HealthLinks Upstate May/June 2022

18 | www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com Krozer cited the analogy of faulty wiring in a house, which isn’t going to work properly until you correct the problem. “Unless you fix it, it won’t go away,” he said. Krozer recommended that if you suspect a family member or loved one may be bipolar, bring the person to see a mental health specialist such as a doctor specializing in mental illness or a nurse practitioner. He further suggested people taking mental health medication who “feel off” should consider seeing a specialist to determine if they have bipolar disorder. If there has been a misdiagnosis and a person is being treated with antidepressants, the medication can “produce an outcome opposite of the intention or a suboptimal outcome,” he said. “People naturally have highs and lows,” Krozer added. “It’s when it gets to extreme levels that it impacts quality of life and social functioning.” At iTrust Wellness Group, providers are trained to screen for physical, hormonal, electrical and chemical issues. “We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health,” he asserted. The National Alliance on Mental Illness serves as a helpful resource for information on bipolar disorder and offers online screening tools, according to Krozer. He also qualified that bipolar disorder is not necessarily a bad diagnosis, pointing out that an elevated mood can allow a person to accomplish more during these episodes of mania than they typically would. “Some of the most productive people are diagnosed with bipolar disease,” stated Krozer, referencing billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk as one prominent example. “It’s kind of a superpower in some ways. But it could be detrimental if you don’t get the right treatment.” This is because every time someone with bipolar experiences symptoms, it can inflict damage to the brain over time. However, as long as bipolar disorder is properly managed, an individual with the condition can find balance and function in society. “Early intervention and treatment are key,” Krozer said. “We’re trying to promote getting effective and timely care so we can optimize the function of their brain.” BIPOLAR DISORDER By the Numbers The average age-of-onset for bipolar disorder is 25. On average, bipolar disorder results in a 9.2-YEAR reduction in expected life span. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.6% of people living in the United States annually. Bipolar disorder affects 45 MILLION people worldwide. ONE IN 20 American adults experienced a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression in 2020. Sources: CDC, World Health Organization, National Institutes of Mental Health and National Alliance on Mental Illness. Prevalence of bipolar disorder is highest among people in the 18 TO 29 demographic – 4.7% – followed by the 30 TO 44 age range at 3.5%.

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