Bipolar Disorder

Cherie Tenfel BSN RN

Kaplan University
May 2012

Unit Objectives
Learners will be able to:

Explain bipolar disorder

Identify the range of moods that make up bipolar disorder
Summarize a basic treatment plan for someone with bipolar
disorder
Describe how people with bipolar disorder can help
themselves
Discuss why people with bipolar disorder are at risk for
suicide
Predict social issues that may affect a person with bipolar
disorder

Mental illness is nothing to be

ashamed of, but stigma and bias
shame us all.
~ Bill Clinton

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Define bipolar disorder

Describe the difference between mania and depression
Identify and distinguish between the symptoms of mania and
depression
Identify the course of treatment for bipolar disorder
Explain measures of self-help for bipolar disorder
Identify at least three possible triggers of bipolar episodes
List the at least four warning signs of suicide
Explain how to help someone who is suicidal
Describe the social stigma of bipolar disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Mood Disorder Affecting

Thought
Energy level
Behavior

Moods Alternate Between Poles

High

Severe mania
Hypomania

Normal Mood
Lows

Mild depression
Severe depression

Mania
Persistent abnormally
elevated irritable mood
> one week

Symptoms of Mania

Inflated self-esteem/grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
Racing thoughts or "flight of ideas"
Spending sprees
Increased physical/mental energy
Irritability/aggressive behavior
Impulsive/risk taking
Increased sexual drive

Depression

Feeling down
Loss of interest in enjoyable things

Symptoms of Depression (Cont.)

Weight loss/gain
Insomnia/hypersomnia
Psychomotor agitation/slow down
Fatigue/loss of energy
Decreased ability to concentrate/make
decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide

Between Mania and Depression

Hypomania
Mixed state

Treatment

Self-Help For Bipolar Disorder

Monitor your moods

Make healthy choices
Seek support
Keep stress in check
Get educated

Bipolar Disorder Triggers

Voki

The Warning Signs of Suicide

Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide

Feeling hopeless/helpless/worthless
Withdraw from friends/family
Acting recklessly
Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye
Seeking out weapons or pills

How to Help Someone Who

is Suicidal

What is Like to be Bipolar?

Social Stigma and Bipolar

Disorder.

Questions?

Pick up your clickers and lets test what you have learned

Bipolar Disorder
Cherie Tenfel RN BSN
CherieTenfel@student.kaplan.edu
Kaplan University

References
Google Images. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
Helpguide. (n.d.). Suicide prevention: Spotting : The signs and helping a suicidal person. Retrieved from http://
www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm
Helpguide. (n.d.). Understanding bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://
www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
Joskypay. (2007, December 5). How I would describe bipolar disorder [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtVTmi1TCVI&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Microsoft Office. (2012). Search 1,000s of images. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/?
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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2012). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://
www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/pdf/NCS-R_data-Bipolar_Disorder.pdf
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2011). Fight stigma. Retrieved from
http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=fight_stigma
Quotable Quotes. (2012). Retrieved from http://ask.metafilter.com/68066/Quotable-Quotes
Stovall, J. (2012). Bipolar disorder in adults: Epidemiology and diagnosis. Retrieved from http://uptodate.com
WebMD. (2012). Bipolar disorder and suicide. Retrieved from
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Depression&Template=/
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