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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, or your
boss's moods?
We help people untangle
their lives and reclaim their freedom.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Many people who complain of recurrent depression and mania are 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, we help people resolve emotional and relationship
issues that support 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 help people to
explore and dissolve these and other relationship problems.
How is Bipolar Disorder diagnosed?
There are no medical or diagnostic tests - only people's opinions
that cannot be confirmed or denied in a laboratory. Some symptoms of bipolar disorder
resemble food allergies
and identity conflict.
| Manic phase |
Depressive phase |
- feeling euphoric, elevated, or "high"
- feeling agitated, irritable, restless
- racing thoughts, talkativeness
- sleep disorders
- reckless activities
- inflated self-esteem; poor judgment
- delusions or hallucinations
|
- 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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The symptoms called bipolar disorder often seem to follow
adults, who as children coped with parental conflicts or emotional incest. People showing
symptoms associated with chronic conflict
often express two (sequential) identifications or sub-personalities, and swing between them.
If a diagnosis of bipolar disorder represents an extreme
example of what we call complex conflict or identity conflict - then we can help
motivated adults to explore ways to integrate these two sides. (The
symptoms associated with bulimia offer a
similar example.)
Identity Conflict
A person showing identity conflict often
makes decisions or promises when one persona (or part or side) is active, and forgets, ignores
or denies those decisions and promises when another persona
is active. This behavior appears to be common - perhaps one person in six.
We have met many people who appeared to have identified with two
other people. Typically the role models were two adults who were in conflict with each other
while the person was a child - typically parents, grandparents or other
relatives.
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, by sequentially expressing their depressed and motivated
personalities. See Martyn's explanation of
chronic conflict. Our systemic coaching can help people improve their mood stability, with fewer hospitalizations
and better functioning.
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 disliked the other parent, the remaining
parent may alienate the other parent in the mind of the child.
(We also help people recognize, prevent and control the consequences of
parental alienation).
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 currently lithium
and Thorazine (chlorpromazine). Another treatment is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
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) 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, psychiatric 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
To summarize, we coach, support and guide people who suffer from complex conflict, and help
provide lasting resolution of many symptoms. See this
complex conflict transcript
for insights into
managing inappropriate thoughts and uncomfortable emotions.
Please consult a physician
about medical conditions.
Would you like
to benefit from our experience?
Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 2002-2010 All rights reserved
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