Rabu, 25 September 2013

APAKAH DWIBIPOLAR DISORDER ?

Penyakit Gangguan Perasaan Dwipolar (Bipolar Mood Disorder). Anda Sedarkah?

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Diberi peluang untuk menjalankan program elektif di Jabatan Psikiatri di Hospital Seremban benar-benar menambahkan semangat saya untuk menjadi Pakar Psikiatri suatu hari nanti. Program elektif ini adalah berkisarkan penyakit Bipolar Mood Disorder yang mana saya juga pada awalnya tidak tahu langsung mengenainya. Oleh itu, kali ini saya berasa terpanggil untuk menulis info mengenainya.
Latarbelakang
Kebanyakan pesakit dibawa berjumpa doktor adalah kerana aduan menganggu jiran, tindakan agresif dan juga cubaan membunuh diri. Pesakit biasanya akan dimasukkan ke wad untuk pemerhatian dan rawatan jika keluarga mereka sendiri tidak tahu apa untuk dilakukan.
Apa itu Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder adalah satu penyakit psikiatri yang melibatkan gangguan perasaan. ‘Bi’ bermaksud ‘dua’ dan ‘pole’ bermaksud kutub. Ini membawa maksud dalam penyakit ini, perasaan seseorang boleh berada dalam dua ‘kutub’ yang berbeza pada tahap yang ekstrem atau keterlaluan. Pesakit boleh menjadi TERLALU MURUNG sehingga ingin membunuh diri atau TERLALU GEMBIRA sehingga sanggup melakukan apa sahaja
Apakah kekerapan penyakit Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder dialami oleh 3 hingga 6 peratus dari kalangan lelaki dan perempuan dewasa.
Apakah tanda-tanda Bipolar Disorder?
a) Mania
  • Merasa sangat gembira
  • Banyak melakukan aktiviti lebih dari biasa
  • Sangat bertenaga
  • Kurang keperluan untuk tidur
  • Banyak idea
  • Melakukan perkara yang berisiko seperti memandu laju
  • Berbelanja besar dan menghabiskan wang yang banyak
b) Hypomania
  • Gejala hampir serupa dengan mania tetapi tidak teruk
c) Kemurungan
  • Meraa sangat cedí
  • Tiada minat untuk melakukan perkaa yang biasanya digemari
  • Gangguan tidur
  • Gangguan selera makan
  • Gangguan tumpuan
  • Merasa diri tidak berguna atau merasa bersalah yang keterlaluan
  • Keinginan untuk mati atau membunuh diri
*Di antara episod-episod di atas, pengidap bipolar boleh kembali normal. Walaubagaimanapun, episod tersebut boleh berulang (‘relapse’)
Apakah rawatan untuk Bipolar Disorder?
  • Pesakit memerlukan rawatan untuk menstabilkan perasaan mereka. Rawatan ini dipanggil ‘mood stabilizer’ atau ‘penstabil perasaan’.
  • Contoh ubat yang digunakan ialah : Lithium, Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine dan Lamotrigine
  • Pesakit juga boleh dirawat dengan ubat antipsikotik terutamanya untuk episod mania. Antikemurungan mungkin diperlukan semasa episod kemurungan
*Walaupun pesakit telah kembali normal, adalah amat pentin meneruskan rawatan ‘penstabil perasaan’ dan rawatan lain yang disyorkan oleh doktor untuk memastikan episod mania atau kemurungan tidak mudah berulang
Apakah nasihat penting untuk pesakit Bipolar Disorder?
  • Amalkan tidur yang teratur
  • Amalkan aktiviti harian yang tetap
  • Elakkan daripada dadah dan alkohol
  • Dapatkan sokongan keluarga dan rakan
  • Tangani tekanan dalam hidup
  • Kenal pasti tanda-tanda awal relapse seperti perumahan awal lepada perasaan, bidur, tenaga, semangat dan keyakinan. Selalunya perumahan bidur adalah gejala yang mudah dikenalpasti

BIPOLAR DISORDER

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Causes

Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most scientists agree that there is no single cause. Rather, many factors likely act together to produce the illness or increase risk.
Genetics
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Some research has suggested that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of bipolar disorder. However, most children with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.
Technological advances are improving genetic research on bipolar disorder. One example is the launch of the Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database, funded in part by NIMH. Using the database, scientists will be able to link visible signs of the disorder with the genes that may influence them.
Scientists are also studying illnesses with similar symptoms such as depression and schizophrenia to identify genetic differences that may increase a person's risk for developing bipolar disorder. Finding these genetic "hotspots" may also help explain how environmental factors can increase a person's risk.
But genes are not the only risk factor for bipolar disorder. Studies of identical twins have shown that the twin of a person with bipolar illness does not always develop the disorder, despite the fact that identical twins share all of the same genes. Research suggests that factors besides genes are also at work. It is likely that many different genes and environmental factors are involved. However, scientists do not yet fully understand how these factors interact to cause bipolar disorder.
Brain structure and functioning
Brain-imaging tools, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), allow researchers to take pictures of the living brain at work. These tools help scientists study the brain's structure and activity.
Some imaging studies show how the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy people or people with other mental disorders. For example, one study using MRI found that the pattern of brain development in children with bipolar disorder was similar to that in children with "multi-dimensional impairment," a disorder that causes symptoms that overlap somewhat with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This suggests that the common pattern of brain development may be linked to general risk for unstable moods.
Another MRI study found that the brain's prefrontal cortex in adults with bipolar disorder tends to be smaller and function less well compared to adults who don't have bipolar disorder. The prefrontal cortex is a brain structure involved in "executive" functions such as solving problems and making decisions. This structure and its connections to other parts of the brain mature during adolescence, suggesting that abnormal development of this brain circuit may account for why the disorder tends to emerge during a person's teen years. Pinpointing brain changes in youth may help us detect illness early or offer targets for early intervention.
The connections between brain regions are important for shaping and coordinating functions such as forming memories, learning, and emotions, but scientists know little about how different parts of the human brain connect. Learning more about these connections, along with information gained from genetic studies, helps scientists better understand bipolar disorder. Scientists are working towards being able to predict which types of treatment will work most effectively.

Signs & Symptoms

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." Each mood episode represents a drastic change from a person’s usual mood and behavior. An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.
Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are described below.

Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:
Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
Mood Changes
  • A long period of feeling "high," or an overly happy or outgoing mood
  • Extreme irritability
Behavioral Changes
  • Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts
  • Being easily distracted
  • Increasing activities, such as taking on new projects
  • Being overly restless
  • Sleeping little or not being tired
  • Having an unrealistic belief in one's abilities
  • Behaving impulsively and engaging in pleasurable, high-risk behaviors
Mood Changes
  • An overly long period of feeling sad or hopeless
  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.
Behavioral Changes
  • Feeling tired or "slowed down"
  • Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
  • Being restless or irritable
  • Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
  • Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide.

Bipolar disorder can be present even when mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, you may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. You may not feel that anything is wrong, but family and friends may recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression.
Bipolar disorder may also be present in a mixed state, in which you might experience both mania and depression at the same time. During a mixed state, you might feel very agitated, have trouble sleeping, experience major changes in appetite, and have suicidal thoughts. People in a mixed state may feel very sad or hopeless while at the same time feel extremely energized.
Sometimes, a person with severe episodes of mania or depression has psychotic symptoms too, such as hallucinations or delusions. The psychotic symptoms tend to reflect the person's extreme mood. For example, if you are having psychotic symptoms during a manic episode, you may believe you are a famous person, have a lot of money, or have special powers. If you are having psychotic symptoms during a depressive episode, you may believe you are ruined and penniless, or you have committed a crime. As a result, people with bipolar disorder who have psychotic symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed with schizophrenia.
People with bipolar disorder may also abuse alcohol or substances, have relationship problems, or perform poorly in school or at work. It may be difficult to recognize these problems as signs of a major mental illness.
Bipolar disorder usually lasts a lifetime. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms, but some people may have lingering symptoms.

Who Is At Risk?

Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years. At least half of all cases start before age 25. Some people have their first symptoms during childhood, while others may develop symptoms late in life.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose bipolar disorder using guidelines from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the symptoms must be a major change from your normal mood or behavior. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder:
  1. Bipolar I Disorder—defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks.
  2. Bipolar II Disorder—defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.
  3. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS)—diagnosed when symptoms of the illness exist but do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar I or II. However, the symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior.
  4. Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia—a mild form of bipolar disorder. People with cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania as well as mild depression for at least 2 years. However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar disorder.
A severe form of the disorder is called Rapid-cycling Bipolar Disorder. Rapid cycling occurs when a person has four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or mixed states, all within a year. Rapid cycling seems to be more common in people who have their first bipolar episode at a younger age. One study found that people with rapid cycling had their first episode about 4 years earlier—during the mid to late teen years—than people without rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Rapid cycling affects more women than men. Rapid cycling can come and go.
When getting a diagnosis, a doctor or health care provider should conduct a physical examination, an interview, and lab tests. Currently, bipolar disorder cannot be identified through a blood test or a brain scan, but these tests can help rule out other factors that may contribute to mood problems, such as a stroke, brain tumor, or thyroid condition. If the problems are not caused by other illnesses, your health care provider may conduct a mental health evaluation or provide a referral to a trained mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, who is experienced in diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder.
The doctor or mental health professional should discuss with you any family history of bipolar disorder or other mental illnesses and get a complete history of symptoms. The doctor or mental health professional should also talk to your close relatives or spouse about your symptoms and family medical history.
People with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek help when they are depressed than when experiencing mania or hypomania. Therefore, a careful medical history is needed to assure that bipolar disorder is not mistakenly diagnosed as major depression. Unlike people with bipolar disorder, people who have depression only (also called unipolar depression) do not experience mania.
Bipolar disorder can worsen if left undiagnosed and untreated. Episodes may become more frequent or more severe over time without treatment. Also, delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can contribute to personal, social, and work-related problems. Proper diagnosis and treatment help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. In most cases, treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.
Substance abuse is very common among people with bipolar disorder, but the reasons for this link are unclear. Some people with bipolar disorder may try to treat their symptoms with alcohol or drugs. However, substance abuse may trigger or prolong bipolar symptoms, and the behavioral control problems associated with mania can result in a person drinking too much.
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, also co-occur often among people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder also co-occurs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has some symptoms that overlap with bipolar disorder, such as restlessness and being easily distracted.
People with bipolar disorder are also at higher risk for thyroid disease, migraine headaches, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other physical illnesses. These illnesses may cause symptoms of mania or depression. They may also result from treatment for bipolar disorder.

Treatments

Bipolar disorder cannot be cured, but it can be treated effectively over the long-term. Proper treatment helps many people with bipolar disorder—even those with the most severe forms of the illness—gain better control of their mood swings and related symptoms. But because it is a lifelong illness, long-term, continuous treatment is needed to control symptoms. However, even with proper treatment, mood changes can occur. In the NIMH-funded Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) study—the largest treatment study ever conducted for bipolar disorder—almost half of those who recovered still had lingering symptoms. Having another mental disorder in addition to bipolar disorder increased one's chances for a relapse. See STEP-BD for more information.
Treatment is more effective if you work closely with a doctor and talk openly about your concerns and choices. An effective maintenance treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Medications
Different types of medications can help control symptoms of bipolar disorder. Not everyone responds to medications in the same way. You may need to try several different medications before finding ones that work best for you.
Keeping a daily life chart that makes note of your daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events can help you and your doctor track and treat your illness most effectively. If your symptoms change or if side effects become intolerable, your doctor may switch or add medications.
The types of medications generally used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and antidepressants. For the most up-to-date information on medication use and their side effects, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Mood stabilizers are usually the first choice to treat bipolar disorder. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for years. Lithium (also known as Eskalith or Lithobid) is an effective mood stabilizer. It was the first mood stabilizer approved by the FDA in the 1970's for treating both manic and depressive episodes.
Anticonvulsants are also used as mood stabilizers. They were originally developed to treat seizures, but they also help control moods. Anticonvulsants used as mood stabilizers include:
  • Valproic acid or divalproex sodium (Depakote), approved by the FDA in 1995 for treating mania. It is a popular alternative to lithium. However, young women taking valproic acid face special precautions.
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal), FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. It is often effective in treating depressive symptoms.
  • Other anticonvulsant medications, including gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal).
Valproic acid, lamotrigine, and other anticonvulsant medications have an FDA warning. The warning states that their use may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. People taking anticonvulsant medications for bipolar or other illnesses should be monitored closely for new or worsening symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. If you take any of these medications, do not make any changes to your dosage without talking to your doctor.
What are the side effects of mood stabilizers?
Lithium can cause side effects such as:
  • Restlessness
  • Dry mouth
  • Bloating or indigestion
  • Acne
  • Unusual discomfort to cold temperatures
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Brittle nails or hair.
When taking lithium, your doctor should check the levels of lithium in your blood regularly, and will monitor your kidney and thyroid function as well. Lithium treatment may cause low thyroid levels in some people. Low thyroid function, called hypothyroidism, has been associated with rapid cycling in some people with bipolar disorder, especially women.
Because too much or too little thyroid hormone can lead to mood and energy changes, it is important that your doctor check your thyroid levels carefully. You may need to take thyroid medication, in addition to medications for bipolar disorder, to keep thyroid levels balanced.
Common side effects of other mood stabilizing medications include:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Mood swings
  • Stuffed or runny nose, or other cold-like symptoms.
These medications may also be linked with rare but serious side effects. Talk with your doctor or a pharmacist to make sure you understand signs of serious side effects for the medications you're taking. If extremely bothersome or unusual side effects occur, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Should young women take valproic acid?
Valproic acid may increase levels of testosterone (a male hormone) in teenage girls. It could lead to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women who begin taking the medication before age 20. PCOS can cause obesity, excess body hair, an irregular menstrual cycle, and other serious symptoms. Most of these symptoms will improve after stopping treatment with valproic acid. Young girls and women taking valproic acid should be monitored carefully by a doctor.
Atypical antipsychotics are sometimes used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder. Often, these medications are taken with other medications, such as antidepressants. Atypical antipsychotics include:
  • Olanzapine (Zyprexa), which when given with an antidepressant medication, may help relieve symptoms of severe mania or psychosis. Olanzapine can be taken as a pill or a shot. The shot is often used for urgent treatment of agitation associated with a manic or mixed episode. Olanzapine can be used as maintenance treatment as well, even when psychotic symptoms are not currently present.
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify), which is used to treat manic or mixed episodes. Aripiprazole is also used for maintenance treatment. Like olanzapine, aripiprazole can be taken as a pill or a shot. The shot is often used for urgent treatment of severe symptoms.
  • Quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal) and ziprasidone (Geodon) also are prescribed to relieve the symptoms of manic episodes.
What are the side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
If you are taking antipsychotics, you should not drive until you have adjusted to your medication. Side effects of many antipsychotics include:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness when changing positions
  • Blurred vision
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Sensitivity to the sun
  • Skin rashes
  • Menstrual problems for women.
Atypical antipsychotic medications can cause major weight gain and changes in your metabolism. This may increase your risk of getting diabetes and high cholesterol. Your doctor should monitor your weight, glucose levels, and lipid levels regularly while you are taking these medications.
In rare cases, long-term use of atypical antipsychotic drugs may lead to a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). The condition causes uncontrollable muscle movements, frequently around the mouth. TD can range from mild to severe. Some people with TD recover partially or fully after they stop taking the drug, but others do not.
Antidepressants are sometimes used to treat symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder. Fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) are examples of antidepressants that may be prescribed to treat symptoms of bipolar depression.
However, taking only an antidepressant can increase your risk of switching to mania or hypomania, or of developing rapid-cycling symptoms. To prevent this switch, doctors usually require you to take a mood-stabilizing medication at the same time as an antidepressant.
What are the side effects of antidepressants?
Antidepressants can cause:
  • Headache
  • Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
  • Agitation (feeling jittery)
  • Sexual problems, which can affect both men and women. These include reduced sex drive and problems having and enjoying sex.
Report any concerns about side effects to your doctor right away. You may need a change in the dose or a different medication. You should not stop taking a medication without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping a medication may lead to "rebound" or worsening of bipolar disorder symptoms. Other uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal effects are also possible.
Some antidepressants are more likely to cause certain side effects than other types. Your doctor or pharmacist can answer questions about these medications. Any unusual reactions or side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Should women who are pregnant or may become pregnant take medication for bipolar disorder?
Women with bipolar disorder who are pregnant or may become pregnant face special challenges. Mood stabilizing medications can harm a developing fetus or nursing infant. But stopping medications, either suddenly or gradually, greatly increases the risk that bipolar symptoms will recur during pregnancy.
Lithium is generally the preferred mood-stabilizing medication for pregnant women with bipolar disorder. However, lithium can lead to heart problems in the fetus. In addition, women need to know that most bipolar medications are passed on through breast milk. The FDA has also issued warnings about the potential risks associated with the use of antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of all available treatments.
FDA Warning on Antidepressants
Antidepressants are safe and popular, but some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially in adolescents and young adults. The FDA warning says that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are depression that gets worse, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as trouble sleeping, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. For the latest information, see the FDA website.
Psychotherapy
When done in combination with medication, psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It can provide support, education, and guidance to people with bipolar disorder and their families. Some psychotherapy treatments used to treat bipolar disorder include:
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people with bipolar disorder learn to change harmful or negative thought patterns and behaviors.
  • Family-focused therapy, which involves family members. It helps enhance family coping strategies, such as recognizing new episodes early and helping their loved one. This therapy also improves communication among family members, as well as problem-solving.
  • Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, which helps people with bipolar disorder improve their relationships with others and manage their daily routines. Regular daily routines and sleep schedules may help protect against manic episodes.
  • Psychoeducation, which teaches people with bipolar disorder about the illness and its treatment. Psychoeducation can help you recognize signs of an impending mood swing so you can seek treatment early, before a full-blown episode occurs. Usually done in a group, psychoeducation may also be helpful for family members and caregivers.
In a STEP-BD study on psychotherapies, researchers compared people in two groups. The first group was treated with collaborative care (three sessions of psychoeducation over 6 weeks). The second group was treated with medication and intensive psychotherapy (30 sessions over 9 months of CBT, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, or family-focused therapy). Researchers found that the second group had fewer relapses, lower hospitalization rates, and were better able to stick with their treatment plans. They were also more likely to get well faster and stay well longer. Overall, more than half of the study participants recovered over the course of 1 year.
A licensed psychologist, social worker, or counselor typically provides psychotherapy. He or she should work with your psychiatrist to track your progress. The number, frequency, and type of sessions should be based on your individual treatment needs. As with medication, following the doctor's instructions for any psychotherapy will provide the greatest benefit.
Visit the NIMH website for more information on psychotherapy.
Other treatments
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)—For cases in which medication and psychotherapy do not work, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be useful. ECT, formerly known as "shock therapy," once had a bad reputation. But in recent years, it has greatly improved and can provide relief for people with severe bipolar disorder who have not been able to recover with other treatments.
Before ECT is administered, a patient takes a muscle relaxant and is put under brief anesthesia. He or she does not consciously feel the electrical impulse administered in ECT. On average, ECT treatments last from 30–90 seconds. People who have ECT usually recover after 5–15 minutes and are able to go home the same day.
Sometimes ECT is used for bipolar symptoms when other medical conditions, including pregnancy, make the use of medications too risky. ECT is a highly effective treatment for severely depressive, manic, or mixed episodes. But it is generally not used as a first-line treatment.
ECT may cause some short-term side effects, including confusion, disorientation, and memory loss. People with bipolar disorder should discuss possible benefits and risks of ECT with an experienced doctor.
Sleep Medications—People with bipolar disorder who have trouble sleeping usually sleep better after getting treatment for bipolar disorder. However, if sleeplessness does not improve, your doctor may suggest a change in medications. If the problems still continue, your doctor may prescribe sedatives or other sleep medications.
Herbal Supplements—In general, not much research has been conducted on herbal or natural supplements and how they may affect bipolar disorder. An herb called St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), often marketed as a natural antidepressant, may cause a switch to mania in some people with bipolar disorder. St. John's wort can also make other medications less effective, including some antidepressant and anticonvulsant medications. Scientists are also researching omega-3 fatty acids (most commonly found in fish oil) to measure their usefulness for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder. Study results have been mixed.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you are taking. Certain medications and supplements taken together may cause unwanted or dangerous effects.
What research is NIMH doing to improve treatments for bipolar disorder?
Scientists are working to identify new targets for improving current medications or developing new treatments for bipolar disorder. In addition, NIMH researchers have made promising advances toward finding fast-acting medication treatment. In a small study of people with bipolar disorder whose symptoms had not responded to prior treatments, a single dose of ketamine—an anesthetic medication—significantly reduced symptoms of depression in as little as 40 minutes. These effects lasted about a week on average.
Ketamine itself is unlikely to become widely available as a treatment because it can cause serious side effects at high doses, such as hallucinations. However, scientists are working to understand how the drug works on the brain in an effort to develop treatments with fewer side effects and that act similarly to ketamine. Such medications could also be used for longer term management of symptoms.
In addition, NIMH is working to better understand bipolar disorder and other mental disorders by spearheading the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Project, which is an ongoing effort to map our current understanding of the brain circuitry that is involved in behavioral and cognitive functioning. By essentially breaking down mental disorders into their component pieces—RDoC aims to add to the knowledge we have gained from more traditional research approaches that focus solely on understanding mental disorders based on symptoms. The hope is that by changing the way we approach mental disorders, RDoC will help us open the door to new targets of preventive and treatment interventions.

Living With

If you know someone who has bipolar disorder, it affects you too. The first and most important thing you can do is help him or her get the right diagnosis and treatment. You may need to make the appointment and go with him or her to see the doctor. Encourage your loved one to stay in treatment.
To help a friend or relative, you can:
  • Offer emotional support, understanding, patience, and encouragement
  • Learn about bipolar disorder so you can understand what your friend or relative is experiencing
  • Talk to your friend or relative and listen carefully
  • Listen to feelings your friend or relative expresses and be understanding about situations that may trigger bipolar symptoms
  • Invite your friend or relative out for positive distractions, such as walks, outings, and other activities
  • Remind your friend or relative that, with time and treatment, he or she can get better.
Never ignore comments from your friend or relative about harming himself or herself. Always report such comments to his or her therapist or doctor.
How can caregivers find support?
Like other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can be difficult for spouses, family members, friends, and other caregivers. Relatives and friends often have to cope with the person's serious behavioral problems, such as wild spending sprees during mania, extreme withdrawal during depression, or poor work or school performance. These behaviors can have lasting consequences.
Caregivers usually take care of the medical needs of their loved ones. But caregivers have to deal with how this affects their own health as well. Caregivers' stress may lead to missed work or lost free time, strained relationships with people who may not understand the situation, and physical and mental exhaustion.
It can be very hard to cope with a loved one's bipolar symptoms. One study shows that if a caregiver is under a lot of stress, his or her loved one has more trouble following the treatment plan, which increases the chance for a major bipolar episode. If you are a caregiver of someone with bipolar disorder, it is important that you also make time to take care of yourself.
How can I help myself if I have bipolar disorder?
It may be very hard to take that first step to help yourself. It may take time, but you can get better with treatment. To help yourself:
  • Talk to your doctor about treatment options and progress.
  • Keep a regular routine, such as going to sleep at the same time every night and eating meals at the same time every day.
  • Try hard to get enough sleep.
  • Stay on your medication.
  • Learn about warning signs signaling a shift into depression or mania.
  • Expect your symptoms to improve gradually, not immediately.
Where can I go for help?
If you are unsure where to go for help, ask your family doctor. Others who can help are listed below.
  • Mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors
  • Health maintenance organizations
  • Community mental health centers
  • Hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics
  • Mental health programs at universities or medical schools
  • State hospital outpatient clinics
  • Family services, social agencies, or clergy
  • Peer support groups
  • Private clinics and facilities
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Local medical and/or psychiatric societies.
You can also check the phone book under "mental health," "health," "social services," "hotlines," or "physicians" for phone numbers and addresses. An emergency room doctor can also provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help.
What if I or someone I know is in crisis?
If you are thinking about harming yourself, or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately.
  • Call your doctor.
  • Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor.
Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.

Clinical Trials

NIMH supports research studies on mental health and disorders. See also: A Participant's Guide to Mental Health Clinical Research.
Participate, refer a patient or learn about results of studies inClinicalTrials.gov, the NIH/National Library of Medicine's registry of federally and privately funded clinical trials for all disease.
Find NIH-funded studies currently recruiting participants with bipolar disorder.

Ahad, 15 September 2013

Psychopath

Psikopat




Pengertian


Psikopat secara harfiah berarti sakit jiwa. Pengidapnya juga sering disebut sebagai Sosiopat karena prilakunya yang antisosial dan merugikan orang-orang terdekatnya.

Psikopat berasal dari kata psyche yang berarti jiwa dan pathos yang berarti penyakit. Psikopat tak sama dengan gila (skizofrenia/psikosis) karena seorang psikopat sadar sepenuhnya atas perbuatannya. Gejalanya sendiri sering disebut dengan psikopati, pengidapnya seringkali disebut "orang gila tanpa gangguan mental". Menurut penelitian sekitar 1% dari total populasi dunia mengidap psikopati. Pengidap ini sulit dideteksi karena sebanyak 80% lebih banyak yang berkeliaran daripada yang mendekam di penjara atau dirumah sakit jiwa, pengidapnya juga sukar disembuhkan.

Psikopat adalah gejala kelainan kepribadian yang sejak dulu dianggap berbahaya dan mengganggu masyarakat. Namun demikian orang-orang psikopat bila dilihat sepintas memiliki sifat baik hati dan disukai tetapi sebetulnya dibalik itu semua mereka sangat merugikan masyarakat. Orang-orang seperti inilah yang oleh para banyak ahli disebut sebagai psikopat (jiwa [psyche] yang menderita kelainan [patologik]).

Banyak istilah atau pengertian yang disampaikan banyak ahli tentang psikopat, namun menurut terminologi ilmu kedokteran jiwa psikopat disebut sebagai gangguan kepribadian antisosial yang secara umum memiliki karakterisik perilaku antara lain egois, menghalalkan segala cara untuk mencapai tujuan, tidak mempedulikan dampak perilakunya terhadap orang lain, menikmati dan tidak memiliki rasa penyesalan (guilty feeling) dari penderitaan orang lain akibat perbuatannya.


Faktor penyebab
Apa penyebab psikopat? Belum jelas benar hingga kini. Tapi hipotesis yang diajukan Hare menduga psikopat terjadi akibat kelainan fungsi otak. Ini didasarkan pengalaman Hare saat memeriksa seorang pasien psikopat berusia 46 tahun bernama Al. Pada otak Al terbukti ditemukan kelainan. Al tidak dapat memisahkan stimulus yang bersifat rasional dari yang emosional. Semua stimulus diolah sekaligus oleh belahan otak kiri (pusat rasio) dan otak kanan (pusat emosi). Karena itu, menurut Hare, seorang psikopat tidak sekadar berbohong atau hipokrit, tapi juga ada sesuatu yang lebih serius, yakni ada kelainan di otaknya.

Dugaan adanya faktor biologis ini juga muncul dalam laporan Pridmore, Chambers dan McArthur pada 2005. Mereka melaporkan adanya hubungan antara gejala psikopat dengan kelainan sistem serotonin, kelainan struktural, dan kelainan fungsional pada otak. Temuan lain disampaikan pula oleh Litman setahun sebelumnya. Ia menyebutkan, penderita psikopat mengalami kelainan neurologik pada sindrom erotic violence. Pada 2003, Raine juga mengungkapkan ada kelainan Corpus collosum pada sosok psikopat.

Laporan lain soal penyebab psikopat diutarakan Kirkman (2002). Ia menyatakan, pengidap kepribadian psikopat memiliki latar belakang masa kecil yang tak memberi peluang untuk perkembangan emosinya secara optimal. Anak-anak salah asuh ini akan tumbuh menjadi orang-orang yang tak bisa berempati dan tak memiliki kata hati (consceince).



Gejala-gejala psikopat

1. Sering berbohong, fasih dan dangkal. Psikopat seringkali pandai melucu dan pintar bicara, secara khas berusaha tampil dengan pengetahuan di bidang sosiologi, psikiatri, kedokteran, psikologi, filsafat, puisi, sastra, dan lain-lain. Seringkali pandai mengarang cerita yang membuatnya positif, dan bila ketahuan berbohong mereka tak peduli dan akan menutupinya dengan mengarang kebohongan lainnya dan mengolahnya seakan-akan itu fakta.

2. Egosentris dan menganggap dirinya hebat.

3. Tidak punya rasa sesal dan rasa bersalah. Meski kadang psikopat mengakui perbuatannya namun ia sangat meremehkan atau menyangkal akibat tindakannya dan tidak memiliki alasan untuk peduli.

4. Senang melakukan pelanggaran dan bermasalah perilaku di masa kecil.

5. Sikap antisosial di usia dewasa.

6. Kurang empati. Bagi psikopat memotong kepala ayam dan memotong kepala orang, tidak ada bedanya.

7. Psikopat juga teguh dalam bertindak agresif, menantang nyali dan perkelahian, jam tidur larut dan sering keluar rumah.

8. Impulsif dan sulit mengendalikan diri. Untuk psikopat tidak ada waktu untuk menimbang baik-buruknya tindakan yang akan mereka lakukan dan mereka tidak peduli pada apa yang telah diperbuatnya atau memikirkan tentang masa depan. Pengidap juga mudah terpicu amarahnya akan hal-hal kecil, mudah bereaksi terhadap kekecewaan, kegagalan, kritik, dan mudah menyerang orang hanya karena hal sepele.

9. Tidak mampu bertanggung jawab dan melakukan hal-hal demi kesenangan belaka.

10. Manipulatif dan curang. Psikopat juga sering menunjukkan emosi dramatis walaupun sebenarnya mereka tidak sungguh-sungguh. Mereka juga tidak memiliki respon fisiologis yang secara normal diasosiasikan dengan rasa takut seperti tangan berkeringat, jantung berdebar, mulut kering, tegang, gemetar -- bagi psikopat hal ini tidak berlaku. Karena itu psikopat seringkali disebut dengan istilah "dingin".

11. Hidup sebagai parasit karena memanfaatkan orang lain untuk kesenangan dan kepuasan dirinya.


Jenis-jenis psikopat

Menurut Hervey Checkley, dalam bukunya The Mask of Sanity ( 1941 ), ada empat jenis psikopat :

1. Primary Psychopath yang bergeming pada hukuman, penahanan, tekanan, atau celaan. Mereka punya cara sendiri untuk memaknai kata dan kehidupan.

2. Secondary Psychopath adalah pengambil resiko, dan juga lebih tanggap terhadap tekanan, mudah cemas dan merasa bersalah.

3. Distempered Psychopath, cenderung mudah marah dan bila kumat, tingkah mereka mirip penderita epilepsi (ayan), cenderung jadi pecandu obat, kleptomania, pedofilia, bahkan bisa jadi pembunuh dan pemerkosa berantai.

4. Charismatic Psychopath adalah si pembohong yang menarik dan menawan, selalu dianugerahi bakat tertentu, tapi memanfaatkannya untuk memperdaya yang lain. Pemimpin agama sekte tertentu yang mendorong pengikutnya bunuh diri bisa jadi contoh.


Ed Gein 
1957, real psycho, inspirasi film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre salah satu contoh Distempered Psychopath.

Ciri-Ciri psikopat

1. Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.

2. Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."

3. Glibness and Superficial Charm
Speaking or spoken in a confident and persuasive way but without honesty or careful consideration.

4. Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.

5. Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.

6. Incapacity for Love

7. Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.

8. Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.

9. Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.


10. Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.

Prof. Hare dalam buku Without Conscience memberikan parameter psikopat (psychopathy Checklist) yang dapat digunakan untuk mengenali gejala-gejala penting psikopati. Emosional / hubungan antar pribadi.

Pengalaman Prof Hare sendiri membuktikan bahwa perawatan terhadap psikopat bukan saja tidak menyembuhkan, melainkan justru menambah parah gejalanya karena psikopat yang bersangkutan. Malah bisa semakin canggih memanipulasi perilakunya yang merugikan orang lain.

Utk menentukan psikopat/bkn, hrs melewati MRI, wawancara dengan metode DSM 4, wawancara intern personal dengan psikotest & memetakan kepribadian pasien dg kriteria Prof. RD.Hare.


Lima tahap mendiagnosis psikopat
1. Mencocokan kepribadian pasien dengan 20 kriteria yang ditetapkan Prof. Hare. Pencocokkan ini dilakukan dengan cara mewawancara keluarga dan orang-orang terdekat pasien, pengaduan korban, atau pengamatan prilaku pasien dari waktu ke waktu.

2. Memeriksa kesehatan otak dan tubuh lewan pemindaian menggunakan elektroensefalogram, MRI, dan pemeriksaan kesehatan secara lengkap. Hal ini dilakukan karena menurut penelitian gambar hasil PET (positron emission tomography) perbandingan orang normal, pembunuh spontan, dan pembunuh terencana berdarah dingin menunjukkan perbedaan aktivitas otak di bagian prefrontal cortex yang rendah. Bagian otak lobus frontal dipercaya sebagai bagian yang membentuk kepribadian.

3. Wawancara menggunakan metode DSM IV (The American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder versi IV) yang dianggap berhasil untuk menentukan kepribadian antisosial.

4. Memperhatikan gejala kepribadian pasien. Biasanya sejak usia pasien 15 tahun mulai menunjukkan tanda-tanda gangguan kejiwaan.

5. Melakukan psikotes. Psikopat biasanya memiliki IQ yang tinggi.


Berhadapan dengan psikopat

Untuk menghadapi hal tersebut kita tidaklah harus bersikap paranoid atau curiga berlebihan kepada setiap orang yang kita temui. Cukup dengan hati-hati dalam berhubungan dengan orang-orang tertentu yang kita jumpai. Tetapi bagaimana bila kita mencurigai bahwa ada salah satu rekan sekerja kita memiliki kepribadian psikopat?

Untuk hal ini, usahakan kita tidak terlalu dekat atau akrab dalam menjalin hubungan dengannya. Dalam buku Without Conscience memberikan kita beberapa tips atau kiat-kiat untuk melindungi diri dari psikopat :

a. Usahakan jangan sampai terpengaruh oleh umpan mereka: senyum yang indah, kata-kata manis, atau hadiah yang berlimpah yang dimaksudkan untuk mengalihkan perhatian anda dari manipulasi atau eksploitasi yang mungkin akan terjadi. Karakteristik ini punya muatan licik yang dimaksudkan untuk mengaburkan pesan individual yang sejati. Berpalinglah, dan konsentrasikan diri pada apa sebenarnya terjadi.

b. Buka mata. Orang yang tampaknya terlalu sempurna seringkali aslinya jauh berbeda. Psikopat menyembunyikan sisi gelap mereka sampai korban mereka telah terlibat cukup dalam. Pujian berlimpah, kebaikan palsu dan kelemahan dalam cerita yang kedengarannya hebat seharusnya bisa memberi petunjuk dan membuat anda waspada. Cari alasan yang masuk akal untuk menyelidiki mereka.

c. Kenali diri anda. Jika tidak, anda akan diserang pada titik lemah anda. Psikopat pandai menemukan dan menggunakan kelemahan orang lain. Jadi, semakin anda menyadari hal-hal yang membuat anda gampang terpikat, semakin siap anda membentengi diri.

d. Tetapkan aturan dasar yang tegas, dan hindari berebut kekuasaan yang tidak mungkin anda menangkan. Psikopat cenderung memegang kendali; bila sikap anda tidak jelas dan lemah, mereka akan mengambil keuntungan. Perjelas, bangun, dan jagalah batasan-batasan yang kuat.


e. Bila perlu, mintalah bantuan profesional. Korban sering kali bertanya-tanya apakah mereka berkhayal, atau mereka membiarkan kebohongan karena tak tahu apa yang harus dilakukan. Pendapat dari ahli tak hanya mendukung kecurigaan ini, tetapi juga membantu memberi jalan keluar.


Tetap waspada ! semoga bermanfaat ...

Dari berbagai sumber.

Apakah Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Pernah mendengar kata “Narsis”? Bagaimana dengan “Narcism”? Kurang lebih saya yakin Anda pasti pernah mendengarnya. Bagaimana dengan NPD? Gangguan kepribadian narsisistik (NPD) adalah gangguan kepribadian, pola yang menyeluruh kemegahan, kebutuhan kekaguman, dan kurangnya empati, dimulai pada awal masa dewasa dan hadir dalam berbagai konteks. Para narsisis digambarkan sebagai berpaling untuk kepuasan batin daripada tergantung pada orang lain dan sebagai orang yang terlalu sibuk dengan masalah kecukupan pribadi, kekuasaan, dan prestise. Gangguan kepribadian narsisistik berhubungan erat dengan mementingkan diri sendiri. Juga bahasa sehari-hari disebut sebagai “Tuhan kompleks.”

Berbagai konteks NPD, seperti ditunjukkan oleh lima (atau lebih) dari berikut ini:
  • memiliki rasa megah diri penting (misalnya, membesar-besarkan prestasi dan bakat, mengharapkan untuk diakui sebagai superior tanpa sepadan prestasi);
  • asyik dengan fantasi kesuksesan tak terbatas, kekuasaan, kecerdasan, kecantikan, atau cinta ideal;
  • percaya bahwa dia adalah “khusus” dan unik dan hanya dapat dipahami oleh, atau harus bergaul dengan, atau khusus lainnya status tinggi orang (atau institusi);
  • membutuhkan kekaguman berlebihan;
  • memiliki rasa hak, yaitu harapan yang tidak masuk akal terutama perlakuan istimewa atau otomatis sesuai dengan harapan nya;
  • adalah antarpribadi eksploitatif, yaitu, mengambil keuntungan dari orang lain untuk mencapai tujuan sendiri;
  • tidak memiliki empati: tidak mau mengenali atau mengidentifikasi dengan perasaan dan kebutuhan orang lain;
  • sering iri kepada orang lain atau percaya bahwa orang lain iri kepadanya;
  • menunjukkan sombong, perilaku atau sikap angkuh.
The etiologi dari gangguan ini tidak diketahui, menurut Groopman dan Cooper. Namun, mereka daftar faktor-faktor berikut diidentifikasi oleh berbagai peneliti sebagai faktor mungkin.
  • Sebuah temperamen sensitif pada saat lahir
  • pemakaian yg berlebihan dan overvaluation oleh orangtua
  • Valued oleh orangtua sebagai alat untuk mengatur diri mereka sendiri harga
  • kekaguman yang berlebihan yang tidak pernah diimbangi dengan umpan realistis
  • Unpredictable atau tidak dapat diandalkan pengasuhan dari orangtua
  • parah pelecehan emosional di masa kanak-kanak
  • Menjadi dipuji karena dianggap penampilan atau bakat luar biasa oleh orang dewasa
  • berlebihan pujian atas perilaku baik atau kritik yang berlebihan untuk perilaku miskin di masa kanak-kanak
Beberapa sifat narsisistik adalah umum dan fase perkembangan yang normal. Ketika karakter ini diperparah oleh kegagalan lingkungan antarpribadi dan terus sampai dewasa mereka dapat mengintensifkan ke titik di mana NPD didiagnosis. Sebagian psikoterapis percaya bahwa etiologi dari gangguan ini adalah untuk perkembangan anak usia dini.  Jika seorang anak tidak menerima pengakuan yang cukup untuk bakat mereka selama sekitar usia 3-7 mereka tidak akan pernah dewasa dan terus berada dalam tahap pengembangan awal narsisistik.
Gangguan kepribadian narsisistik adalah mengisolasi, disenfranchising, menyakitkan, dan menakutkan bagi mereka yang hidup dengan itu dan sering kali mereka yang berada dalam hubungan dengan mereka. Pembedaan harus dibuat di antara mereka yang telah NPD karena tidak masing-masing dan setiap orang dengan NPD adalah sama. Bahkan dengan isu-isu inti yang sama, cara di mana seseorang individu narsisme memanifestasikan dirinya dalam hubungan nya bervariasi.
Sebagian psikiater dan psikolog NPD menganggap sebagai kondisi yang relatif stabil ketika berpengalaman sebagai gangguan utama. James F. Masterson menguraikan pendekatan penyembuhan terkemuka NPD, sementara  membahas sebuah kontinum dari keparahan dan jenis-jenis terapi yang paling efektif dalam kasus yang berbeda. Biasanya, sebagai narsisisme adalah ciri kepribadian mendarah daging, daripada ketidakseimbangan kimia, pengobatan dan terapi tidak sangat efektif dalam mengobati gangguan ini.
sumber: vlyodhart

Narcissistic personality disorder

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff
Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, emotional behavior, which is in the same category as antisocial and borderline personality disorders.
Narcissistic personality disorder symptoms may include:
  • Believing that you're better than others
  • Fantasizing about power, success and attractiveness
  • Exaggerating your achievements or talents
  • Expecting constant praise and admiration
  • Believing that you're special and acting accordingly
  • Failing to recognize other people's emotions and feelings
  • Expecting others to go along with your ideas and plans
  • Taking advantage of others
  • Expressing disdain for those you feel are inferior
  • Being jealous of others
  • Believing that others are jealous of you
  • Trouble keeping healthy relationships
  • Setting unrealistic goals
  • Being easily hurt and rejected
  • Having a fragile self-esteem
  • Appearing as tough-minded or unemotional
Although some features of narcissistic personality disorder may seem like having confidence or strong self-esteem, it's not the same. Narcissistic personality disorder crosses the border of healthy confidence and self-esteem into thinking so highly of yourself that you put yourself on a pedestal. In contrast, people who have healthy confidence and self-esteem don't value themselves more than they value others.
When you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. You often monopolize conversations. You may belittle or look down on people you perceive as inferior. You may have a sense of entitlement. And when you don't receive the special treatment to which you feel entitled, you may become very impatient or angry. You may insist on having "the best" of everything — the best car, athletic club, medical care or social circles, for instance.
But underneath all this behavior often lies a fragile self-esteem. You have trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism. You may have a sense of secret shame and humiliation. And in order to make yourself feel better, you may react with rage or contempt and efforts to belittle the other person to make yourself appear better.
When to see a doctorWhen you have narcissistic personality disorder, you may not want to think that anything could be wrong — doing so wouldn't fit with your self-image of power and perfection. But by definition, a narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of your life, such as relationships, work, school or your financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and confused by a mix of seemingly contradictory emotions. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.
If you notice any of these problems in your life, consider reaching out to a trusted doctor or mental health provider. Getting the right treatment can help make your life more rewarding and enjoyable.

source: Mayo clinic