Bipolar FAQ's

Marcy Rubin
Professional Life Coach

Bipolar FAQ's

WHAT IS YOUR DIAGNOSIS?
Bipolar Disorder goes by many names. Manic Depression, Manic Depressive Disorder, Manic Depressive Illness, Bipolar Mood Disorder, and Bipolar Affective Disorder. Since the symptoms of the condition show up differently the illness is classified into four different types, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder and Not Otherwise Specified.

Bipolar I: Is typically diagnosed when a person experiences severe depressive and full-blown manic episodes. It is estimated that about 1% of the general population has bipolar I.

Bipolar II: Is diagnosed when a person has frequent major depressive episodes and more episodes of hypo-mania instead of full blown mania. .

Cyclothymia: A person diagnosed with cyclothymia is usually perceived as extremely moody and very emotionally reactive. This is considered to be a milder version of bipolar II.

Not Otherwise Specified (NOS): Basically this term is used when a variation of bipolar disorder doesn't follow any particular pattern.

Rapid Cycling: You'll hear this term to describe when a person has more than four manic / depressive episodes within a twelve month period. Rapid cycling is more common in women and those diagnosed with bipolar II.

DID YOU KNOW?

American adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder: 5.8 million (2.8% of U.S. population)
Position of bipolar on the World Health Organization's ranking of causes of disability worldwide: 7
Year the Surgeon General gave his first ever report on mental illness: 1999
Life expectancy of an adult with serious mental illness: 25 years shorter than that of a person without
Bipolar patients who have attempted suicide: 25%
Bipolar patients whose suicide attempts have been lethal: 15-20% (This is the highest suicide rate of any psychiatric disorder & more than 20 times higher than the rate of suicide in the general population)
Bipolar people who are not being treated at any given time: approximately 50%
Bipolar and schizophrenic people who have no insurance: 50% (The diagnosis of mental illness makes it far more difficult to get and keep health insurance.)
Year the term "manic-depressive insanity" was first used in medical texts: 1896
Year the term "bipolar" was first used: 1980
Year the first medications (Lithium) was discovered to have effect on manic patients: 1948
Year the first medication designed to specifically to treat bipolar was developed: Still waiting
Average age of onset: 23
Average age of correct diagnosis: 40
Average number of years it takes a person with bipolar illness to seek treatment from the onset of symptoms: 10
Number of bipolar sufferers who have been misdiagnosed at least once: 70-75%
Number of patients taking a mood stabilizer who go off their medications because of side effects, the desire for manic energy, or impaired insight: 50%
Number one risk factor for relapse into a bipolar episode: going off medications
Odds that a person with Bipolar I will also struggle with substance abuse: 60/40
Odds that a person with Bipolar II will: 50/50
Rate of alcoholism in bipolar men: Three times higher than in the general population
In bipolar women: Seven times higher than in the general population
Divorce rates for people with bipolar: Twice as high during their first marriage than for people with any other psychiatric disorder and 3.5 times more likely to divorce than people in the general population
Annual direct and indirect costs of bipolar disorder in America: $45 billion
Primary cause of a lack of effective treatments and coordination of care: Insufficient research funds

*These statistics have been pulled from numerous sources the numbers listed are those most consistently cited across the literature. Keep in mind there is some variation between sources and different studies come up with a range of conclusions. However these numbers are representative of common conclusions in the research.

Are You Ready to Live Your Best Life Possible?
Make it Happen ~ Work with Professional Life Coach Marcy Rubin

Marcy knows receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder becomes a life altering event. Having to face the challenges, overwhelm, anger, helplessness, frustration, stigma and denial evolves into a personal journey unlike any other. And although bipolar disorder can affect the people around you it's easier to meet these challenges with support from a Professional Life Coach who first hand understands your needs and wishes.

Life Coaching helps You increase Your confidence and overcome roadblocks
Life Coaching helps You to transform Your passion and goals into reality
Life Coaching helps You live a life You are proud of

As a Certified Life Coach Marcy Rubin is trained to unleash your passions, inspire, motivate and help you stay focused. She works with clients all over the world making it possible for everyone in the Bipolar Disorder Community to get a professional life coaching experience.

Marcy invites you to contact her. She wants to talk with you, hear what you want to achieve and give you a feel for how life coaching works towards creating balance and happiness in your life. Change starts with one step connect with Marcy by Email Marcy@MarcyRubin.com, use her quick Contact Form, or leave Marcy a private message at 617-347-8894 and she'll personally return your call.

You are Not alone, approximately 5.7 million adults are living with Bipolar Disorder in the US. With the right support system you too can achieve anything you choose. Don't let Bipolar stop you from being amazing.

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