Many women have a full load of responsibilities ranging from taking care of the children, working outside of the home, maintaining the home and running errands. A woman with bipolar disorder has the added challenge of doing all those things and managing their bipolar disorder. Self care for a woman who has bipolar disorder is vital. Without self care a woman can literally drive herself crazy. To help understand what type of impact bipolar can have on a woman’s life and self care tips for women with bipolar disorder, I have interviewed psychologist Dr. Lois Vanderkooi.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
“I work as a licensed psychologist in Colorado. I have been working in mental health since 1982 after I changed careers from law and sociology to psychology. I first obtained a Masters degree and then a doctorate degree in psychology and then did a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at Menninger. My doctoral research involved understanding and working with extreme mental states that can come up with intensive meditation. Currently, I specialize in working with extreme mental and emotional states through a focus on mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and compassionate communication.
What are some symptoms a woman with bipolar disorder experiences?
A bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder. The standard manual used by mental health professionals (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–DSM-IV) delineates two main bipolar disorders. Bipolar I involves more extreme manic symptoms than Bipolar II. Both involve major depressive episodes, which in many ways are the opposite of a manic episode. Manic symptoms involve a persistently and abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. For example, a woman might have a lot of energy, including sexual energy, and need less sleep. She might feel really excited and happy and believe that she can do anything. She may make impulsive decisions, such as going on spending sprees, using drugs, or having sex indiscriminately. Her thoughts may race and scatter, and she can talk in a loud, pressured, and disconnected way. If feeling irritable or thwarted, she may express anger inappropriately and easily. At more extreme levels, the mania could involve delusions of grandiosity, such as believing that she is someone famous or with special powers.
One could also view less severe bipolar disorders as a problem with regulating the nervous system. These difficulties can stem from prior traumatic experiences and chronic stress. The autonomic nervous system has two branches. The sympathetic branch, which normally helps one focus on and do things in an alert way; and the parasympathetic branch, which normally helps one digest food and rest and restore energy. With sympathetic branch activation (adrenaline and other stress hormones in the system), one can experience fight/flight symptoms involving anxiety, anger, and mania. The mind speeds up and can become more scattered. With too much energy overloading the system, the parasympathetic branch puts the brakes on and one can experience the freeze response'”depression, exhaustion, and feeling numb and disconnected.”
What type of impact does bipolar disorder have on a woman’s overall life?
“Some people with bipolar disorder can seem quite creative and productive, at least for awhile, but when the line is crossed, the disorder can become quite destructive to relationships and work. As one can imagine from the above list of symptoms, it can become quite difficult to sustain good balance and judgment in life when a bipolar disorder is out of control.
What are some self care tips you can give to women who have bipolar disorder?
It can be helpful to have therapeutic support–an outside neutral view that can keep one on track and help one work with nervous system imbalance and other symptoms of bipolar disorder. In most cities, there are free support groups run by people with mood disorders in a fashion similar to AA. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, http://www.nami.org/) may be a resource in that regard.”
What type of professional help is available for women with bipolar disorder?
“Psychiatrists specializing in mood disorders such as bipolar disorder can prescribe medication that can be helpful when symptoms become destructive or unmanageable. Psychotherapists specializing in bipolar disorders can be helpful in teaching self-care skills and providing a non-judgmental and safe arena for dealing with the effects of the disorder. Sometimes group therapy, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, can be especially helpful as it focuses on developing self-awareness and regulation skills.
Thank you Dr. Vanderkooi for doing the interview on self care tips for bipolar women. For more information on Dr. Vanderkooi or her work you can check out her website on www.drlvk.com.
Recommended Readings:
Tips For Identifying Bipolar Disorder in Your Teen
Bipolar Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
