Bipolar Support Group

Bipolar disorder has consistently been coupled to cognitive impairments that hinder the cognitive and social functioning of BD patients. However, for years, these cognitive deficits were believed to disappear during euthymic states of the disorder. Growing bodies of evidence suggest that even when stable, BD patients suffer from trait-associated cognitive impairment.

Site source =>    http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1516-44462009000200015&script=sci_arttext

More bipolar research found here=>  http://internationalbipolarfoundation.org/research-news%20

Subthreshold Bipolar Disorder – Not Ready for Prime Time

 About 1% of our population suffers from "no doubt about it" bipolar affective disorder (bipolar I disorder).  Persons with this disorder experience serious episodes of both depression and mania that can last for weeks to years. Manic symptoms are dramatic and disruptive, and typically include elevated or irritable mood, inappropriate self-esteem (grandiosity), markedly decreased need forsleep, excessive energy, hypertalkativeness (often with rapid and uninterruptable speech), and extremely bad judgment, often involving sexual behaviors or financial decisions.  Psychotic symptoms, including auditory and visual hallucinations, and delusional thinking (such as believing that one is God), are common and disruptive.  Untreated, this illness severely impairs function and can lead to disability and death.  Many, but not all, patients with bipolar I disorder respond well to currently available treatments. Patients are usually treated with medications along with education and rehabilitative therapies. 

As I work with my therapist through Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) one issue that comes up time and time again is my negative thinking.  We challenge the thoughts and work towards identifying the rational response that will lead me to the new thought.  It is not an easy process and has taken a lot of practice, but it has been beneficial to my well-being.  I have written this article to hopefully guide others through the path of Negative Thoughts.