Bipolar Disorder FAQs - Seasonal Affective Disorder

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

14. What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder occurring at a specific time of the year. The most common seasonal pattern is recurrent depression in late fall and early winter or sometimes in the late spring or early summer around the time of the solstices. There clearly seems to be some biologic component to this, perhaps having to do with ambient light and its duration and intensity. There has been a great deal of study in using bright-light therapy as a treatment intervention for mood disorder. In addition, standard treatments such as antidepressant medicines are also effective for treating people with a seasonal pattern to their mood disorder.

15. What is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode following the delivery of a child. The length of the postpartum period for risk of depression varies, but the greatest risk is within the first one to three months after delivery. This is an especially vulnerable period, and obstetricians and pediatricians need to be especially vigilant during this time. Recognizing postpartum depression not only alleviates illness and suffering in the mother, but also prevents secondary effects on the growth and development of the infant.

16. What is schizoaffective disorder?

Schizoaffective disorder is really two different illnesses: schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, and schizoaffective disorder depressive type. The bipolar type resembles bipolar disorder with recurrent manic and depressive episodes over time, but has psychotic symptoms outside the manic or depressive episodes. The psychosis is more chronic punctuated by manic and depressive episodes. The depressive subtype resembles schizophrenia with chronic psychotic symptoms, but has recurrent depressive episodes.

17. What resources are available for people suffering from bipolar disorder?

There has never been a time of greater hope for people with this illness. There have been substantial advances in treatment in the last 10 years. Twenty years ago there was really only one medication, lithium, that was widely regarded to be effective. There are now a number of alternative mood stabilizers; there is a whole new generation of antidepressants for depression and another group of medications that may, over time, improve upon older mood stabilizers. There have also been advances in psychotherapy, including group therapy to improve functioning, cognitive therapy to reduce stress and improve functioning, and substantial support from consumer advocacy groups like the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (NDMDA).

18. How can family members assist the bipolar patient?

The first step for any family member is to educate themselves as well as the family member who has the illness about bipolar disorder. They should try to identify the features of the illness that are distinct to that individual, including the warning signs of recurrent manic or depressive episodes, so that someone in treatment can get immediate help to ward off those symptoms.

In addition, education helps people understand what is and is not within the control of an individual who has this illness. Family members can also assist with medication compliance and should be supportive in a health-supporting way for the family member with the illness. This will also prevent their own burnout and exhaustion.

There are still people who do not respond well to available medication. Compliance with treatment still remains a problem, as does access to treatment for many patients. People with serious psychiatric illnesses sometimes have problems obtaining appropriate mental health insurance coverage.

Furthermore, bipolar disorder is still underrecognized and underappreciated in the general population. People with bipolar disorder require individualized treatment. Many people do well with pharmacology-based treatment, but others need in-depth psychotherapy and support from community services, including rehabilitation and long-term treatment.

Source: Answers provided by Paul Keck, M.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

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