Relapse vs. Remission in Bipolar Disorder
Over 5.7 million Americans have Bipolar Disorder. If you happen to be one of them there are some facts that you need to know about remission and relapse in the disorder.
Remission, a reduced or normal distribution of mood changes, can occur in twenty percent of Bipolar Disorder patients. Remission occurs when the patient takes medication that evens out their moods. Finding the right medications can take years and once on the right medications it's possible that you will be constantly adjusting the medications to make sure they work correctly. There's a twenty percent chance that you'll be one of the patients in remission. We all hope for this chance at normality.
Unfortunately, there's a new study out that states that fifteen percent of all mental hospital readmissions are from Bipolar Disorder patients. The disorder is reoccuring in most patients. The disease doesn't get any better for some patients. They are remission resistant.
Does this have to be you? No. See your psychiatrist and your therapist regularly. Use a mood chart. Take your medications regularly. I recommend using the alarm clock on your cell phone to remind you to take your medications. You can also use Google Calendar to remind you. It will send reminders to your cell phone. Ask a family member to help you remember all your appointments if you have difficulty.
My best advice is not to give up hope. Remission could be in your future if you manage your disease like it was heart disease or diabetes. Don't let others tell you that your disorder isn't a real health problem. It's real and it's not your fault. Now it's time to take it your own life in your hands and do something about it!
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Remission, a reduced or normal distribution of mood changes, can occur in twenty percent of Bipolar Disorder patients. Remission occurs when the patient takes medication that evens out their moods. Finding the right medications can take years and once on the right medications it's possible that you will be constantly adjusting the medications to make sure they work correctly. There's a twenty percent chance that you'll be one of the patients in remission. We all hope for this chance at normality.
Unfortunately, there's a new study out that states that fifteen percent of all mental hospital readmissions are from Bipolar Disorder patients. The disorder is reoccuring in most patients. The disease doesn't get any better for some patients. They are remission resistant.
Does this have to be you? No. See your psychiatrist and your therapist regularly. Use a mood chart. Take your medications regularly. I recommend using the alarm clock on your cell phone to remind you to take your medications. You can also use Google Calendar to remind you. It will send reminders to your cell phone. Ask a family member to help you remember all your appointments if you have difficulty.
My best advice is not to give up hope. Remission could be in your future if you manage your disease like it was heart disease or diabetes. Don't let others tell you that your disorder isn't a real health problem. It's real and it's not your fault. Now it's time to take it your own life in your hands and do something about it!
About the AuthorEmail CristinaSubmit Your Story or ArticleSubscribe in a Reader© 2009 Cristina Fender
We need to have a serious discussion about adolescent bipolar and remission. There is an even lower chance of remission for childhood-onset bipolar, because of the extra added complication of puberty, growing bodies, and changing hormones.
Today's FDA vote on the approval of medications for pediatric bipolar is of critical importance to move forward towards trying to stabilize symptoms for young patients.
Very Interesting Blog!
2 Thumbs up for Twitter and your Blog.
Christos Raptis
Hi! I just wanted to stop by and say congrats on being listed as one of the best bipolar blogs on Health.com.