| |
Bipolar Depression Information
Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, which was formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. This condition shows a particular pattern of inheritance. Not nearly as common as the other types of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder involves cycles of depression and mania, or elation.
Bipolar disorder is extremely volatile. Patients with Bipolar disorder may experience drastic and rapid mood changes from minute to minute. These are known as manic episodes. A manic person may be hyper and excited one minute and extremely reclusive the next, avoiding all people and activities. Bipolar depression experiences a roller-coaster symptom of excitement and loneliness. They may experience a rapid mood swings from lonely to manic attacks. This major form of depression shows a wide-range of full-blown emotional imbalances which interfere with normal activities such as work, study, family affairs and social responsibility.
This type of cycle is standard with all types of depression, but it is much more noticeable with Bipolar Disorder. Recurrence is almost guaranteed with Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic, recurring condition. Sometimes, the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual.
Bipolar depression is a disabling illness and the predominant mood state for the vast majority of those with bipolar disorder.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
- Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
- Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
- Extreme irritability
- Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
- Distractibility, can't concentrate well
- Little sleep needed
- Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
- Poor judgment
- Spending sprees
- A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
- Increased sexual drive
- Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
- Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
- Denial that anything is wrong
People with bipolar disorder may need help to get help
- Often people with bipolar disorder do not realize how impaired they are, or they blame their problems on some cause other than mental illness.
- A person with bipolar disorder may need strong encouragement from family and friends to seek treatment. Family physicians can play an important role in providing referral to a mental health professional.
- Sometimes a family member or friend may need to take the person with bipolar disorder for proper mental health evaluation and treatment.
- A person who is in the midst of a severe episode may need to be hospitalized for his or her own protection and for much-needed treatment. There may be times when the person must be hospitalized against his or her wishes.
- Ongoing encouragement and support are needed after a person obtains treatment, because it may take a while to find the best treatment plan for each individual.
- Like other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder is also hard on spouses, family members, friends, and employers.
|
|
