Bipolar disorder is one of the most common mental problems in Thailand, according to a doctor at Srithanya Hospital.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the illness.
Bipolar disorder is the third most common mental illness among Thais, after schizophrenia and depression, Srithanya Hospital's chief Sirisak Thitidilokrat told a recent seminar held to mark World Bipolar Day.
SUICIDE RISK
About 117,000 patients had received treatment for mental illness from his hospital last year, mostly from Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Sirisak said. Among them, about 9,100 patients had received treatment for bipolar disorder, he said.
The hospital's deputy chief Santichai Chamjitchuen said people with bipolar disorder often have periods of mania and depression. During manic episodes, patients tend to talk a lot and speak rapidly while many of them develop aggressive behaviour.
"During depressive episodes, they feel sad. Suicide attempts are common during such episodes," he explained.
CHEMICAL IMBALANCE
Bipolar syndrome is common in people aged between 20 and 30, Dr Santichai said.
Patients with bipolar syndrome have an imbalance of chemicals in their brains, said Pongkasem Kaimuk, deputy director-general of the Department of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health.
But bipolar syndrome is treatable, Dr Santichai said, adding that medication can help restore the balance of chemicals in the patient's brain. Continued medical treatment can allow patients to lead productive lives, the doctor said. However, severe cases require brain stimulation therapy to treat the illness. But the chances of a recurrence of the symptoms is high, at 80 to 90 percent, he added.
TRIGGER FACTORS
If left untreated, bipolar disorder tends to worsen over time, Dr Santichai said. Coffee, alcohol and energy drinks can trigger the symptoms, as can a lack of sleep and stress.
Jumpon Tanta-opas, president of a medical service committee for bipolar patients, said patients require close care in addition to medical treatment to help them lead normal lives.
EXERCISES
Read through the story and decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Dr Santichai said bipolar syndrome isn't treatable. ………….
2. Energy drinks can trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder. ………….
3. Sirisak Thitidilokrat is Srithanya Hospital's chief. ………….
4. Sirisak said about 117,000 patients have received treatment
for mental illness from his hospital this year. ………….
ANSWERS
EXERCISES
1. False.
2. True.
3. True.
4. False.
bipolar disorder (n): a mental illness causing somebody to change suddenly from being extremely depressed to being extremely happy
schizophrenia (n): a mental illness in which a person becomes unable to link thought, emotion and behaviour, leading to withdrawal from reality and personal relationships
manic (n): connected with a mental illness in which somebody has an obsession about something that makes them extremely anxious, violent or confused
