Bipolar Disorder
True or False: Mania can make someone feel very energetic and need less sleep.
True
What does the word “delusion” mean?
(Answer: A strong belief that is not true, even when shown evidence to the contrary)
What does “CMH” stand for?
Community Mental Health
What is one trigger that can make bipolar symptoms worse?
Stress, lack of sleep, substance use, stopping medication, etc.
What type of hallucinations are common in schizophrenia?
(Answer: Auditory — hearing voices, Visual - seeing things)
What is one challenge you think you’ll face in the community, and how could you handle it?
Medication Management (pill organizer, accountability person, attend appointments)
Employment (reach out to my case manager for recourses, start off with a part time job)
What is one early warning sign of mania?
(Answer: Not sleeping, racing thoughts, feeling “on top of the world,” overspending, fast talking, etc.)
Delusion Examples (Guess the Theme)
Question: A man believes the police are following him everywhere he goes, even when he is alone.
Answer: Paranoid / Persecutory delusion.
What does a case manager help with?
Linking people to services, resources, and support in the community
How can substance use affect bipolar disorder?
(Answer: It can trigger episodes, interfere with medication, increase relapse risk)
What is one challenge people with schizophrenia might face when living in the community?
(Answer: Stigma, housing, employment, transportation, maintaining treatment, etc.)
What is one common barrier people face when transitioning from the hospital back into the community?
Housing, transportation, stigma, lack of resources, medication management, etc.
Question: How would you describe bipolar disorder to someone who doesn’t know what it is?
Answer (example): Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where a person has extreme changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. Sometimes they feel very “up” (mania or hypomania), and other times very “down” (depression). Treatment and support help people manage it and live stable lives.
How would you explain schizophrenia to someone who doesn’t know what it is?
(Answer: It’s a mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and experiences reality. They may hear voices, have unusual beliefs, or feel disconnected, but with treatment and support they can manage it and live meaningful lives.)
If you start noticing your early warning signs of relapse, what steps could you take in the community to stay stable?
Call case manager or CMH crisis line, use coping skills from WRAP, attend support groups, reach out to supports, adjust self-care, talk to prescriber about meds, etc.