Tag Archives: Understanding

I Love You, I Hate You But Don’t Go: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder  

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Article by Narcisus Berdimo







It amazes me that 6-10 million Americans have been diagnosed with this isolating disorder. What?s amazing about this is that not much is written about BPD much less talked about. Almost like there is a stigma attached to the very name.

The name Borderline Personality Disorder originated in 1938 by Adolph Stern. He was describing a group of patients that didn?t quite fit an existing diagnosis; patients that were classified as past the neurotic stage but not quite psychotic. However these days this disorder is seen in a different way but the name BPD has stuck.

BPD is relatively common, affecting 10-14% of the general population. Women commonly suffer from depression more often than men and the frequency of BPD in women is two to three times greater than men. Nearly 20% of psychiatric hospitalizations stem from BPD.

While people that suffer with depression or bipolar disorder typically endure the same mood for several weeks at a time, a person with BPD can experience depression and anxiety that may last only an hour or at most, a day.

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

1 Impulsive aggression2 Self injury3 Strong feelings of anxiety4 Feelings of low self worth5 Drug or alcohol abuse6 Impulsive behaviors7 Feelings of being misunderstood8 Experience unstable relationships

Sometimes people suffering from BPD view themselves essentially as bad people or unworthy. This mood instability and poor self-image can bring on bouts of anger, eating disorders, panic attacks and anxiety. Very intense emotional turmoil appears to be a way of life for those afflicted by it.

However, often times a person with BPD can present as a bright, intelligent individual with a warm, friendly nature. They can maintain this appearance for a number of years until their defense mechanism breaks down, usually because of a very stressful situation like a relationship breakup or death of a loved one.

They may feel isolated and empty which may result in frantic efforts to avoid being alone. People with BPD often formulate highly unstable relationship patterns. While their relationships with family and friends can be very intense their attitude can change dramatically and suddenly from great admiration and love to profound anger and distaste. Often times they will form an immediate attachment to another person but when even a slight conflict or separation occurs they shift suddenly to the other extreme and accuse the other person of not really caring about them at all. They are highly sensitive to any sign (real or imagined) of rejection and react quickly with anger and distress when their expectations are not met.

Over the years treatments for BPD have improved with group and individual psychotherapy at least partially effective for a great number of patients. Talking about present challenges and past experiences with an empathetic and accepting therapist on a consistent and regular basis has proven effective. Patients are encouraged to talk about their feelings rather than expel them in their usual self-defeating manner.

Sometimes medications such as antidepressants or lithium carbonate are helpful in treatment of BPD and brief hospitalization may be necessary during acutely stressful episodes or if self-destructive behavior threatens to erupt.

The goals of ongoing therapy and/or treatments would be to increase an individual?s tolerance of anxiety as well as increase self awareness and build more stability into relationships. With increased self awareness and introspection, it is hoped that individuals with BPD will be able to change rigid patterns of behavior set earlier in life which in turn will help prevent these patterns from repeating themselves in future generations.



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For more details on BPD pay a visit to Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Test

Understanding Psychotic Depression?

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Psychotic depression is a condition in which people who suffer from major depression also suffer from a combination of delusional thinking and auditory and visual hallucinations. It is estimated that 25% of the people who are admitted to a hospital for depression also suffer from psychotic depression.

The psychosis of this type of depression can cause its sufferers to become paranoid and believe that others are controlling or listening to their thoughts. They can begin to lose touch with reality as their hallucinations and delusions grow. They begin to believe the thoughts or voices they hear criticizing them and putting them down.

The paranoia and imagined thoughts and voices only make the depression side of the equation worse. A psychotic depressive has a very high risk of suicide because many times the voices they hear lead them down that path, telling them they don’t deserve to live and should kill themselves.

The delusions and hallucinations are much like those suffered by people with other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. The difference is that many people who suffer psychotic depression are aware that the thoughts aren’t true or that they are imagining them.

A schizophrenic on the other hand does not understand this and believes their delusional thinking to be true. The psychotic depressive can be ashamed or embarrassed by these hallucinations and may try to hide what is happening to them. This can make diagnosing the condition more difficult than need be.

The symptoms of psychotic depression include:

• Anxiety

• Agitation

• Hypochondria

• Insomnia

• Physical Immobility

• Constipation

• Cognitive Impairment

Research into the cause has shown that those who suffer from this illness have high levels of the hormone cortisol in their blood. Cortisol is responsible for the fight or flight response people have during times of stress.

Treating psychotic depression can be achieved with a combination anti-depressant and anti-psychotic medication. In some cases electroconvulsive therapy has been shown to be effective in treating the condition but is only used as a backup therapy. It is important to note that treatment for this condition usually requires hospitalization and continued monitoring by a professional mental health therapist.

If the proper treatment is obtained the prognosis for those who suffer psychotic depression is good, but it can take up to a year or more to be effective. Sufferers of this condition have a much higher recurrence rate, particularly for the depressive symptoms. It is therefore important that anyone who has suffered from and has been successfully treated continue to see their doctor or therapist to help mitigate the recurrence of the illness.

Understanding A New Mother’s Postpartum Depression  

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Article by Monch Bravante







After childbirth, some new mothers experience a form of depression called postpartum depression. This is something new mothers are not prepared for. While childbirth classes have become very popular these days, discussions are limited to the mother’s physical recovery and baby care instructions.It is important that new mothers are prepared for the emotional roller coaster that comes with postpartum depression. Statistics show that 80% of new mothers tend to have postpartum blues, the symptoms of which usually begin two days after giving birth due to the fluctuation and adjustment of pregnancy hormones in meeting the new baby’s constant demands. Other forms of postpartum anxiety disorders are GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and panic disorders. Some new mothers may experience excessive worry or anxiety, repetitive compulsions, or extreme anxiety with chest pains, dizziness, sweating, and many other symptoms. Attacks usually happen early in the morning with chest and stomach pain, followed by emotions of concern and despair for the baby.Most symptoms are characterized by mood swings and fatigue. And the best way to manage them is for the new mother to take enough rest. Sleep is essential for both physical and mental recovery. In addition to sleep and rest, it is necessary that new mothers be given a nutritional diet, plenty of fluids and enough daily exercise, such as walking. Support groups can be a great way for new mothers to share their experiences and be aware of other mothers who also have postpartum blues. Usually, mothers with postpartum blues do not need medication, but can get relief from other forms of therapy such as acupuncture. Postpartum symptoms generally resolves in about two to three weeks after birth. Though it can be considered that almost all mothers will experience at least the mildest form of postpartum depressions, these disorders are treatable.



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For more information about depression disorder articles, check out prozac fluoxetine

How to Help Someone with Depression – Understanding the Illness  

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Article by Rich Magnanti







Depending on how often you interact with someone, recognizing the symptoms of depression is the first step. Obviously if you are around someone all the time who is depressed it is easier to recognize the red flags. It is much more challenging to recognize a casual friend who is depressed. The key with a casual acquaintance is knowledge of the illness. While the depressed individual might avoid you and not want your help, you need to be there to help that person with their depression.

People suffering from depression actually have a chemical imbalance that alters their mood. It will not get better until it is treated by a Medical Specialist. Of course the worse case scenario, if left untreated, could be suicide. So you need to be the person that helps.

If you have a feeling that a loved one is depressed, you need to be available to them. While being around someone who is suffering from depression isn’t easy at times, you still need to be there. Since not a lot of people are experts with the illness, it isn’t always though of as a disease. Many people’s first thought is “Get over it” or “It’s all in your head” when dealing with a depressed individual. While this is sometimes the case, depression could be another reason.

As stated earlier, depression is a disease that left untreated, will just get worse over time. The illness may even require emergency medical treatment if the person is suicidal. Never take a suicide gesture as not being important. You need to seek medical treatment right away.

To help someone with depression, you must first spend time with them. Be supportive and reinforce that you are there for them. They may be reluctant to take your offer of help at first but you should be persistent. Hopefully they will get better but if after a week they are still depressed, you might need to get professional help. Just remember, the first sign or thought of suicide, get medical help immediately.



About the Author

Rich Magnanti and is an Internet Marketer how specializes in help products. You can visit him at www.howtohelpsomeonewithdepression.com.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Codes – 18 Codes Demystified

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You might have noticed that your physician keeps making notes when you go for consultation. While these notes are anyways not easily understood by the patient and the guardians, when it comes to the mental ailments, the codes are rather confusing.

The psychiatrists usually scribble some pre-defined codes in their records. Once you understand these codes, you and your caregiver would always better understand the current scenario and would be able to gauge through the pertinent actions that you can take up. These codes help you understand the ailment better and fight it back more effectively. Also the caregivers can draft a better way to take care of their patients suffering with Bipolar Disorders.

Usually in case of the mental disorders, the codes are unanimously arranged by the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). So, ‘DSM’ is the code used by the psychiatrists and other experts for all mental disorders.

When it comes to Bipolar Disorder, there are 3 important types of codes:
i. For the mood disorders
ii. For the substance influenced mood disorders
iii. Extensions of psychotic features

Mood Disorder Codes

There are varied code categories that fall under the term – codes for mood disorders. These are as follows:

1. 296.0x (F30.x)

When the patient undergoes one ‘manic episode.’ The patient has no history regarding major depressive episodes.

2. 296.40 (F31.0)

When a patient suffering with bipolar disorder experiences a ‘hypomanic episode’ and he/she had atleast 1 incident of manic and/or mixed episode.

3. 296.4x (F31.x)

The patients suffering with a current manic episode and have undergone a major manic, depressive and/or mixed episodes.

4. 296.6x (F31.6)

A patient suffering with Bipolar I Disorder and has often mixed episodes. Such patients must also have experienced some major manic, depressive, and/or mixed episodes.

5. 296.5x (F31.x)

A patient undergoing major depressive episodes and he/she has a history featuring manic and/or mixed episodes.

6. 296.7 (F31.9)
This code is given to the patients experiencing any of the episodes mentioned here:
manic, mixed, hypomanic and/or major depressive episodes. Alongside there is a criteria that the patient must have suffered from atleast 1 mixed and/or manic episode.

7. 296.89 (F31.8)

This code is given to a patient of Bipolar II Disorder who is either hypomanic or depressed. Another important criteria is that the patient must have gone through more than one attacks of major depressive episode and/or atleast 1 episode of hypomania. One important point to be noticed here is that there is no attack of manic and/or mixed episode.

Substance Induced Mood Disorder Codes

These codes are a must to be understood for the patients and there caregivers as the substance-induced mood disorder if not known, can cause major harm to the patients. These are triggers that control the patients’ temper so the preventive measures are a must. The measurable substances that can heighten mood disorders have been given a code by the mental health experts. While some are given as follows, for further information you can check the World Wide Web or the internet:

1. 291.8 (F10.8)

The doctors explain that patients whose mood disorders stimulate with the intake of alcohol fall under this code.

2. 292.84 (F14.8)

The cases of ingestion of cocaine fall under this code.

3. 292.84 (F18.8)

When inhalants arouse mood disorders this code is referred.

4. 292.84 (F13.8)

In case the sedatives stir up the patient’s mood disorder this code is referred.

Psychotic Features’ Code Extensions

These codes are primarily divided in to 2 major categories:
i. Severe with out psychotic episodes
ii. Severe with the psychotic episodes

Some of the codes are as follows:

1. 296.43 (F31.1)

A Bipolar I Disorder patient with most current manic episodes, severe with out psychotic episodes.

2. 296.44 (F31.2)

This code refers to the Bipolar I Disorder patients, severe with psychotic episodes.

3. 296.63

The patients having severe disorder with out psychotic episodes and suffering with Bipolar I Disorder and have experienced a current mixed episode.

5. 296.64

This code is referred to the patients having severe disorder and facing psychotic episodes.

6. 296.53 (F31.4)

The Bipolar I Disorder patients having lot of depressed episodes are referred with this code.

7. 296.54 (F31.5)

The Bipolar I Disorder patients having severe disorder with no psychotic episodes are referred with this code.