Dogs for Bipolar Disorder

Service dogs have a long history of providing assistance to people with physical challenges and are increasingly used to aid those with psychiatric challenges. Psychiatric service dogs are extensively trained to perform specific tasks to meet the individualized needs of their handler and are permitted access to public places in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).1

Psychiatric service dogs can be trained to assist people living with bipolar disorder as well as other mental health challenges, including autism, schizophreniapost-traumatic stress disorderdepression, and panic disorder. The tasks a service dog is trained to perform to aid someone living with bipolar disorder ​depend on the individual’s circumstances and personal challenges and needs.

The Role of Service Dogs for Bipolar Disorder

The ultimate function of a psychiatric service dog is to alleviate or diminish the negative effects of bipolar disorder on the handler’s life. Examples of tasks a dog might be trained to perform for its human partner include:

  • Bring medication or remind their partner to take prescribed medicine at a specific time(s)
  • Awaken their partner at a specific time each day
  • Remind their partner to go to bed at a specific time to keep sleep cycles regular
  • Bring a portable phone to their partner or call 9-1-1 if the handler exhibits behaviors that might indicate a manic episode or severe depression
  • Interrupt potentially dangerous behaviors in their partner by nudging, nagging, or distracting with play
  • Alert the handler to the telephone, doorbell, or smoke alarm if their partner is asleep or possibly sedated due to medication
  • Calm or interrupt hypomanic or manic behaviors by leaning into their partner, or placing their head in the handler’s lap
  • Provide a link to reality if their partner experiences delusions during a manic episode2

While not considered a service dog function per se, the emotional support provided by a canine helper is often as valuable as the tasks the animal performs.

The presence of the dog can also help ground an individual with bipolar disorder and introduce a sense of stability and routine.

Laws Relating to Service Dogs

It is important to note that to qualify for the protections and allowances of the ADA, both the individual and the canine must meet specific criteria. In short, an individual must have a disability and a service dog must be specifically trained to meet the needs imposed by that disability.

  • An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
  • The ADA defines a service animal like a dog individually trained to do work or perform specific tasks to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If a dog meets this definition, it is considered a service animal under the ADA, regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government.3

Importantly, a psychiatric service dog differs from an emotional support dog, also called a comfort dog. While emotional support dogs certainly provide love, companionship, and comfort to their human partners, they are not trained to perform specific tasks that aid the handler in daily functioning. As such, emotional support dogs are not covered under the ADA.3

Other Considerations

If you’re living with bipolar disorder and considering getting a psychiatric service dog or an emotional support dog, talk with your doctor to determine what type of canine companion is best for you. A psychiatric service dog involves a considerable financial commitment because of the extensive training required, which may take up to two years to complete. Depending on your specific needs, however, you may consider this an invaluable investment.

Bipolar disorder

Photo by Chalo Garcia on Pexels.com

Everyone has changes in their mood, but with bipolar disorder these changes can be extreme, overwhelming and have a big impact on your life.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

If you have bipolar disorder, you’re likely to have episodes of depression (feeling very low) and mania (feeling very high). You may feel well between these episodes.

Bipolar symptoms can make daily life hard and affect your relationships and work.

During a depressive episode, you may:

  • feel sad, hopeless or irritable
  • lack energy and appetite
  • lose interest in everyday activities
  • have difficulty concentrating or remembering things
  • feel empty, worthless, guilty or despairing
  • have difficulty sleeping.

During a manic episode, you may:

  • feel full of energy
  • feel self-important or have lots of ideas and plans
  • be easily distracted, irritated or agitated
  • have no desire to sleep or eat
  • make decisions or say things that are out of character, risky or harmful.

Some people experience psychosis during a severe episode of depression or mania. This means you may see or hear things that aren’t there or believe things that aren’t true.

Episodes can last for several weeks or months with periods of less extreme mood in between. Depending on how you experience these moods and how severe they are, your doctor may diagnose you with a particular type of bipolar disorder. Mind has more information on these different types.

What causes bipolar disorder?

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but researchers believe a combination of factors make someone more likely to develop it. These include:

  • genetics – if you’re related to someone with bipolar disorder, you’re more likely to develop it yourself
  • chemical imbalance in the brain – too much or too little of certain chemicals could make you develop depression or mania
  • childhood trauma – abuse, neglect or bereavement in childhood can cause you to develop bipolar disorder. This could be because of the impact on your ability to regulate your emotions
  • stressful life events – a relationship breakdown or financial difficulties can be the trigger for bipolar symptoms.

You usually develop bipolar disorder before you’re 20. It’s rare to develop it after the age of 40.

Getting support

Treatment for bipolar disorder aims to reduce the severity and number of episodes of depression or mania you experience. The right treatment for you will depend on your type of bipolar, current symptoms, and your preferences and circumstances.

If you think you have bipolar disorder, start by speaking to your GP. It can help to keep a record of your moods to help you both understand your mood swings. You can download a mood scale and mood diary from the Bipolar UK website. Your GP may then refer you to a psychiatrist, who can give you a diagnosis.

There are different types of help you can get with bipolar disorder.

Talking therapy

There are different talking therapies that have been shown to work well for people with bipolar disorder.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you recognise how your feelings, thoughts, and behaviour influence each other and build strategies to change these patterns.
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on your relationships with others and how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are affected by your relationships and vice versa.

What you’re offered may depend on what’s available in your area and what you and your GP feel would be best for you.

Medication

There are different medications available to treat bipolar disorder. It’s likely your GP or psychiatrist offer you one of more of the following:

  • medication to prevent episodes of depression and mania. These are known as mood stabilisers
  • medication to treat the symptoms of depression and mania as they happen.

The NHS website has more information about medication for bipolar disorder.

Longer term plans

You may work with healthcare professionals to learn to monitor your mood and recognise what triggers your depression and mania. They may help you to develop a crisis or risk management plan so you know how to manage any early warning signs. This may involve friends and family, so they know how to recognise any early signs of distress and support you.

You can also help yourself by taking care of your physical health as well as your mental health and making sure that you get regular exercise, good quality sleep, and eat a healthy diet.

Psychosis

What is psychosis?

Psychosis is characterized by an impaired relationship with reality. It’s a symptom of serious mental disorders. People who are experiencing psychosis may have either hallucinations or delusions.

Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur within the absence of an actual stimulus. For example, a person having an auditory hallucination may hear their mother yelling at them when their mother isn’t around. Or someone having a visual hallucination may see something, like a person in front of them, who isn’t actually there.

The person experiencing psychosis may also have thoughts that are contrary to actual evidence. These thoughts are known as delusions. Some people with psychosis may also experience loss of motivation and social withdrawal.

These experiences can be frightening. They may also cause people who are experiencing psychosis to hurt themselves or others. It’s important to see a doctor right away if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of psychosis.

Recognizing the symptoms of psychosis

Symptoms of psychosis include:

Suicide prevention

  1. If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
  2. • Call 999 or your local emergency number.
  3. • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  4. • Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
  5. • Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
  6. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline.

What are delusions and hallucinations?

Delusions and hallucinations are two very different symptoms that are both often experienced by people with psychosis. Delusions and hallucinations seem real to the person who is experiencing them.

Delusions

A delusion is a false belief or impression that is firmly held even though it’s contradicted by reality and what is commonly considered true. There are delusions of paranoiagrandiose delusions, and somatic delusions.

People who are experiencing a delusion of paranoia might think that they are being followed when they aren’t or that secret messages are being sent to them. Someone with a grandiose delusion will have an exaggerated sense of importance. Somatic delusion is when a person believes they have a terminal illness, but in reality they’re healthy.

Hallucinations

A hallucination is a sensory perception in the absence of outside stimuli. That means seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling something that isn’t present. A person who is hallucinating might see things that don’t exist or hear people talking when they’re alone.

Causes of psychosis

Each case of psychosis is different, and the exact cause isn’t always clear. There are certain illnesses that cause psychosis, however. There are also triggers like drug use, lack of sleep, and other environmental factors. In addition, certain situations can lead to specific types of psychosis developing.

Illnesses

Illnesses that can cause psychosis include:

Some types of dementia may result in psychosis, such as that caused by:

Risk factors for developing psychosis

It’s not currently possible to precisely identify who is likely to develop psychosis. However, research has shown that genetics may play a role.

People are more likely to develop a psychotic disorder if they have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, who has a psychotic disorder.

Children born with the genetic mutation known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are at risk for developing a psychotic disorder, especially schizophrenia.

Types of psychosis

Some kinds of psychosis are brought on by specific conditions or circumstances that include the following:

Brief psychotic disorder

Brief psychotic disorder, sometimes called brief reactive psychosis, can occur during periods of extreme personal stress like the death of a family member. Someone experiencing brief reactive psychosis will generally recover in a few days to a few weeks, depending on the source of the stress.

Drug- or alcohol-related psychosis

Psychosis can be triggered by the use of alcohol or drugs, including stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD often cause users to see things that aren’t really there, but this effect is temporary. Some prescription drugs like steroids and stimulants can also cause symptoms of psychosis.

People who have an addition to alcohol or certain drugs can experience psychotic symptoms if they suddenly stop drinking or taking those drugs.

Organic psychosis

head injury or an illness or infection that affects the brain can cause symptoms of psychosis.

Psychotic disorders

Psychotic disorders can be triggered by stress, drug or alcohol use, injury, or illness. They can also appear on their own. The following types of disorders may have psychotic symptoms:

Bipolar disorder

When someone has bipolar disorder, their moods swing from very high to very low. When their mood is high and positive, they may have symptoms of psychosis. They may feel extremely good and believe they have special powers.

When their mood is depressed, the individual may have psychotic symptoms that make them feel angry, sad, or frightened. These symptoms include thinking someone is trying to harm them.

Delusional disorder

A person experiencing delusional disorder strongly believes in things that aren’t real.

Psychotic depression

This is major depression with psychotic symptoms.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a lifelong disease that is generally accompanied by psychotic symptoms.

How is psychosis diagnosed?

Psychosis is diagnosed through a psychiatric evaluation. That means a doctor will watch the person’s behavior and ask questions about what they’re experiencing. Medical tests and X-rays may be used to determine whether there is an underlying illness causing the symptoms.

Diagnosing psychosis in children and teenagers

Many of the symptoms of psychosis in adults aren’t symptoms of psychosis in young people. For example, small children often have imaginary friends with whom they talk. This just represents imaginative play, which is completely normal for children.

But if you’re worried about psychosis in a child or adolescent, describe their behavior to a doctor.

Treatment of psychosis

Treating psychosis may involve a combination of medications and therapy. Most people will experience an improvement in their symptoms with treatment.

Rapid tranquilization

Sometimes people experiencing psychosis can become agitated and be at risk of hurting themselves or others. In these cases, it may be necessary to calm them down quickly. This method is called rapid tranquilization. A doctor or emergency response personnel will administer a fast-acting injection or liquid medicine to quickly relax the patient.

Medication

Symptoms of psychosis can be controlled with medications called antipsychotics. They reduce hallucinations and delusions and help people think more clearly. The type of antipsychotic that is prescribed will depend on the symptoms.

In many cases, people only need to take antipsychotics for a short time to get their symptoms under control. People with schizophrenia may have to stay on medications for life.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy means meeting regularly to talk with a mental health counselor with the goal of changing thinking and behaviors. This approach has been shown to be effective in helping people make permanent changes and better manage their illness. It’s often most helpful for psychotic symptoms that don’t completely resolve with medications.

Complications and outlook of psychosis

Psychosis doesn’t have many medical complications. However, if left untreated, it can be challenging for people experiencing psychosis to take good care of themselves. That could cause other illnesses to go untreated.

Most people who experience psychosis will recover with proper treatment. Even in severe cases, medication and therapy can help.

Caring for someone with Bipolar

Caring for someone with bipolar disorder can be very hard, whether you’re a partner, parent, child, or friend of someone who has this condition. It’s stressful for everyone it touches.

It’s tough to strike a balance. You want to be supportive and empathetic, because you know the person with bipolar disorder isn’t to blame for their illness. But their behavior may affect you, and you have to take care of yourself and your needs, not just theirs.

Although there’s no easy solution, these tips may help.

Learn. Read information from reputable web sites, books, and articles that explain the condition. The more you know, the better.

Listen. Pay attention to what your loved one has to say. Don’t assume that you know what he or she is going through. Don’t dismiss all of their emotions and feelings as signs of their illness. Someone with bipolar disorder may still have valid points.

Encourage them to stick with treatment. Your love one needs to take their bipolar medication and get regular checkups or counseling.

Notice their symptoms. They may not be able to see it as clearly as you do when their bipolar symptoms are active. Or they may deny it. When you see the warning signs of mania or depression, you can try to make sure they get help ASAP.

Do things together. People who are depressed often pull away from others. So encourage your friend or loved one to get out and do things he or she enjoys. Ask him to join you for a walk or a dinner out. If he says no, let it go. Ask again a few days later.

Make a plan. Because bipolar disorder can often be an unpredictable illness, you should plan for bad times. Be clear. Agree with your loved one about what to do if their symptoms get worse. Have a plan for emergencies. If you both know what to do and what to expect of each other, you’ll feel more confident about the future.

Stick to a schedule. If you live with someone who has bipolar disorder, encourage them to stick to a schedule for sleep and other daily activities. Some research shows that it’s helpful to have a regular routine. The person will still need medicine and counseling, but look for everyday things, like exercise and a healthy diet, that supports their overall health.

Express your own concerns. Since your loved one’s behavior can have a huge effect on you, it’s OK to discuss. Don’t blame the other person or list all of his mistakes. Instead, focus on how his actions make you feel and how they affect you. Since this can be really hard to do, you might find it easiest to talk about it together with a therapist.

Take care of yourself. As intense as your loved one’s needs may be, you count, too. It’s important for you to stay healthy emotionally and physically.

Do things that you enjoy. Stay involved with other people you’re close to — social support and those relationships mean a lot. Think about seeing a therapist on your own or joining a support group for other people who are close to someone who has bipolar disorder.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

Overview

Vagus nerve stimulation involves the use of a device to stimulate the vagus nerve with electrical impulses. An implantable vagus nerve stimulator is currently FDA-approved to treat epilepsy and depression. There’s one vagus nerve on each side of your body, running from your brainstem through your neck to your chest and abdomen.

In conventional vagus nerve stimulation, a device is surgically implanted under the skin on your chest, and a wire is threaded under your skin connecting the device to the left vagus nerve. When activated, the device sends electrical signals along the left vagus nerve to your brainstem, which then sends signals to certain areas in your brain. The right vagus nerve isn’t used because it’s more likely to carry fibers that supply nerves to the heart.

Why it’s done

Device placement in vagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulationOpen pop-up dialog box

About one-third of people with epilepsy don’t fully respond to anti-seizure drugs. Vagus nerve stimulation may be an option to reduce the frequency of seizures in people who haven’t achieved control with medications.

Vagus nerve stimulation may also be helpful for people who haven’t responded to intensive depression treatments, such as antidepressant medications, psychological counselling (psychotherapy) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved vagus nerve stimulation for people who:

  • Are 4 years old and older
  • Have focal (partial) epilepsy
  • Have seizures that aren’t well-controlled with medications

The FDA has also approved vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of depression in adults who:

  • Have chronic, hard-to-treat depression (treatment-resistant depression)
  • Haven’t improved after trying four or more medications or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or both
  • Continue standard depression treatments along with vagus nerve stimulation

Additionally, researchers are studying vagus nerve stimulation as a potential treatment for a variety of conditions, including headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, bipolar disorder, obesity and Alzheimer’s disease.

Risks

For most people, vagus nerve stimulation is safe. But it does have some risks, both from the surgery to implant the device and from the brain stimulation.

Surgery risks

Surgical complications with implanted vagus nerve stimulation are rare and are similar to the dangers of having other types of surgery. They include:

  • Pain where the cut (incision) is made to implant the device
  • Infection
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Vocal cord paralysis, which is usually temporary, but can be permanent

Side effects after surgery

Some of the side effects and health problems associated with implanted vagus nerve stimulation can include:

  • Voice changes
  • Hoarseness
  • Throat pain
  • Cough
  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Tingling or prickling of the skin
  • Insomnia
  • Worsening of sleep apnea

For most people, side effects are tolerable. They may lessen over time, but some side effects may remain bothersome for as long as you use implanted vagus nerve stimulation.

Adjusting the electrical impulses can help minimize these effects. If side effects are intolerable, the device can be shut off temporarily or permanently.

How you prepare

It’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of implanted vagus nerve stimulation before deciding to have the procedure. Make sure you know what all of your other treatment choices are and that you and your doctor both feel that implanted vagus nerve stimulation is the best option for you. Ask your doctor exactly what you should expect during surgery and after the pulse generator is in place.

Food and medications

You may need to stop taking certain medications ahead of time, and your doctor may ask you not to eat the night before the procedure.

What you can expect

Before the procedure

Before surgery, your doctor will do a physical examination. You may need blood tests or other tests to make sure you don’t have any health concerns that might be a problem. Your doctor may have you start taking antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection.

During the procedure

Surgery to implant the vagus nerve stimulation device can be done on an outpatient basis, though some surgeons recommend staying overnight.

The surgery usually takes an hour to an hour and a half. You may remain awake but have medication to numb the surgery area (local anesthesia), or you may be unconscious during the surgery (general anesthesia).

The surgery itself doesn’t involve your brain. Two incisions are made, one on your chest or in the armpit (axillary) region, and the other on the left side of the neck.

The pulse generator is implanted in the upper left side of your chest. The device is meant to be a permanent implant, but it can be removed if necessary.

The pulse generator is about the size of a stopwatch and runs on battery power. A lead wire is connected to the pulse generator. The lead wire is guided under your skin from your chest up to your neck, where it’s attached to the left vagus nerve through the second incision.

After the procedure

The pulse generator is turned on during a visit to your doctor’s office a few weeks after surgery. Then it can be programmed to deliver electrical impulses to the vagus nerve at various durations, frequencies and currents. Vagus nerve stimulation usually starts at a low level and is gradually increased, depending on your symptoms and side effects.

Stimulation is programmed to turn on and off in specific cycles — such as 30 seconds on, five minutes off. You may have some tingling sensations or slight pain in your neck and temporary hoarseness when the nerve stimulation is on.

The stimulator doesn’t detect seizure activity or depression symptoms. When it’s turned on, the stimulator turns on and off at the intervals selected by your doctor. You can use a hand-held magnet to initiate stimulation at a different time, for example, if you sense an impending seizure.

The magnet can also be used to temporarily turn off the vagus nerve stimulation, which may be necessary when you do certain activities such as public speaking, singing or exercising, or when you’re eating if you have swallowing problems.

You’ll need to visit your doctor periodically to make sure that the pulse generator is working correctly and that it hasn’t shifted out of position. Check with your doctor before having any medical tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which might interfere with your device.

Results

Implanted vagus nerve stimulation isn’t a cure for epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy won’t stop having seizures or taking epilepsy medication altogether after the procedure. But many will have fewer seizures, up to 20 to 50 percent fewer. Seizure intensity may lessen as well.

It can take months or even a year or longer of stimulation before you notice any significant reduction in seizures. Vagus nerve stimulation may also shorten the recovery time after a seizure. People who’ve had vagus nerve stimulation to treat epilepsy may also experience improvements in mood and quality of life.

Research is still mixed on the benefits of implanted vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of depression. Some studies suggest the benefits of vagus nerve stimulation for depression accrue over time, and it may take at least several months of treatment before you notice any improvements in your depression symptoms. Implanted vagus nerve stimulation doesn’t work for everybody, and it isn’t intended to replace traditional treatments.

Additionally, some health insurance carriers may not pay for this procedure.

Studies of implanted vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, headaches and rheumatoid arthritis have been too small to draw any definitive conclusions about how well it may work for those problems. More research is needed.

Living with hidden disabilities

In the UK alone, 1 in 5 people has a disability, with 80% of those having an invisible disability.

What is an invisible disability?

A person is considered to have a disability if he or she has difficulty performing certain functions (seeing, hearing, talking, walking, climbing stairs and lifting and carrying), or has difficulty performing activities of daily living, or has difficulty with certain social roles (doing school work for children, working at a job and around the house for adults).

Invisible disabilities, also known as Hidden Disabilities or Non-visible Disabilities, are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Typically, they are chronic illnesses and conditions that significantly impair normal activities of daily living.

Living with these conditions can make daily life more demanding for many people. They affect each person in different ways and can be painful, exhausting, and isolating. Without visible evidence of the hidden disability, it is frequently difficult for others to acknowledge the challenges faced and as a consequence, sympathy and understanding can often be in short supply.

Examples of Hidden Disabilities
While this list is by no means exhaustive, some examples of hidden disabilities include:

  • Autism
  • Brain injuries
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Chronic pain
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Depression, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, and language processing disorder
  • Lupus
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Visual and auditory disabilities. These could be considered visible if the person with the disability didn’t wear support aids such as glasses or hearing aids

During the COVID-19 pandemic, invisible disabilities have become a talking point, which is why it is important to raise awareness of them.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common condition where sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain cause seizures or fits. There are lots of possible symptoms of epileptic seizures, including uncontrollable shaking or losing awareness of things around you. The main treatment for epilepsy is medicine to help prevent seizures. It’s often not clear what causes epilepsy. Sometimes it runs in families or is caused by damage to the brain from trauma such as a severe head injury.

Useful Resources

Epilepsy bed sensor

Footprint GPS Alarm

Seizures and me: Charlotte’s story

Epilepsy Action – Free online course What to do when someone has a seizure

Epilepsy first aid poster

How we can help

Assistive technology can promote a sense of independence for those living with epilepsy, whilst providing peace of mind and reassurance for loved ones and carers.

Epilepsy sensors are used to monitor people with epilepsy while they are asleep in bed. Patented sensor technology detects a person’s movement in bed and is able to differentiate normal movements from epileptic seizures enabling tonic clonic seizures to be detected the moment they occur. They help carers respond quickly when needed, and avoid disturbing a person’s sleep when they are not. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted to best suit the person’s requirements.

This sensor is suitable for use with children as well as adults.

Outside the home                                   

Our GPS falls detector recognises when a person falls and connects straight through to our alarm response centre – ensuring help is on its way when you need it most. The alarm can be set up to alert an emergency contact or we can request an ambulance right away – the plan can be tailored to your individual needs.

This is a great solution for teenagers or adults with epilepsy. In many cases a parent or carer for someone with epilepsy will undertake regular checks or need to be on hand 24/7. This means constant worry for the care giver and a loss of independence for the individual. Our Footprint device will automatically raise an alert if it detects a fall, (no need to press a button) as well as being able to locate where you are. This enables appropriate care to be provided quickly, without the need for manual checks. 

A Helping Hand

Our products and plans are tailor made to help you or your loved ones stay safe. Explore the range below and see how Progress Lifeline can assist those with Epilepsy.

Epilepsy bed sensor

These are used to detect seizures whilst in bed. They are able to detect movements that are associated with a tonic clonic type seizure.

Footprint GPS Alarm & Falls Detector

The Footprint is a GPS location device, pendant alarm & falls detector all-in-one.

Falls Detector

The Falls Detector can be worn as a pendant or as a watch. When a fall is detected, the device automatically connects the wearer to our alarm response centre – no need to even press the button.

Key Safe

A KeySafe can be installed externally to allow safe and secure emergency access to your home. (A code is used by contacts that you approve to help in an emergency).

Emergency Home Response

Add our Emergency Home Response service to any alarm package for just £11 per month. Our responders provide 24/7 assistance to you at home if your family and named contacts can’t get there.

  

Bipolar type one

Bipolar Type 1 is considered the most severe form of this illness.

According to the DSM 5, Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by one or more manic episode or mixed episodes (mixed episodes involve mania and depression) accompanied by episodes of depression alone (without mania or hypomania).

This is the most distinguishing, defining element of Bipolar I, (i.e. at least one truly manic episode).

A person may display psychotic symptoms such as delusions of grandeur or hallucinations.

In these cases, the condition is described as Bipolar Disorder I with psychotic features.

Bipolar I episodes of mania are so severe and debilitating that some experts use the term “raging Bipolar”.

A key point is “the symptoms are severe enough to disrupt the patient’s ability to work and socialize.”

Someone suffering from Bipolar I can have great difficulty functioning. You could have trouble holding down a job or maintaining a healthy relationship and typical, every day interactions with family and friends.1

Some symptoms you might experience during a manic episode include:

1. Decreased need for sleep.

2. Racing thoughts.

3. Pressured speech.

4. Excess energy or excessive hyperactivity.

5. Increased involvement in reckless or risky behavior.

6. Grandiosity or inflated self-esteem.

7. Becoming easily distracted or unable to finish one task or activity.

It is the tendency to become involved in risky or reckless behaviors that makes a manic episode the most dangerous to a patient. Driving carelessly, spending excessively and engaging in unsafe and reckless sex can have serious consequences that just do not matter to you at the time.

In a severe manic episode a person can lose all touch with reality. Left untreated a manic episode can last anywhere from a few days to several years of recurring episodes. Most of the time these symptoms will last for a few weeks or a few months.

The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is the presence of mania versus hypomania. It is important to understand this distinction in detail.

Bipolar I mania is often followed by a depressive episode. It can come within days or not pop up for several weeks or months.

During a depressive episode you may feel drained, in deep despair, guilty for no reason, worthless and irritable.

BP_Type_1

Activities you normally enjoy will hold no interest. You may experience sudden weight loss or weight gain and uncontrollable crying spells. At your lowest moment you may even have thoughts of suicide.

Again, possible consequences mean nothing to the afflicted person. These depressive episodes can last for years, which is why Bipolar I is often mistaken for chronic depression.

Many people with Bipolar I Disorder can enjoy periods where they don’t experience any symptoms in between episodes. These individuals are often able to go about their life, work, participate in family life, and socialize like anyone else. A minority of patients have rapid-cycling symptoms between mania and depression. In extreme cases symptoms of mania and depression can even alternate in the same day.2

Causes of Bipolar Disorder.

The exact cause of Bipolar Disorders is not precisely understood. It seems to be a combination of 3 things:

1. Genetics.

2. Chemical imbalances in the brain.

3. Stress and triggering events that somehow “activate” an inherited or genetic predisposition to the disorder.

Are Bipolar I and Bipolar II treated differently?

When you go for an assessment, just like with any other illness, you will be asked about family history. A close relative such as a parent with suspected or diagnosed bipolar disorder greatly increases the likelihood other family members also having the illness.

If you are concerned, take a Bipolar test.

So far, there does not seem to be any way to prevent the illness, but you can prevent some episodes of mania or depression once a doctor establishes that you do in fact have Bipolar I Disorder.

Bipolar I almost always requires the person to take medication for effective management. Don’t worry – stability and sanity is SO worth it!3

The key factor is stabilization. Regular therapy, a healthy diet, exercise and – MOST OF ALL – mood stabilizing medications such as
lithium can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of Bipolar I episodes.