Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Page Four
2. Can it be cured? There is no absolute cure for bipolar illness. Most sufferers, however, can remain relatively symptom free if they comply rigidly with their medical regime, receive competent, ongoing psychotherapy by a therapist who understands the depth issues of the disorder, and adjust their lifestyle (e.g. absolutely no alcohol or non-prescription drugs).
3. Can a person with bipolar disorder keep his/her job? By all means. People who are compliant with medications, continue psychotherapy, and adjust their lifestyle are able to live normally for most of their lives. If or when they do have recurrences, family understanding and proper medication can generally restabilize them in a relatively short period of time.
4. Does bipolar illness involve demon possession? No. Many committed Christians suffer from bipolar disorder and, like non-Christians, they respond to medications like lithium carbonate. When a person responds to medications, that is clear evidence that the problem is physical or emotional—not a matter of demon possession.
5. Are there any side effects of the medical treatments for bipolar disorder? Yes, there often are. But the consequences of not taking medication may literally be death by suicide or impulsive, dangerous behavior. The person must stay on his or her medication.
6. How long does it take for medication to work? Often within one week of beginning treatment. On lithium carbonate, however, as with many medications, it may take much longer to find precisely the correct dosage. The correct dosage is the one that provides optimal relief of symptoms with a minimum of side effects.
7. How can psychotherapy help? First, by helping patients understand the disorder and learn the importance of taking medication regularly. Second, by helping patients accept themselves with their disorder. Illnesses such as bipolar disorder can tear at one’s self-esteem and make one feel lonely, isolated, and cut off from others. Third, by helping patients grow stronger emotionally, and learn to regulate their moods and handle the conflicts and stresses that can precipitate an acute phase of the disorder. Psychotherapy can also assist patients and their families to deal with family struggles better and to work together to control the patients’ illnesses.
 People suffering from bipolar illnesses
and their family members can receive
great strength from their faith in Christ
as well as their dependence on the
Word of God. Christian fellowship
also provides much-needed support.
8. How can I help a family member with bipolar illness? Get professional help for that person as soon as you see a manic or depressive episode coming on. Help him or her comply with medical treatment. Be patient and encourage that person to accept him/herself with the disorder. Pray for him. If your family member becomes suicidal or a danger to himself or others, get help immediately from the police or other crisis team.
9. Can’t God heal bipolar illness? Yes, He can. But He rarely does that apart from medication and the counseling and personal growth that comes from facing one’s suffering. People suffering from bipolar illnesses and their family members can receive great strength from their faith in Christ as well as their dependence on the Word of God. Christian fellowship also provides much-needed support. The result is that patients can grow incredibly by learning to accept and face their suffering as part of living in a fallen, sinful world. They can also learn to help others as a result of out of their own suffering. And they can have lasting hope that the best of life is yet to come—life in eternity with our Heavenly Father. Faith, in other words, can help people live well with their disorder.
One Book You Must Read
One book is a must read for anyone suffering from bipolar disorder, as well as the members of his or her family. It is written by a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine who personally suffers from bipolar disorder. It is a beautifully written, professionally accurate, moving personal account of learning to live well with bipolar illness. The author does not indicate that she is a Christian, but the book can be extraordinarily helpful to Christians as well as non-Christians. Do not miss this book! An Unquiet Mind by Kay Rafield Jameson, Vintage Books, New York, 1996.
Other Helpful Resources
Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association (DRADA)
Meyer 3-181
600 North Wolfe Street
Baltimore, MD 21287
(410) 955-4647
http://www.med.jhu.edu/drada
or
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
National Alliance for the Mentally (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
(703) 524-7600 (800) 950-NAMI
http://www.nami.org
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (NDMDA)
730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 642-7243 (800) 826-3632
http://www.ndmda.org
Copyright © 2001 by Narramore Christian Foundation
 Return to Page One
Dr. Todd W. Hall, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology, Biola University, La Mirada, California.
FREE: Click on the "Free Booklet" button below to send for a free copy of the booklet, Understanding Bipolar Disorder.
Return to Page One
NOTE: To email this article to a friend, return to page one and click on the "E-mail a Friend" button link at the top right of the page.
|
