Health and Wellness Blog

Living with Bipolar Disorder

Do you feel sad and depressed one day and then highly energized and excited the next?  Are you moody, easily distracted or overly agitated?  Do you have trouble sleeping or eating?  Do you abuse drugs or engage in risky or agressive behaviours?  Does it affect your work at school or at the office?  These are some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder (previously called Manic-Depressive Illness) is a mood disorder that will affect 1% of Canadians in their lifetime.

For more information, read What is Bipolar Disorder?, a brochure from the Mood Disorders Society of Canada or Bipolar Disorder from the Mayo Clinic.

See a list of the free Upcoming Support Programs in Toronto at the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario website.

Check out the Library's recent books about bipolar disorder.  To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the title or cover link; 

The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide	Living with Bipolar Disorder	Living with Someone Who's Living with Bipolar Disorder: a Practical Guide for Family, Friends, and Coworkers

The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder	Facing Bipolar: the Young Adult's Guide to Dealing with Bipolar Disorder	100 Questions & Answers about Your Child's Depression or Bipolar Disorder

Understanding Schizophrenia

    As many as 1 in 100 Canadian families experience schizophrenia.  The exact cause of the disease is still unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance.  Though there is no cure for schizophrenia, it is treatable.

 

It often manifests in adolescence or early adulthood with the following symptoms:

•  hallucinations
•  delusions
•  thought disorders
•  withdrawal from family, friends and social activities

 

But it is important to have family and friends for support.  As many as five to ten percent of persons with schizophrenia die of suicide.

For more information about the symptoms, treatment and medications of schizophrenia, read Schizophrenia: the Journey to Recovery: a Consumer and Family Guide to Assessment and Treatment , a publication co-published by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada.

There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding people with schizophrenia such as they are lazy, violent or have multiple personalities.  These misunderstandings often result in discrimination and the person with schizophrenia not seeking medical treatment.  

The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario is a good place to learn about the Stigma surrounding schizophrenia, what it is and how to cope with it.  There is also a place to Ask the EXPERTS.

Check out the Library's recent books about schizophrenia for more information. To see which branch has a copy of the book and to place a hold, click on the cover or title link;

  

Medical Illness and Schizophrenia	The Everything Health Guide to Schizophrenia	100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Schizophrenia