Cancer Signs of Pancreatic

5 Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer The disease is very difficult to detect, but sometimes there are signals by Kim Hayes, AARP, January 31, 2018|Comments: 44 woman looking sadly at bite of food on fork MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss can be warning signs of pancreatic cancer. Although pancreatic cancer can be treated if caught early, the signs are often subtle, and the disease is usually missed until it is in later, more serious stages. But there are some warning signs that you can watch out for. The pancreas has two main jobs in the body: to make juices that help digest food and to make hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, that help control blood sugar levels. The digestive juices are made by exocrine pancreas cells, which is where about 95 percent of pancreatic cancers begin. The disease accounts for approximately 3 percent of all cancers and about 7 percent of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the risk goes up with age. About two-thirds of patients are at least 65 years old, and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 71, according to the ACS. Only 8.2 percent of pancreatic cancer patients survive for five years, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The pancreas is deep inside the body, and early tumors can't be detected by standard physical exams. People usually have no symptoms until the cancer has already spread to other organs. Even so, the NCI advises people to consult their doctor if they have any of the following symptoms: Jaundice: This yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes is caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a dark yellow-brown substance made by the liver. Cancers starting in the head of the pancreas are near the common bile duct, according to the ACS. This type of cancer may press on the duct and cause jaundice, which could lead to finding the tumors at an early stage. But cancers that start in the body or tail of the pancreas don't press on the duct until after they have already spread through the pancreas and possibly beyond. Dark urine, too, can be a sign of jaundice, and bilirubin buildup can also lead to itchiness on the skin. Light-colored or greasy stools: Bilirubin helps give stools their brown color, so when the bile duct is blocked, stools may be gray or pale. Pancreatic cancer can also make it difficult for the intestines to help break down fats, so stools may become greasy and float in the toilet. Belly pain: Pain in the abdomen (belly) or back is common with pancreatic cancer. "Cancers that start in the body or tail of the pancreas can grow fairly large and start to press on other nearby organs, causing pain," the ACS says. "The cancer may also spread to the nerves surrounding the pancreas, which often causes back pain. Of course, pain in the abdomen or back is fairly common and is most often caused by something other than pancreatic cancer." Loss of appetite and weight loss: Unintended weight loss and loss of appetite can be warning signs of pancreatic cancer. Nausea and vomiting: The cancer can press on the far end of the stomach and partially block it, making it hard for food to pass. This may cause nausea, vomiting and pain after eating. A more detailed list of symptoms is available from ACS. Prevention While some risk factors for pancreatic cancer cannot be controlled, such as age or genetics, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Stop smoking. About 20 percent to 30 percent of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarette smoking; smokeless tobacco products are also a factor. Lose weight. Very overweight people are about 20 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and carrying extra weight around the waistline may be a risk factor even for those who aren't that overweight. Limit exposure to certain chemicals. Heavy and repeated exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace, such as those used in dry cleaning and metalworking, may raise a person’s risk of pancreatic cancer.

Six Signs Your Relationship Won't Last Long Term

6 Signs Your Relationship Won't Last Long Term Her Campus Logo By Kayla Dungee in RELATIONSHIPS Posted Mar 07 2018 - 02:00pm Tagged RELATIONSHIPS BREAKUP LONG TERM COUPLE LOVE Share this Not every relationship you experience leads to happily ever after. You can’t mold someone into your idea of prince or princess charming — sometimes two people just don’t work out. Whether you can sense the shakiness in the beginning of the relationship or years down the line, sometimes it’s best to trust your gut feeling. Here are six telltale signs that the relationship you’re in won’t last long term. 1. You mistake comfort for love While it’s important to feel comfortable in your relationship, comfort is one of the key reasons why people stay in relationships that have long passed their expiration date. It can be nerve-wracking to put yourself in the dating pool again, and it’s even easier to hold on to a relationship because of the history you and your SO have. If you find yourself recounting the reasons of why you guys are together and the main reason is because “you’ve been with him for a long time,” you should realize that complacency does not lead to happiness. Lauryn Higgins, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, knew that her long-term relationship wouldn’t last just because of the longevity. “I was in a three-year relationship and when a friend said to me, ‘Would you want your daughter dating the guy you’re with?’ And my first thought was, ‘I would want more for her,’ I knew I had to start having a conversation with my SO,” she says. Evaluate if just feeling okay within your relationship is where you want to be. Love should be the most gratifying feeling in the world and should never be confused with complacency. 2. You feel like a secret On the contrary, there’s the classic “situationship,” which we’ve all been in or witnessed. Just like you can’t mold a person into your version of perfection, there is no way to force someone into a relationship they don’t want to be in. Ashley Drayton, a Georgia State University graduate, knows that your relationship will remain at a standstill without a few key elements. “If he’s content with having a situationship, staying in the house instead of going on dates, he seems to be hiding you or parts of his life, and he doesn’t put a lot of effort into things regarding you, it’s not going anywhere,” she says. At this point in life, if someone wants you to be a part of their life, it will be clear to you. You shouldn’t be left guessing whether or not you might have a chance of working out. 3. You give and give, and they take and take Sacrifices and compromises are a part of any relationship. However, they should not be coming from only one end. It’s not a good sign if you give so much of yourself to someone with little investment in return. You can easily burn out early on in a relationship if you are constantly giving. Megan Scavo, a sophomore at the University of Central Florida, knows from personal experience that selfishness can cause a relationship should go downhill quickly. “If your SO expects you to plan your entire life around them, such as school, work and friends, it’s not going to last too long,” she says. If you find that you are the only one sacrificing up your time, money and energy, recognize that that is not normal. 4. Your friends and family can tell it won’t last Nobody is in your relationship but you and your SO, so sometimes it can hard for outsiders to judge your relationship. However, the saying “Mama knows best” may not be so cliché in this case. Love can blind you enough to the point that you don’t recognize warning signs. “If your friends tell you they don’t see you with him forever or that he’s not the one, listen,” Megan says. “Your friends know you better than you know yourself sometimes.” You may have that one friend who doubts every relationship you get into, but if the overwhelming majority of your friends and family do not see things working out for the best, you should at least listen to them as to why. They have a more objective view of the relationship. Plus, if they know you well enough, they can tell when things just click and when they don’t. Related: 5 Ways to Let Go of a Relationship That Ended Before it Started 5. You try to justify bad behavior Your SO is not immune from making mistakes. It’s completely understandable to forgive small mistakes, but your SO should not get a free pass on everything. Something that should be immediately addressed is any form of abuse. “If he says rude things or degrades you, even if it’s out of character when angry, that’s a definite red flag,” Megan says. “Way too many women put up with that too long.” Rachel Petty, a senior at James Madison University, advises women to trust their gut feeling when it comes to a bad feeling about a relationship. “If you find yourself making excuses for your SO and letting big things slide, that’s a sign you should probably end things,” she says. “If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.” You can't shake off your intuition telling you something is wrong forever. In many cases, our feelings of uneasiness are justified. 6. Your core values do not align Opposites attract in many cases, but in some cases they cannot work long term. Having differences with others is what makes humans unique, but some differences may be too big to ignore. Alyssa*, a junior at Kennesaw State University, could not look past a difference in religion between her and her SO. “I am religious and my ex was not,” she says. “At first, I looked past this difference. But when he became comfortable enough, he would essentially make fun of me for believing in something. That’s where I had to evaluate if I could handle that intolerance for years to come.” The important thing to remember is even though you and your SO have differences, there should be mutual respect for each other’s beliefs. You should never feel ashamed or scared to practice your beliefs because your SO believes the opposite. Envision your future a few years down the road. If you cannot see your future with your SO and their current behavior, it is time to have a conversation with them. Whether or not you chose to end things or work on things is up to you, but know that you do not have to put up with behavior that doesn’t mesh with you.

Video on how to deal with toxic people

How to count down to succes

​How to count down to success Jul 25, 2017, 3:15am EDT Updated Jul 26, 2017, 9:17am EDT INDUSTRIES & TAGS Career & Workplace SHARE Order Reprints Save Article Print Michael Houlihan & Bonnie Harvey Contributing Writer RELATED CONTENT How to make sure you hear the good ideas that will improve your firm How to take control by aiming, not blaming ​7 steps to infuse entrepreneurial thinking into company culture We are delighted annually to be part of the U.S. Immersion Program of Nanyang University in Singapore. The program calls for students to visit businesses in Silicon Valley and the East Coast, with a trip to the Sonoma County wine country as well. This year we hosted 120 international graduate students studying for their master's degree in technopreneurship and innovation. Everyone should have happy launches and landings in their new businesses. Enlarge Everyone should have happy launches and landings in their new businesses. GETTY IMAGES (IN8FINITY) What could we give these aspiring entrepreneurs that would help them the most in their journey? How about a Countdown to Success? It’s our list of understandings necessary for a successful launch and happy landing. FIVE: The 5 guiding principles for success (GPS) Make mistakes W-R-I-T-E.(Not just right). Write down all your mistakes, and more importantly, identify all the documents that need to be created, changed or improved so there will be no repeat. Put yourself in the other guy’s shoes. In every relationship with your people, your vendors or your customers, ask what is important to them. Then, give them what they want first to get what you want. Forge strategic alliances. Ask, “Who benefits if I benefit?” Those are your potential allies. Vendors can be bankers by extending credit and terms. Customers can be bankers by paying in cash. Treat them like partners and share your plans. Sales is king. Achieve a positive cash flow as soon as you can. Don’t expand too quickly. Start small and learn how to get your act together before you take your show on the road. Without sales, all else is moot. Service what you sell. You are not judged so much by how well you do when everything goes right but by how well you do when there is a problem. FOUR: The 4 stages of business development Startup. Goal is proving the viability of the concept. Danger is chewing up investment money on overhead and production without sales. Buildup. Goal is securing a few big customers that can sustain the business without more investment. Danger is having all your eggs in one basket and being discontinued. Buildout. Goal is diversifying your customer base so you can sustain a significant hit. Danger is spreading yourself too thin, not servicing what you sell, and significantly underestimating the cost of sales Enterprise. Goal is continuing to deliver high quality and service until you get noticed and become an acquisition target. Danger is losing the entrepreneurial spirit and taking sales for granted.How

Drowning

How We Drown Is Not Like In The Movies EMAIL FACEBOOK LINKEDIN TWITTER REDDIT PRINT Related articles We Are Killing Ourselves (Don t) leave them kids alone at the kiddie pool Health and Safety Tips for Your Summer Vacation (2005) Health and Safety Tips for Your Summer Vacation Dispatch: Real Risks: Drowning and Lightning By Jamie Wells, M.D. — May 24, 2017 Credit: Shutterstock With Memorial Day weekend and peak drowning season upon us, there is no better time than the present to debunk some myths about how we drown. And, it isn’t how you would think. An average of 3,536 fatal unintentional (non-boating) drownings occur each year in the United States inflicting anguish that could, in many cases, be prevented. Add on to this the 332 who succumb annually to boating-related incidents. Since over half of drowning victims get admitted to the hospital or transferred for comprehensive care, the often long-term devastating consequences of nonfatal drowning events will be elucidated here as well. (1) Buzzwords abound these days even in the drowning arena. It seems the topic has gotten branded. Terms like “silent drowning,” “secondary drowning” or “dry drowning” may complicate the picture. The important word to emphasize is “drowning.” The concept of greatest import is the realization that precautions and awareness should dominate when any body of water is in close proximity albeit a frozen lake, the bathtub or residential pool. Who Drowns Drowning can impact all ages, ethnicities, genders and health status. Those sick or well can be affected. Due to the tremendous variability of water safety, activities, environments (e.g. pool or open water) and conditions (e.g. inclement weather, currents, salt vs fresh water), even an excellent swimmer shouldn’t have a false sense of immunity from the subject. That said, knowing how to swim is a crucial benefit and important whether adult or child. As is knowledge of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and its rapid initiation—the earlier it is received the better one’s chances. Here are some U.S. statistics on drowning (2,3): Roughly 1 in 5 people who die from drowning are children 14 or younger— 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in ages 1-14 behind motor vehicle accidents Almost 80% of people who die are male Highest rate in children ages 1-4. Top cause of death in this population behind congenital anomalies— most take place in residential swimming pools, for infants <1 bathtubs rank highest and buckets remain a hazard 5th leading cause of death by unintentional injury for ALL ages African-American children (ages 5-19) are 5.5 times more likely to drown in pools than peers (4) Primary and secondary causes of drowning put people at risk. For instance, a primary drowning incident would entail drowning of a healthy toddler in a pool. A secondary culprit would be one prompted by the effects of trauma, substance abuse or drug use, a disease or its treatment. Illnesses or the like that impair the physical mobility, consciousness, or mentation of a person like an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia or intractable seizures require special restrictions and surveillance. Clearly, those with specific medical conditions and on therapies that can impede their cognition or level of consciousness are imperiled. Anyone at risk of fainting (See Why We Faint), seizing or prone to low blood sugars (hypoglycemia) are in jeopardy. Suicide or self-harm can be another etiology. Throughout the span of the life cycle, there are occupational, situational, and recreational differences that contribute to your risk. In early infancy and childhood, a momentary lapse of adult supervision is all that is required while mopping the floor to answering a phone call when bathing a little one. As we age, there is a rise in drownings in natural waters. Adolescents might partake in riskier endeavors like diving under dangerous conditions with shallow water, while intoxicated or via extreme water sports. Adults and the elderly can have heart attacks and key medical conditions, abuse substances and can also sustain head or other traumas. Work-related risks are tied to certain professions while hurricanes represent one of many of nature’s unpredictable hazards. How We Drown Hollywood routinely depicts a drowning victim as a person shouting for help, flailing and thrashing about in the water. When someone can shout and speak, this actually implies they are getting the oxygen they need. By no means should you ignore this person as they are in apparent distress—they might be injured, be panicking and not know how to swim or be at risk of imminent drowning. More often, in the actual drowning person silence is the deafening factor. It happens quickly, quietly and without warning. As the person is gasping for every breath and concentrating on getting air, they will typically not speak, fatigue and be in a vertical position with their head bobbing in and out of water. Their effort to swim falls short and traditionally keeps them stationary. The mouth is usually open and the head tilted back as they attempt to leverage the water beneath by extending their arms outward and pushing downward. By the time it is noticed, the individual can be unconscious from hypoxia and submerged. Depending on body size, age, clinical and environmental factors, the rate of drowning can be quite quick between seconds to under a minute. (See this instructional video (5)) When Do We Drown Though it is prevalent this season (May to August), the issue is a year-round one that warrants diligence to avoid. For example, in the cold weather adverse events arise from playing or landing on frozen bodies of water that make you vulnerable to falling through cracks and weakened areas. Hypothermia can threaten survival and occurs even in more moderate weather that exists the majority of the year. This consequence is not exclusive to winter. In general, drowning is an indoor and outdoor concern. We worsen our chances of survival when we do not know how to swim. Due to size, younger children need even less volume of exposure to demonstrate symptoms of drowning. What Happens When We Survive Drowning or Submersion With near drowning or submersion comes morbidity or no morbidity. Ideally, the patient is discovered before loss of consciousness while alert and minimally impaired. This is your best shot at no morbidity from the event. If CPR needs to be initiated, the outcomes are worse. With greater delay in CPR often comes a more ominous result. In severe cases, brain damage, learning and memory problems and a persistent vegetative state is possible. It is very important for you or your child to be evaluated by a trained medical professional and emergency services after a near drowning or submersion incident. Symptoms can evolve, progress and pose great risk hours after the inciting event. You may think your child appears well, but there can be a lag before untoward effects come to light and when they do the decline can be fast. Multi-organ failure, chemical aspiration, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress, metabolic disturbances, and hypoxic injury to the brain are a mere few examples of serious health consequences. Remember, there are many variables in the mix that guide the extent of damage. Though there is much we can do today with medical advances, avoidance of drowning is in yours and your loved one’s best interest. Take Home Messages Exercise good judgement and be proactive—e.g. know yours and your child’s limitations, alcohol and illicit substances add danger to water activities, avoid diving into the shallow end or where there are many rocks, don’t leave a child unattended around any body of water, wear life jackets when boating, boat safely Be a responsible pool owner—e.g. have essential barriers around pool. Pool safely, see here. Take swim lessons and learn CPR— early bystander CPR makes a world of difference! Make prevention a family affair— it is never too late to learn to swim. Be partners with lifeguards—keep your eyes on your child at all times and don’t swim alone Seek emergency medical services when an incident arises, as time is of the essence. Submersion injuries can evolve and worsen, so don’t miss the window where help can be crucial in improving an outcome. A medical professional can discern the difference. Be aware of your surroundings and the signs of a person in trouble Encourage close observation of children With some simple steps to ensure summer and water safety, you will enjoy the holidays and season creating a lifetime of wonderful memories! (see Notes section, 6) Source(s): (1) (2) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)— Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts, see here. (3) See here and here. (4) To review the CDC morbidity and mortality report, see “Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Fatal Unintentional Drowning Among Persons Aged Less Than or Equal to 29 Years—United States, 1999-2010." Note(s): (5) I urge you to look at posted videos of active drowning on youtube as there are many. They underscore that people can be swimming close by and be unaware of the struggle taking place within arm’s length. Knowing what to look for is crucial to early identification of drowning. This is the difference between life and death and a life without disabilities as a result of delayed intervention. Always be aware of what is going on around you. (6) The CDC is an excellent resource on prevention of drowning and water safety. Their National Action Plan is here.

10 Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder

10 Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder By Linda Wasmer Andrews, Special to LifescriptPublished October 04, 2016 We all have ups and downs. But the steep climbs (mania) and sudden plunges (depression) of bipolar disorder can lead to life-threatening situations.Shirley Rogerson, thought her husband of 40 years was simply prone to dark moods. At other times, he was the life of the party, telling jokes that had everyone in stitches. But as years passed, his behavior became frightening. “He threatened to kill himself and had hallucinations,” says Rogerson, an author and library information specialist. “Once, he saw visions of killing me and the dogs.” Her husband was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This serious mental illness affects about 6 million women and men in the U.S., according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). And it can be harrowing and dangerous for people around them. In the manic phase, sufferers often don’t think anything's wrong. They’re hyper-energized and brimming with confidence. But they’re not as invincible as they feel. Eventually, people almost always make a big mistake, such as a foolish investment or an ill-advised affair. “When they realize what they’ve done, they can crash into really bad depression,” says psychiatrist Igor Galynker, MD, PhD, director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City. What Is Bipolar Disorder? This complex mental condition comes in various forms. These are the most common: Bipolar I is the classic type, what used to be called manic depression. Patients typically alternate between full-blown mania and depression, which causes severe behavioral shifts. In some, those symptoms occur concurrently. Occasionally, the mania or depression is so severe that it becomes psychosis — a break with reality characterized by delusions or hallucinations. Bipolar II is the less extreme, more common version of the disorder. Depressive episodes alternate with hypomania, a milder version of mania. People with hypomania are sometimes highly productive and function well. “It can start out lovely,” says Cynthia Last, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Boca Raton, Fla., and author of When Someone You Love Is Bipolar (Guilford Press). But hypomania inevitably leads to depression. And if left untreated, symptoms may grow more extreme, evolving into bipolar I. Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is often treatable with medications and psychotherapy. But warning signs of bipolar disorder are often confused with major depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug-induced highs or just plain moodiness. As a result, only one in four sufferers are accurately diagnosed in less than three years, according to DBSA figures. Recognizing the mania and depression signs of bipolar disorder is the first step to getting help. Here's what to look for: 6 Warning Signs of Mania 1. Unusually upbeat, outgoing or irritable mood During a manic phase, some people feel euphoric, others talk nonstop and some develop a hair-trigger temper. The key is that their mood is a radical departure from the norm.“A person who’s usually a reasonable individual may suddenly become impossible to live with,” Dr. Galynker explains. 2. Racing thoughts and speed-talking Besides speaking quickly and jumping between ideas, a person in a manic phase may also be easily distracted — one reason mania is sometimes mistaken for ADHD. “Unfortunately, the primary treatment for ADHD is stimulants, which can trigger severe symptoms in someone with bipolar disorder,” Last says. To avoid a misdiagnosis of ADHD, mental health professionals analyze how behavior has changed: Bipolar disorder is episodic, while adult ADHD usually continues from childhood. 3. Boundless energy The extremely energetic behavior common in the manic phase often leads to rushing around and taking on new projects, however ill-advised. If the sufferer is also easily distracted, he’ll jump to new tasks before completion, Dr. Galynker says. 4. Impulsive and self-destructive behavior Spending sprees, flagrant affairs or risky investments can all signal bipolar disorder if they’re out of character and part of a larger pattern of symptoms, Dr. Galynker says. 5. Decreased need for sleep Sleeping only a few hours a night could be a sign of bipolar disorder – as well as depression or anxiety. How do you know the difference? “People with insomnia typically feel very tired during the day,” says Elizabeth Brondolo, PhD, a psychology professor at St. John's University, in Queens, N.Y., and author of Break the Bipolar Cycle (McGraw-Hill Education). Someone in a manic episode may never feel exhausted. 6. Inflated sense of self-worth An exaggerated sense of your power, knowledge or importance is common in the manic stage, such as believing you have a special relationship with God. “It’s a feeling of being invincible and doing no wrong,” Dr. Galynker says. 4 Warning Signs of Depression 1. Sad, empty or hopeless mood Many people with bipolar disorder spend most of the time depressed, Brondolo says. This relentless dark mood prevents them from taking interest or pleasure in their lives. 2. Low energy and constant fatigue In contrast to supercharged energy during mania, this phase leaves a person feeling drained of energy and motivation. The smallest task – even getting out of bed – can seem impossible. “A depressed person isn’t able to move forward and do what's supposed to be done,” Brondolo says. As a result, performance at home, work or school often suffers. 3. Decreased ability to think clearly The same mind that races from idea to idea when manic may feel paralyzed during depression, making it hard for the sufferer to remember things and make decisions. “Depression can lead to serious disruptions in concentration and attention,” Brondolo says. 4. Suicidal thoughts and behavior Depression often leads to dwelling on past mistakes, including blunders made while manic. “When it gets really bad, you may feel cornered, as if all possible ways of escaping a situation are closed,” Dr. Galynker says. That’s when suicidal thoughts can take hold. And without treatment, the risk of acting on them is high. Up to 20% of people with bipolar disorder take their lives. Getting Help If you recognize several warning signs of bipolar disorder in yourself or a loved one, seek help. Contact a psychiatrist or other mental health professional, or get a referral from your primary care physician. Several treatments are available: Medications These play a primary role in managing bipolar disorder. Options include: Mood-stabilizing drugs. Usually the first choice, these include lithium, the oldest mood stabilizer, and anticonvulsants, a group of drugs originally developed to treat seizures. Antipsychotics. These drugs are prescribed when lithium or anticonvulsants don’t work, or if the patient has symptoms of psychosis. Antidepressants. Often combined with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic, “there's controversy over whether antidepressants should be used to treat depression in people with bipolar disorder,” Dr. Galynker explains. That's because there’s a risk of switching abruptly from depression to mania. Psychotherapy Therapy is also crucial. Intensive counseling helps people recover faster and stay well over a one-year period, according to the largest federally funded study of bipolar disorder treatments, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder. The three types of therapy included in the study had comparable benefits. They were: Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach teaches people how to counteract negative thoughts and use behavioral strategies to cope with mood swings. Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. You’ll learn how to maintain consistent daily routines and sleep schedules. This therapy also works on resolving interpersonal issues and conflicts that contribute to symptoms. Family-focused treatment. Couples or parents and children work together to manage a sufferer’s bipolar disorder in this type of therapy. Persuading Your Partner to Seek Treatment People with manic depression may not realize how sick they are. So if your mate is showing signs of bipolar disorder, overcoming denial and convincing him or her to see a mental health professional can be difficult. Dr. Galynker recommends the following steps: Persuasion: Start by reasoning with him. Explain that he can improve his life by getting help. Intervention: Enlist the help of people your mate values, such as parents, siblings and friends. Manipulation: Present treatment as a privilege. For example, you could mention that he’ll be seeing the same doctor who treated a local celebrity. Ultimatum: If all else fails, “tell him, ‘Either you see somebody or I'm leaving,’” Dr. Galynker says. While harsh, it may be your only option. Helping a Loved One Stay Well Once your mate gets better, you can help him stay that way. Support his healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding alcohol and other drugs, keeping a regular sleep schedule and reducing stress. Also, ask his treatment provider about early warning signs of a relapse. Then develop an emergency plan with her and your mate in case this occurs. And remember, neither of you has to endure bipolar disorder alone. To find support in your area, visit the DBSA Chapter and Support Group Directory. Today, Shirley Rogerson’s husband, Roger, is doing well. And he credits her with playing a pivotal role in his recovery.“It’s great to have somebody who has stuck with me for all these years and knows me inside-out,” he says. “With bipolar, it’s always way up or way down. She helps me find the medium.” Learn more about signs of bipolar disorder in our Mental Health Center. Which Personality Disorder Do You Have? Everyone has idiosyncrasies that might lend themselves to a personality disorder. Take a look at the silly side of being addictive, compulsive, dependent and antisocial and keep an open mind while you take this personality disorder quiz. Discover your neurosis and find out which personality disorder best defines you. About Lifescript | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Spam Policy | Products | Advertise

Bipolar Disorder

10 Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder

By Linda Wasmer Andrews, Special to Lifescript

Published August 06, 2016

We all have ups and downs. But the steep climbs (mania) and sudden plunges (depression) of bipolar disorder can lead to life-threatening situations.Shirley Rogerson, thought her husband of 40 years was simply prone to dark moods. At other times, he was the life of the party, telling jokes that had everyone in stitches.

But as years passed, his behavior became frightening.

“He threatened to kill himself and had hallucinations,” says Rogerson, an author and library information specialist. “Once, he saw visions of killing me and the dogs.”

Her husband was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
This serious mental illness affects about 6 million women and men in the U.S., according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). And it can be harrowing and dangerous for people around them.

In the manic phase, sufferers often don’t think anything's wrong. They’re hyper-energized and brimming with confidence. But they’re not as invincible as they feel.

Eventually, people almost always make a big mistake, such as a foolish investment or an ill-advised affair.

“When they realize what they’ve done, they can crash into really bad depression,” says psychiatrist Igor Galynker, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Family Center for Bipolar Disorder at Beth Israel Medical Center, in New York City.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?
This complex mental condition comes in various forms. These are the most common:

• Bipolar I is the classic type, what used to be called manic depression. Patients typically alternate between full-blown mania and depression, which causes severe behavioral shifts. In some, those symptoms occur concurrently.
• Occasionally, the mania or depression is so severe that it becomes psychosis — a break with reality characterized by delusions or hallucinations.
• Bipolar II is the less extreme, more common version of the disorder. Depressive episodes alternate with hypomania, a milder version of mania. People with hypomania are sometimes highly productive and function well.
• “It can start out lovely,” says Cynthia Last, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Boca Raton, Fla., and author of When Someone You Love Is Bipolar (Guilford Press).

• But hypomania inevitably leads to depression. And if left untreated, symptoms may grow more extreme, evolving into bipolar I.

Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder is often treatable with medications and psychotherapy. But warning signs of bipolar disorder are often confused with major depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), drug-induced highs or just plain moodiness.

As a result, only one in four sufferers are accurately diagnosed in less than three years, according to DBSA figures.

Recognizing the mania and depression signs of bipolar disorder is the first step to getting help. Here's what to look for:

6 Warning Signs of Mania
1. Unusually upbeat, outgoing or irritable mood
During a manic phase, some people feel euphoric, others talk nonstop and some develop a hair-trigger temper. The key is that their mood is a radical departure from the norm.“A person who’s usually a reasonable individual may suddenly become impossible to live with,” Dr. Galynker explains.

2. Racing thoughts and speed-talking
Besides speaking quickly and jumping between ideas, a person in a manic phase may also be easily distracted — one reason mania is sometimes mistaken for ADHD.

“Unfortunately, the primary treatment for ADHD is stimulants, which can trigger severe symptoms in someone with bipolar disorder,” Last says.

To avoid a misdiagnosis of ADHD, mental health professionals analyze how behavior has changed: Bipolar disorder is episodic, while adult ADHD usually continues from childhood.

3. Boundless energy
The extremely energetic behavior common in the manic phase often leads to rushing around and taking on new projects, however ill-advised. If the sufferer is also easily distracted, he’ll jump to new tasks before completion, Dr. Galynker says.
4. Impulsive and self-destructive behavior
Spending sprees, flagrant affairs or risky investments can all signal bipolar disorder if they’re out of character and part of a larger pattern of symptoms, Dr. Galynker says.

5. Decreased need for sleep
Sleeping only a few hours a night could be a sign of bipolar disorder – as well as depression or anxiety. How do you know the difference?

“People with insomnia typically feel very tired during the day,” says Elizabeth Brondolo, Ph.D., a psychology professor at St. John's University, in Queens, N.Y., and author of Break the Bipolar Cycle(McGraw-Hill Education). Someone in a manic episode may never feel exhausted.

6. Inflated sense of self-worth
An exaggerated sense of your power, knowledge or importance is common in the manic stage, such as believing you have a special relationship with God.

“It’s a feeling of being invincible and doing no wrong,” Dr. Galynker says.

4 Warning Signs of Depression

1. Sad, empty or hopeless mood
Many people with bipolar disorder spend most of the time depressed, Brondolo says. This relentless dark mood prevents them from taking interest or pleasure in their lives.

2. Low energy and constant fatigue
In contrast to supercharged energy during mania, this phase leaves a person feeling drained of energy and motivation. The smallest task – even getting out of bed – can seem impossible.

“A depressed person isn’t able to move forward and do what's supposed to be done,” Brondolo says. As a result, performance at home, work or school often suffers.

3. Decreased ability to think clearly
The same mind that races from idea to idea when manic may feel paralyzed during depression, making it hard for the sufferer to remember things and make decisions.

“Depression can lead to serious disruptions in concentration and attention,” Brondolo says.

4. Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Depression often leads to dwelling on past mistakes, including blunders made while manic.

“When it gets really bad, you may feel cornered, as if all possible ways of escaping a situation are closed,” Dr. Galynker says.

That’s when suicidal thoughts can take hold. And without treatment, the risk of acting on them is high. Up to 20% of people with bipolar disorder take their lives.

Getting Help
If you recognize several warning signs of bipolar disorder in yourself or a loved one, seek help. Contact a psychiatrist or other mental health professional, or get a referral from your primary care physician.

Several treatments are available:

Medications
These play a primary role in managing bipolar disorder. Options include:

• Mood-stabilizing drugs. Usually the first choice, these include lithium, the oldest mood stabilizer, and anticonvulsants, a group of drugs originally developed to treat seizures.
• Antipsychotics. These drugs are prescribed when lithium or anticonvulsants don’t work, or if the patient has symptoms of psychosis.
• Antidepressants. Often combined with a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic, “there's controversy over whether antidepressants should be used to treat depression in people with bipolar disorder,” Dr. Galynker explains. That's because there’s a risk of switching abruptly from depression to mania.

Psychotherapy
Therapy is also crucial. Intensive counseling helps people recover faster and stay well over a one-year period, according to the largest federally funded study of bipolar disorder treatments, the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder.

The three types of therapy included in the study had comparable benefits. They were:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This approach teaches people how to counteract negative thoughts and use behavioral strategies to cope with mood swings.
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy. You’ll learn how to maintain consistent daily routines and sleep schedules. This therapy also works on resolving interpersonal issues and conflicts that contribute to symptoms.
• Family-focused treatment. Couples or parents and children work together to manage a sufferer’s bipolar disorder in this type of therapy.

Persuading Your Partner to Seek Treatment
People with manic depression may not realize how sick they are. So if your mate is showing signs of bipolar disorder, overcoming denial and convincing him or her to see a mental health professional can be difficult.

Dr. Galynker recommends the following steps:

• Persuasion: Start by reasoning with him. Explain that he can improve his life by getting help.
• Intervention: Enlist the help of people your mate values, such as parents, siblings and friends.
• Manipulation: Present treatment as a privilege. For example, you could mention that he’ll be seeing the same doctor who treated a local celebrity.
• Ultimatum: If all else fails, “tell him, ‘Either you see somebody or I'm leaving,’” Dr. Galynker says. While harsh, it may be your only option.

Helping a Loved One Stay Well
Once your mate gets better, you can help him stay that way. Support his healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding alcohol and other drugs, keeping a regular sleep schedule and reducing stress.

Also, ask his treatment provider about early warning signs of a relapse. Then develop an emergency plan with her and your mate in case this occurs.

And remember, neither of you has to endure bipolar disorder alone. To find support in your area, visit theDBSA Chapter and Support Group Directory.

Today, Shirley Rogerson’s husband, Roger, is doing well. And he credits her with playing a pivotal role in his recovery.“It’s great to have somebody who has stuck with me for all these years and knows me inside-out,” he says. “With bipolar, it’s always way up or way down. She helps me find the medium.”

Learn more about signs of bipolar disorder in our Mental Health Center.

Which Personality Disorder Do You Have?
Everyone has idiosyncrasies that might lend themselves to a personality disorder. Take a look at the silly side of being addictive, compulsive, dependent and antisocial and keep an open mind while you take this personality disorder quiz. Discover your neurosis and find out which personality disorder best defines you.