Risk factors for bipolar disorder are conditions or hereditary dispositions that increases an individual’s likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. The more risk factors that a person has, the greater their likelihood of contracting this disease is. Genetics is the one of the largest risk factors for bipolar disorder. An individual who has a blood relative who suffers from bipolar disorder is four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than a person who does not have such a relative. The statistics are similar for those who have relatives who suffer from minor to major depression.
Bipolar disorder usually develops in individuals between the ages of 16 to 24. It is thought by the medical community that bipolar disorder may also develop as a person’s response to stressful or major life changes, such as the death of a loved one or extended periods of stress. Scientific studies are currently underway to determine the role that drug and alcohol abuse play as a bipolar disorder risk factor.
Although doctors are unsure as to why, certain diagnosed childhood and adolescent ailments may lead to the development of bipolar disorder in an individual later in adolescence or in young adulthood. These ailments in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, social phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, and physical health problems, such as obesity.
Different types of medications, such as those for corticosteroids and certain thyroid conditions, and certain medical conditions can present with symptoms that similar to that of bipolar disorders. These potential causes for concern should be eliminated before the official diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made. Certain factors, such as an individual’s gender and birth order, may also place them at an elevated risk for the development of bipolar disorder. On average, women tend to have higher instances of cyclothemia and rapid mindset cycling that are associated with this disorder.
Bipolar Disorder Movies on the Big Screen
Bipolar disorder and manic depression has been the topic of several Hollywood films. Here are the best of the fiction movies about bipolar disorder. You may find some similarities in the stories of these movie characters in your own life or your loved one’s life.
A Fine Madness
The first on the list of bipolar disorder fiction movies is A Fine Madness. A Fine Madness was released Sept. 23, 1966 and stars Sean Connery, Joanne Woodward and Jean Seberg. In this fictional movie about bipolar disorder, A Fine Madness tells the story of a frustrated poet, Samson Shillitoe. Shillitoe is a woman magnet who is behind in alimony payments. Shillitoe lives with a woman named Rhoda, a waitress, who is very supportive of him. Rhoda tries to get Shillitoe to see a psychiatrist when he has a breakdown because he can’t seem to finish one of his big poem projects. A Fine Madness is 104 minutes in length.
You can purchase A Fine Madness from Amazon
Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones, released, Oct. 3, 1993, is a film about a man who seeks treatment from a female psychiatrist. The psychiatrist, Dr. Elizabeth “Libbie” Bowen, steps over the line of patient, doctor relationship when she falls in love with Mr. Jones. Richard Gere plays the role of Mr. Jones and Lena Olin plays the part of Dr. Bowen. The movie Mr. Jones is 114 minutes in length.
Mr. Jones is available from Amazon.
Blue Sky
Another one of the best fiction movies about bipolar disorder is Blue Sky. The movie Blue Sky is about a military couple, Hank and Carly Marshall. Hank Marshall is an Army engineer under a lot of pressure because he has taken a stance against nuclear testing. His wife, Carly, has a mood disorder which causes a lot of havoc at each new Army base. Blue Sky was released Sept. 16, 1994. It stars Jessica Lange has Carly Marshall and Tommy Lee Jones as Major Henry “Hank” Marshall. Blue Sky is 101 minutes in length.
You can purchase Blue Sky from Amazon.
Mad Love
Mad Love is another film on the list of best fictional movies about bipolar disorder. In this teen film, Matt Leland, straight laced good boy falls for Casey Roberts, a young lady dealing with mental issues. So much so that her parents check her into a mental hospital. Matt and Casey decide to run away together. Mad Love stars Drew Barrymore, Joan Allen and Chris O’Donnell. Based on reviews of the movie Mad Love, Barrymore has done a good job of portraying someone with mental illness. The movie has a run time of 93 minutes. It was released May 26, 1995.
Purchase Mad Love from Amazon here.
Bulworth
Bulworth is the last on our list of bipolar disorder movies, but certainly not the least. The movie Bulworth is about a senator, Senator Jay Bulworth, who has a manic depressive and suicidal episode during his re-election campaign. This movie has been reviewed as funny and clever in its approach. Bulworth stars Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Oliver Platt. It was released May 15, 1998 and is 108 minutes in length.
You can purchase Bulworth from Amazon.
Continue reading about The Best Fiction Movies about Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression
For people genetically at risk for manic depression, symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder can manifest in a person’s late teens or early twenties. Many people experience their first bipolar symptoms as they enter adulthood.
Because of hormonal changes teens go through it can hard for a parent or loved one to tell if their teenager is bipolar or just experiencing some natural moodiness. If bipolar disorder of mental illness runs in the family, it can send a parent or the teen into panic mode about the teen’s moodiness. It can make a person question if the teen is bipolar or not. That’s where a qualified mental health professional steps in to help.
If you have a teen, or you’re a teen wondering if you have bipolar disorder, check out these symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder in teenagers.
Signs of mania in teens include a decreased need for sleep, increased energy, racing thoughts, poor ju
dgment, a heightened mood, lots of irritability, aggression, having trouble concentrating and acting recklessly.
Signs of depression in teens include if the teen has lost interest in the usual things he or she has had interested in, drop in grades, loss of appetite, excessive worrying, overeating, thoughts of suicide or death and low energy.
Bipolar disorder symptoms in teens can be different from adults in that the teenager may experience rapid cycling more often going from mania to depression with the day.
If you are a teen and think you have bipolar disorder or depression, talk with a parent or another trusted adult to ask for help. You can get the diagnosis you need to get help for how you’re feeling. Being moody because of hormonal changes can be a part of growing up, but seek help if you feel as it’s something deeper than that.
There are numerous books to help teens with bipolar disorder. Here are a couple suggestions:
The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family
The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens, and Families: Real-Life Questions with Up-to-Date Answers
Mental illness, including bipolar disorder, is often seen as a taboo topic in society, but there are brave men and women that share their stories through personal bipolar disorder blogs. And they share without shame. If you are bipolar, you may find it helpful to follow along with the experiences of these bipolar bloggers.
Here is some information about four bipolar-related personal blogs.
1. Julie Fast, Bipolar Happens. In this blog Fast shares her experiences with bipolar disorder and how she copes with mood swings. She was diagnosed in 1995, a year after her partner was diagnosed with the illness. In addition to her her bipolar blog, Fast is the author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder
2. Philip Dawdy, Furious Seasons. In the second bipolar blog on the list, Dawdy, a journalist, writes about bipolar disorder and mental health issues. He was diagnosed in 1989, when bipolar disorder was known as manic depression. Now he blogs tackling the many complex issues surrounding the mental health community.
3. Seaneen, The Secret Life of a Manic-Depressive. This third bipolar blog is written by a woman from the United Kingdom. It gives a personal glimpse into her life with bits of humor and seriousness, depending on what’s going on in her life at the time.
4. Susan Bernard, Bipolar Wellness Writer. Four on this list of personal bipolar blogs is another professional writer, Susan Bernard, who shares her experiences having survived more than 100 depressive episodes. She shares her personal opinions on life with manic depression and tells how she sees it.
Hopefully you will find these personal bipolar disorder blogs a helpful supplement in your journey to wellness.
For additional information on living with bipolar disorder, here are some related links:
Bipolar Disorder: Keeping Stress Levels Low
Benefits of Joining a Bipolar Support Group
Continue reading about Four Bipolar Survivor Blogs: Bipolar Bloggers Share Their Experiences
Coping with bipolar disorder can be tough. With mood swings pulling you in two directions it’s good to have a support system in place to help keep you stable. You may have family that offers support, but sometimes that’s not enough. It will benefit you to have access to a network of others with bipolar disorder, just like you. Consider joining a bipolar support group.
Here are three benefits of joining a bipolar support group.
1. Other bipolar people know what you’re going through. The top reason to join a bipolar support group is that other bipolar people can relate to what you’re feeling. In a secure group setting, many of them will share in their experiences with the support group. As you listen to their stories and experiences, you may find that you have some things in common with them.
2.You can share your experience. Sometimes loved ones mean well, but they don’t know exactly how you feel. Others with bipolar disorder do know. As you share your experiences with manic depression, look to receive some feedback and suggestions. This will help you learn more about yourself and better ways to deal with your bipolar disorder. Talking through your issues is also cathartic for your soul and mental health.
3. Support groups helps you socialize. If your bipolar disorder has left you somewhat withdrawn, it may be hard for you to form close relationships with people.
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A bipolar support group is a great setting to meet new friends. The comfort level that you’ll have with your group members will help free you from some of the isolation you may be feeling. You’ll feel a boost of confidence as you come to terms with your illness. Use that confidence to branch out in other social settings.
Now that you’ve learned the benefits of joining a bipolar support group, it’s time to seek out a support group. Watch for an upcoming that will provide some suggestions for finding the right bipolar support group for you.
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