jumpy or wired have trouble sleeping become more active than usual talk really fast about a lot of different things be agitated irritable or touchy feel like their thoughts are going very fast think they can do a lot of things at once or do risky things like spend a lot of money or have Reckless sex people having a depressive episode may feel very sad down empty or hopeless have very little energy have decreased activity levels have trouble sleeping. They may sleep too little or too much feel like they can't enjoy anything feel worried and empty have trouble concentrating forget things a lot. Too much or too little feel tired or slowed down or think about death or suicide. Sometimes a mood episode includes symptoms of both Manic and depressive symptoms. This is called an episode with mixed features people experiencing an episode of mixed features may feel very sad empty or hopeless while at the same time feeling very energized bipolar disorder can be present even when mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience. And hypomania a less severe form of mania during a hypomania episode. The individual may feel very good be highly productive and function. Well, the person may not feel that anything is wrong but family and friends May recognize the mood swings and or changes in activity level as possible bipolar disorder without proper treatment people with hypomania, May develop severe Mania or depression. Hmm. Okay. So for those of you that remember when I was building, The sound booth this is what I was talking about hypomania. I feel like I had a minor manic episode which allowed me to work 12 hours straight to build this sound booth. Interesting. Also one of the things that I talked about is if I did not intervene with what I thought was causing the manic episode, which is my diet. The fear was that it was going to develop into a depression because usually when I go up or Manic the only place I go after that is down diagnosis. Proper diagnosis and treatment help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives talking with a doctor or other licensed mental health professional is the first step for anyone who thinks he or she may have bipolar disorder the doctor can complete a physical exam to rule out other conditions. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses the doctor May conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health professional such as a psychiatrist who's experienced in diagnosing. Treating bipolar disorder who this is interesting. This includes a note for healthcare providers people with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience help when they are depressed than when experiencing Mania or hypomania. Therefore a careful medical history is needed to ensure that the bipolar disorder is not mistakenly diagnosed as major depression unlike people with bipolar disorder people who have depression only also called unipolar depression. Do not experience Mania they may however experience some Manic symptoms at the same time which is also known as major depressive disorder with mixed features bipolar disorder and other illnesses some bipolar disorder symptoms are similar to other illnesses, which can make it hard for a doctor to make a diagnosis. In addition many people have bipolar disorder along with other illnesses such as anxiety disorder substance abuse or eating disorder people with bipolar disorder are also at high risk for thyroid disease migraine headaches heart disease diabetes obesity and Their physical illnesses psychosis, sometimes a person with severe episodes of mania or depression also has psychosis symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions The Psychotic symptoms tend to match the person's extreme mood. For example, someone having psychotic symptoms during a manic episode May believe she is famous has a lot of money or has special powers someone having psychotic symptoms during a depressive episode May believe that he is ruined and penniless or that he has committed a crime as a result people with bipolar disorder who also have psychotic symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed with schizophrenia anxiety and ADHD anxiety disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ADHD are often diagnosed among people with bipolar disorder substance abuse people with bipolar disorder may also misuse alcohol or drugs have relationship problems or perform poorly in school or at work family friends and people experiencing. Tim's may not recognize these problems as signs of a major mental illness such as bipolar disorder risk factors scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder most agree that there is not one single cause instead. It's likely that many factors contribute to the illness or increased risk brain structure and functioning some studies show that the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy people or people with other mental disorders learning more about these differences along with new information from genetic studies help scientists better understand bipolar disorder and predict which types of treatments will work. Most effectively genetics some research suggests that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others but genes are not the only risk factor for bipolar disorder studies of identical twins have shown that even if one twin developed stuff bipolar disorder, the other twin does not always develop the disorder despite the fact that the identical twin shares all of the same genes. Family history bipolar disorder tends to run in families children with parents or siblings who have bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness compared with children who do not have family history of the disorder. However, it is important to note that most people with family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness treatments and therapies treatment helps many people even those with the most severe form of bipolar disorder gain better control. Of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms and effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness episodes of mania and depression. Typically typically come back over time between episodes many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes. But some people may have lingering symptoms long-term continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms medications different types of medications can help control the symptoms. Eames of bipolar disorder an individual may need to try several different medications before finding ones that work best medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants. Anyone taking medication should talk with a doctor or pharmacist to understand the risk in the benefits of the medication report any concerns about side effects to a doctor right away. The doctor may need to change the dose or try a different medication avoid stopping a medication without talking to a doctor first suddenly stopping. Medication may lead to a rebound or worsening of bipolar disorder symptoms other uncomfortable or potential dangerous withdrawal effects are also possible report serious side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration at the FDA Psychotherapy when done in combination with medication Psychotherapy also called Talk therapy can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support education and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families some psycho therapy treatments. Used to treat bipolar disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy CBT family focused therapy interpersonal and social Rhythm therapy and psychoeducation other treatment options electroconvulsive therapy ECT. ECT can provide relief for people with severe bipolar disorder who have not been able to recover with other treatments. Sometimes ECT is used for bipolar symptoms when other medical conditions including pregnancy make taking medication to Risky ECT may cause some short term side effects including confusion disorientation and memory loss people with bipolar disorder should discuss possible benefits and risks of ECT with a qualified health professional. Not much research has been conducted on herbal or natural supplements and how they may affect bipolar disorder. It's important for a doctor to know about all prescription drugs over-the-counter medication and supplements. A client is taking certain medications and supplements taken together may cause unwanted or dangerous. This affects keeping a life chart even with proper treatment mood changes can occur treatment is more effective when a client and doctor can were close closely together and talk openly about concerns and choices keeping a life chart the records daily mood symptoms treatments sleep patterns and life events can help clients and doctors track and treat bipolar disorder. Most effectively. I find it interesting that nowhere in this article doesn't talk about diet. Nowhere in this article. Does it talk about controlling bipolar disorder? Does it talk about controlling mood swings based on your diet? I have found that the further away I get from sugar and a heavily processed foods the more control. I have over my mood swings. The sad thing is we have all these medications out there which you have to it's basically a guessing game at first the doctor guesses goes. Okay. I think this is what's going to work for you and then you discover it doesn't work for you and you have to play that game all over again until you find something that kind of works for you. And even then all of those medications have some severe and and gnarly side effects. And nowhere in this article. Nowhere in this article. Does it talk about controlling your diet and how diet can directly affect bipolar disorder and at this point the hypothesis that I'm running with? Like I said is the further away I get from sugar the better off I am. That's why I'm doing this. It's why I'm doing this whole thing. So I'm doing Instagram because I genuinely believe at this point in my journey that sugar. Has a direct effect on a direct correlation with my mood swings. So I'm going to keep talking about it. Like I'm going to keep talking about it. I'm constantly going to talk about it until people start to hear it and people start to believe it as of right now. I have not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But like I said, I very very soon. Hope to be simply because that validates everything I'm doing. I feel like for me I can't you know, I still have to use the disclaimer that I'm undiagnosed bipolar disorder which kind of takes away in my opinion from all the discoveries that I've made but once I can be diagnosed as bipolar disorder that I can go Okay, cool. So May 27th of 2020 will be exactly one year since I have had a depressive state. As I'm recording this it's been six months since I've had a depressive State. I took in I took in an excessive amount of sugar more than I than I normally would take in and I had a hypomanic state. I was in a hypomanic state and then to avoid going dark. I stopped taking in Sugar. I stopped eating off playing and I haven't gone dark. I haven't gone to press to so there is the hypothesis that I'm running with right now is that there is a direct correlation between My intake of sugar and my mood swings yet for some reason in this article. Nowhere. Nowhere in treatment. Does it talk about diet? So that's what I'm gonna try. I'm going to try and change that I'm going to try and bring that to light. That's my goal. That is my goal with this podcast. That is my goal with Instagram. That is my goal whenever I talk about bipolar disorder. Again disclaimer. I'm not a doctor. I'm not here to diagnose. These episodes are not here to diagnose you. If something resonates with you and you you feel like you may have bipolar disorder. Please reach out to a medical professional and ask for help because I have said it before and I'll say it again. I am not a medical professional. I'm just a guy that's been studying himself and experimenting on himself and trying different things for 10 years all in this one the way I end all of them. You already know how it goes. You are beautiful you are worth it. It and as long as you are willing to put the work in hope we'll always be there. Until the next one.
I’ve decided to do a series on bipolar disorder to try and help those without it understand it a little better. Just a quick disclaimer. Things I am not: A doctor A dietitian An expert A specialist Things that I am: Someone who has lost over 300lbs over the last nine years Someone who proudly labels himself as a gym rat Someone who is willing to be completely transparent in hopes of helping others realize they are not alone in the fight. Someone who is hoping to help others using the tools I have developed from my own experiences. I am so incredible grateful for you giving me time out of your day, if anything I have said touches you or brings up thoughts or topics you'd like to discuss or you'd like to be a guest on our podcast, the best place to reach me would be on Instagram @Depressed2Determined. I'm sure they would all appreciate it! You are beautiful, You are worth it, and as long as you are willing to put the work in hope will always be there! 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255  ---   This episode is sponsored by  · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. 