PROFILE: She is the light in the darkness of

Bipolar is still a very taboo subject in society, especially amongst the African community, which is strange because more and more African people are being diagnosed. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings from mania to depression.The pattern of highs and lows varies for each person: For some people, episodes of mania or depression can last for weeks or months, while for others like Zah, mood swings are shorter and more frequent.

Zah as she is affectionately known by her friends and loved ones, is a DUT Internal Audit graduate from Mtubatuba – Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her life made sense to her three years ago – 2014 - at the age of 28 when she was diagnosed with Bipolar.

Zah always had a puzzling behaviour that even she couldn't explain. She was short tempered, would get angry very quickly, had extreme mood swings. One minute she was extremely happy and the next she was too sad or angry or even crying for a very small insignificant reason

“I didn't know what was happening to me and people close to me were also confused and surprised. I was easily angered at work, very insecure. I would get a rush extreme energy than normal. When I got angry I would want to hit people or even go out to God knows where, in the middle of the night with no fear at all

I felt like I had supernatural powers, like being a prophet and stuff. Uncontrollable racing thoughts and uncontrollable speech. Felt like spending most times in i sol ati on an d al on e coz I fel t misunderstood, which led to wanting more and more alcohol,”

Zah says when she was happy she felt very generous. She would buy people gifts even if she couldn't afford them. There was no need for a special occasion for her to be generous. Her symptoms included a flip between no sex drive to having random sexual desire with random people

Her behavior confused her enough to consult Dr. Google, so by the time she consulted a local Dr she already knew what was wrong about her. paranoia Sleep: difficulty falling asleep or excess sleepiness Weight: weight gain or weight loss Also common: risky behavior, false belief of superiority, fatigue, or rapid and frenzied speaking

Bipolar Mood Swings: Causes and Triggers

For other people to be diagnosed with Bipolar would be the worse thing that could happen to them. But to Zah it was a relief.

“ I was relieved course I felt like I wasn't a bad person, after all, I was just sick and needed to get help because for a long time I had believed I was. I felt relieved knowing that it wasn't a fault in my character but a sickness that was causing me to do all these things.”

“After being diagnosed I got medication and take it every day. I have been able to cope because I have a supportive and understanding family and go to counseling twice a month. I understand there is no cure for bipolar disorder but with the correct medication, you can live a productive life. I educate people on social media about bipolar and its symptoms and I tell my friends

Identify it: Signs you or your loved one might be Bipolar

Mood: mood swings, sadness, elevated m ood , an g er, an xi ety, apath y, apprehension, euphoria, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities Behavioral: irritability, disorganized behavior, aggression, agitation, crying, excess desire for sex, hyperactivity, impulsivity, restlessness, or self-harm Cognitive: unwanted thoughts, delusion, lack of concentration, racing thoughts, or slowness in activity Psychological: depression, manic episode, agitated depression, or Bipolar disorder is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance that alters a person's moods. This imbalance may be linked to irregular hormone production or a problem with chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that act as messengers to nerve cells. Because bipolar disorder tends to run in families, genetics are also thought to play a role; in fact, researchers believe that the chemical changes leading to the disorder result from a combination of genes and environmental influences. Some brain scans have revealed actual physical changes in the brains of people with bipolar disorder.

The best way to prevent mood swings is to get treatment for bipolar disorder. But it's also possible to reduce the frequency and intensity of mood swings by being aware of situations or events that can trigger them. "A number of triggers can set off or worsen bipolar episodes," says Michael First, MD, a professor of clinical psychiatry

The most common triggers for bipolar mood swings are: Ÿ Stress from major life events, both positive and negative Ÿ Lack of sleep Ÿ Erratic schedules Ÿ Caffeine and alcohol Ÿ Certain medications, such as antidepressants and corticosteroids Ÿ Seasonal changes (for example, winter can worsen depression, while summer can increase the risk of

mania) Stopping bipolar meds or varying the treatment schedule Thyroid problems Substance abuse

The misconception about bipolar:

Myth:Bipolar means mood swings we all get.

Fact: The mood swings of a person with bipolar are far more severe than a normal person sad about his favorite team losing or a person happy about an unexpected bonus from work. To someone suffering from bipolar the mood swings interfere with one or all important aspects of functioning. Moreover, the mood swings are longer lasting, remaining weeks or even months after the events which provoked them are passed.

Myth: For people with bipolar, all of their moods occur due to their condition.

Fact: People with bipolar do have moods and feelings not related to their disorder. Any argument or misdeed should not be blamed on the disorder. Bipolar as a condition is treatable and can be stabilized, and the cause for grievances can be genuine.

Myth:Mania is productive.

Fact: Mania is a condition of a euphoric, elevated mood, feeling on the top of the world, with a marked increase in activity. In mild forms, this can allow the person to be more productive. But as the mania progresses, people tend to become irritable, making dangerous choices leading to disaster in multiple spheres of life- professional, personal or sexual. Lack of sleep is a common symptom, and the person slowly loses control over his actions and thoughts.

Myth: There is only one type of bipolar disorder.

Fact: Several different types of bipolar disorder have been identified. They are known as Bipolar I (extreme manic episodes and depressive episodes), Bipolar II (hypomania, a milder form of mania, and severe depressive episodes), Cyclothymia (several hypomanic episodes and less severe episodes of depression), and Bipolar Disorder Otherwise Not Specified (which does not follow a particular pattern).

Coping Measure

Mood Swings: Ÿ Control stress. Stress is a major bipolar trigger. Do what you can to simplify your life and relieve stress in your work and personal life. See if your spouse, family members, and friends can help with household responsibilities. "If you have a job that requires crazy hours and lots of travel, you may want to switch to a less-stressful job," suggests Dr. First.

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Stress-management techniques, such as meditation, visualization, and yoga, can also help.

Keep a regular schedule. Stick to a routine to help control mood swings. "Bipolar people don't do well with lots of changes," says First. Have meals, do errands, exercise, and go to bed about the same time every day.

Practice healthy sleep habits. Being overtired can trigger mania in some bipolar people. Relax before bed by listening to soothing music, reading, or

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taking a warm bath. Experts also recommend that you make your bedroom a calming place and use it only for sleep and sex. Be disciplined about your sleep habits. "It's common for people with bipolar disorder to stay up late watching movies, playing video games, or surfing the Internet, which can make mood swings worse," says Carrie Bearden, Ph.D., a bipolar-disorder expert

Get moving. Studies show that regular exercise can help improve mood. Start slowly by taking a walk around the neighborhood. Gradually work up to exercising on most days of the week.

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Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can keep you up at night and exacerbate manic episodes. Cut back on coffee and soda, especially at night. Alcohol and drugs can affect how your medications work and possibly trigger a mood episode.

Write it down. Keep a journal that makes note of big events, stresses, how much sleep you're getting, and what you're eating and drinking. Over time, you may see patterns emerging. By knowing what your triggers are, you may be able to prepare for times when you might be most vulnerable to mood swings.

“Life is like a piano; the white keys represent happiness and the black show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys also create music.” ~ Ehssan

A moment lasts all of a second, but the memory lives on forever. “

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