JoAnn Howley's bipolar disorder has caused her much heartache, and it also landed her in the Topeka State Hospital
by cycling mood changes: severe highs, which are referred to as manias, and lows, which are referred to as depression. The mood changes can be dramatic and surprising, but most often they are gradual. When a person is in the depressive stage, he or she generally has all of the symptoms of general depression. When in the mania stage, individuals may be overactive, over-talkative and may have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment and social behavior in ways that can cause people serious problems and embarrassment. For example, manias can cause people to make grandiose or unwise business decisions and purchases.
professional help and is on anti-depressant medication, she says she feels she has more control over her life now than ever before. "I think that I'll be on the journey of recovery for my entire life," she says. "I don't think I'll ever arrive, but I am getting better." She lives on her own in a Topeka apartment and has established good relationships with her two daughters and one son. She works on the help line at NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses in Topeka. "It's comforting to hear people who are going through the same things that I am," she says. "I can really relate."
Another form of depression is dysthymia. It involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep individuals from feeling good and functioning at their highest levels. Although
eight times. Howley's disorder has not only caused havoc on her own life, but also in her friends' and family's lives. "When I was really sick, some of my family members thought that this was a game that I was playing," she says. "I would sometimes try to hide it from them. It was just easier that way."
Howley's disease has had it ups and downs throughout her life. She has attempted suicide more times than she can remember, usually by overdosing. She says one time even led her to be in a coma for three days, and her family was told she would die. After seeking various forms of help, Howley began to make progress and turn her life around. She says she still thinks about suicide every now and then, but now she only thinks about doing it. Although she still seeks
those with dysthymia do not experience major depression all the time, they do go through major depressive episodes throughout their lives.
Tony Terwelp noticed he had acute signs of depression his sophomore year of high school. Now, 46, Terwelp's condition has fluctuated between dysthymia and bipolar throughout his life. He says his contraction of the disease was most likely due to genetics; his birth mother resided in a state hospital for 10 years. At a young age, Terwelp noticed that he took life too seriously and he let things get to him more than his peers. His bipolar disorder causes a chemical imbalance in his body. "When my chemicals are such that I'm at my lowest point, I have days that are almost unbearable," Terwelp says. "I sometimes have to stay in bed all day."
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thursday, october 16, 2003