People suffering with bipolar disorder symptoms have higher mortality rates from suicide, heart problems and other forms of death compared to the general population. People who are able to get proper treatment under the guidance of experienced health care provider can significantly improve their survival rates, including deaths from suicide and heart disease (there is some link between heart disease and major depression).
Suicide Rate and Bipolar Disorder
According to one study, the risk for suicide is very high in patients suffering from bipolar disorder who do not get proper medical treatment. Around 10-15% of patients with Bipolar I Disorder commit suicide, with the risks being highest during episodes of depression or mixed mania (the state of simultaneous depression and mania).
Some studies believe the risk for suicide in Bipolar II Disorder patients is even higher than those who are suffering with Bipolar I Disorder or major depressive disorder. Patients who also suffer from an anxiety disorder also are at greater risk for suicide. Fast cycling, a more complex bipolar disorder variation, does not appear to enhance the suicide risk in patients with bipolar disorder symptoms.
Lots of pre- and early adolescent children with bipolar disorder are more severely ill than adults with the disease. Around 25% of children with bipolar disorder are seriously suicidal and have a much higher risk for mixed mania, multiple and continuous cycles, and a long duration of illness without a gap in between.
Memory and Bipolar Disorder
Research clearly indicates that patients with bipolar disorder have wide array of issues with short and long-term memory, speed of information processing, as well as mental flexibility. Such kind of issues persists even between episodes. According to experts, these issues tend to be more complex when a person has more manic episodes. Initial signs are that some of these abnormalities arise because of the medications used for bipolar disorder. However, a few studies suggest that such traits may have a biologic factor. Whatever the case, these mental difficulties may make it tougher for the patients to participate in psychotherapies.
Distorted Thinking
Some bipolar disorder patients show increased productivity or creativity during manic episodes. The distorted thinking and impaired judgment that are the prevalent features of manic episodes can give rise to dangerous behavior, including:
Spending money without any motive (buying new cars or cell phones monthly).
Angry, paranoid, and even violent behavior (hitting, sexual abuse).
Such behaviors are often followed by low self-esteem and guilt, especially during depressed episodes. It is of immense importance that patients need to be reminded that the mood disturbance is not going to stay forever and it will come to an end with proper treatment.
Substance Abuse with Manic Depression
Cigarette smoking is prevalent among bipolar patients, particularly those who have continuous or complex psychotic symptoms. There is some speculation that nicotine use may be a kind of self-medication because of its impact on the brain. Further research is being conducted. Around 60% of patients with bipolar disorder abuse other substances such as alcohol, marijuana and cocaine at some point in the course of their illness. Here are risk factors for alcoholism and substance abuse in bipolar patients:
Having mixed-state episodes rather than ones of pure mania.
Being male with bipolar disorder.
Effects on Family
People suffering with bipolar disorder do not exist in a vacuum so they have a direct effect on others around them. It is quite tough for even the most caring of families to be objective and consistently sympathetic with an individual who just creates problem for them all the time. Most of the time, family members feel socially alienated by having a relative with mental illness.
