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Are you entangled in difficult
relationships or painful emotions? Do you suffer from childhood trauma?
Do you suffer from your parents' drama, your partner's demands, your
boss's moods? Soulwork systemic coaching can help you untangle
your life and reclaim your freedom. Contact us.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
People who complain of recurrent depression and mania may
be diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. This mood swing may also be
called manic depression, endogenous depression, cyclothemia
or cyclic depression. The label bipolar disorder can be applied
to a single episode of depression or mania, to recurring depressive episodes,
or to a cycle of depression and mania.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is an opinion
that cannot be proved or disproved by medical tests. Although symptoms of bipolar
disorder are often managed with psychoactive medication, our systemic coaching
can often resolve the emotional and relationship basis of these symptoms.
In our experience, symptoms that are sometimes labeled bipolar disorder
are often associated with entangled relationships,
trauma, emotional incest
and identity conflict. We coach people to
dissolve these and other success blocks and relationship problems.
How is Bipolar Disorder diagnosed?
There are no medical or diagnostic tests - only human opinions
that cannot be confirmed or denied in a laboratory. Symptoms of bipolar disorder
may resemble some food allergies
and identity conflict.
| Manic phase |
Depressive phase |
- feeling euphoric, elevated, or "high"
- agitation, irritability, restlessness
- racing thoughts, talkativeness
- sleep disorders
- inflated self-esteem; poor judgment
- reckless activities
- delusions or hallucinations
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- feeling depressed, low or "down"
- feeling melancholy and hopeless
- difficulty making decisions
- poor self-evaluation
- low interest in daily activities
- withdrawal from family or friends
- suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts
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A person showing identity conflict often
makes decisions or promises when one persona is active, and forgets, ignores
or denies those decisions and promises when another persona
is active. (This behavior appears to be common - perhaps 1 person in 5 - a
similar example is bulimia.)
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder may represent an extreme example of what
we call complex conflict or identity conflict.
Identity Conflict
The symptoms called bipolar disorder often seem to follow
adult children coping with parental conflicts, emotional incest
or identity loss. People showing bipolar
symptoms associated with chronic conflict
often express at least two (sequential) identifications, and swing between them.
People with bipolar symptoms may have identified with two
adults who are or were in conflict with each other - typically parents. If,
for example, one parent was depressed, and the other highly motivated or
aggressive, a child may attempt to show allegiance to both parents - throughout
his or her life. See Martyn's explanation of
chronic conflict
If one parent was frequently absent,
missing or dead, a child may perceive the missing parent through the
descriptions and behavior of the remaining parent. If the
remaining parent dislikes the missing parent, the remaining
parent may alienate the other parent in the mind of the child.
Our coaching can help prevent and control the consequences of
parental alienation (PAS).
Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
After diagnosing bipolar disorder, medications may be
prescribed to help people manage their emotions.
The most common medications prescribed for bipolar disorder are lithium
and Thorazine (chlorpromazine). Another treatment is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Systemic coaching can help people improve mood stability, with fewer hospitalizations
and better functioning.
Side Effects of Lithium
Increased frequency of urination or lost bladder control
is more common in women than in men. Patients may experience increased
thirst; mild nausea and trembling of hands.
Side Effects of Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)
Increased constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness;
drowsiness; dry mouth and congestion.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
ECT is passing enough electric current through the
brain to cause a convulsion. Electroshock is
generally used to treat people with symptoms of depression, mania
and schizophrenia, especially people who do not respond
well to, or abreact to, common psychotropic medications.
Side Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Electrocution, brain damage, memory loss, increased
distractibility, difficulty with multiple tasks, trouble with arithmetic and
language, nausea and headaches are all associated with electroshock.
Systemic Coaching & Complex Conflict
Bipolar disorder is often an example of a complex conflict
(called identity conflict in systemic coaching). We
can help support and guide people who suffer from complex conflict, and help
provide long-term resolution of many symptoms. See this
complex conflict transcript
for insight into
managing inappropriate thoughts and uncomfortable emotions.
Couple coaching and
parent coaching can reduce the possibility
or consequences of emotional incest and
identity loss in their children.
Please consult your physician
about medical conditions.
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