Question:

Can people recover fully from this illness? I have been medicated and been hospitalised over 20years.

Answer:

Bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depression) is a medical condition which affects the functioning of the brain, so that the person experiences extreme moods — very high and over-excited or very low and depressed. it affects around two in a hundred people at some time in life.

When people with bipolar disorder become high, over-excited and reckless, or imagine that they are more important or influential than they are in real life, they can behave in an uncharacteristically irrational or risky manner. They can also become extremely low, feeling helpless and depressed, with difficulty making decisions or concentrating. Some people mainly experience highs. Some experience mainly lows, and some experience both extremes — becoming profoundly depressed or over-excited.

There is no 'cure' for bipolar disorder yet, but the symptoms generally react well to treatment, and most people with bipolar disorder recover well from episodes of the illness. Treatment usually includes a mood-stabilising medication and may also involve psychological therapy and community support.

If you are concerned about the effectiveness of your treatment, please discuss this with your treating doctor, as it may be worth reviewing your medication as well as other methods for managing the symptoms. For more information about bipolar disorder and resources on this topic, you can contact the SANE Helpline on Freecall 1800 18 SANE (7263) or via the SANE website at www.sane.org.