Multipolar Disorder

Multipolar disorder is a mental disorder which includes a broad range of intense and sometimes violent emotions. Bipolar disorder alternates between two basic polarities, mania and depression. Multipolar disorder is marked by frequently reoccurring episodes of catatonia, melancholia, psychotic depression, mania and hypomania. Like bipolar disorder, multipolar disorder is characterized by intensity and frequency of emotional outbursts and grandiose behavior.

A question of temperament

• The condition known as bipolar, the alternating between mania and depression, has existed unnamed since the dawn of humanity. The diagnosis "bipolar" was internationally accepted in the 1850's. Further investigation into the nature of the bipolar temperament lead pyschologists to further expand upon this original theory broadening its scope and definition and "multipolar" disorder was recognized and named by Conrad Swartz in 2006.

Frequency and Intensity

• Multipolar disorder is characterized by the classic high/low pattern, alternating frequently between emotional extremes to the point of delusion. Grandiosity is often expressed with the multipolar personality who feels extreme love and goodness one minute, and intense anger and mean-like-a-witch the next minute. These frequent and intense emotional episodes take their toll on family, friends and co-workers.

Multipolar tendencies

• The intensities of emotion in the multipolar personality can lead to extreme behavior patterns and addictions. These include but are not limited to: heavy drinking, drug abuse, high risk promiscuous sex, over-eating, spending sprees, workaholism, and fighting in general.

The phases of multipolar disorder

• Multipolar disorder is usually diagnosed in adulthood as the symtoms unfold more noticeably later in life. Children with multipolar disorder are generally diagnosed as having Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Effective Treatments

• Loren Crabtree, MD., is the Medical director and co-founder of The Project Transition program which coaches people with bipolar and multipolar disorder to learn coping skills and effectively manage their condition. The program emphasizes the good extremes that exist in the multipolar person. Often an individual with a bipolar or multipolar temperament also displays levels of excellence and even genius in the arts, business, public service, or religion.

Nurturing potential, curbing excesses

• At Project Transition, multipolar and bipolar participants are taught to value and develop their unique creative potential while curbing self-endangering behavior. Seeing the positive qualities of a multipolar person and encouraging their talent accelerates their ability to heal and effectively cope with their condition.

Recovery and empowerment

• The Project Transition Program emphasizes three basic phases of recovery for the multipolar personality: symptom reduction, relationships, and empowerment.

  The multipolar person is taught self-management principles and given medication to cope with their behavior. They are taught new skills and encouraged to work on their native talents and strengths. They are also taught how to anticipate an outburst and manage them before a self-inflicted crisis re-occurs.

  The multipolar individual is taught social responsibility by taking responsibility for their actions and learning to cultivate healthy relations. They are given a sense of connectedness and belonging. They are encouraged to be interdependent with other people while at the same time learning to be independent of their families who may or may not be helping the situation.

  And finally, the multipolar person is given hope for a better future with increased self-management of their temperament and the blossoming of their unique, creative talents.