Bipolar Depression

What Is Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that causes a wide range of mood disorders, including depression, anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is caused by a combination of two different types of mental illness, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

A person with bipolar disorder alternates between severe depressive episodes and short-term periods of mild depression. People may also experience mild to moderate episodes of moderate depression and mild to moderate anxiety in people with Bipolar disorder, but some may never experience a major manic or depressive episode. There is also major depressive disorder that is it’s own type of mental illness.

If you have bipolar disorder in cycling, you may have had or have had it in your life, such as depression, anxiety, depression and anxiety disorders.

If you have fast cycling bipolar disorder, such as bipolar depression or Bipolar disorder in people with schizophrenia, then you may have had a previous bipolar episode or two or three bipolar episodes in the past.

It is important to know that there are different types of bipolar disorder, such as rapid cyclic bipolar disorder and rapid bipolar depression in cycling.

Bipolar Symptoms

People with one of the two types of bipolar disorder may have the following symptoms depending on whether they are experiencing a manic or depressive phase. For example, bipolar depression is more likely to include both manic and depressive episodes, as well as a mix of depressive and manic episodes. A depressed bipolar person may differ from a person with unipolar depression who has a mixed depressive episode of depression type, which includes both bipolar and non-bipolar episodes of depression and other depressive symptoms.

Depression, anger and borderline personality disorder can mimic mixed bipolar episodes, so doctors should be careful to distinguish between these disorders.

How this differs from depression is that people with bipolar disorder also experience at least one manic episode. In fact, people with depression and bipolar disorder have a higher rate of manic episodes than those with unipolar depression or bipolar 2 disorder.

Individuals in bipolar-2 may have more than one depressive episode of depression, as well as a mix of depressive and depressive episodes of bipolar episodes.

If someone has not been officially diagnosed but has experienced a manic episode since taking antidepressants, this may indicate bipolar disorder rather than depression.

Since clinical depression does not develop and can turn into bipolar disorder, a person who has previously been diagnosed with depression may find that they actually have a different type of bipolar disorder.

For example, if you have suffered from depression in the past and have had an episode of mania at some point, you may be diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.

This may not fit your earlier diagnosis of depression or unipolar depression, but it fits bipolar – 2 disorder or bipolar.

While manic episodes of bipolar disorder can be severe and dangerous, people with bipolar II disorder can be depressed, which can cause significant impairment.

At the same time, a person with a manic episode, such as grief or even joy, has the potential to trigger a depressive episode in someone with severe depression or bipolar disorder.

The transition from bipolar depression to mania or hypomania is a particular risk that requires a different approach to treating unipolar depression.

While antidepressants remain a key pillar of treating sadness in bipolar disorder, prescribing doctors must remain vigilant, as there is evidence that antidepressants can trigger manic or near-manic (or “hypomanic”) episodes and cause a rapid cycle of mood disorders.

Indeed, there was some concern that antidepressants can worsen bipolar disorder by triggering mania and hypomania, and by causing a rapid – cyclical mood disorder – stabilizing medication.

People with bipolar disorder are less likely to seek help if they are depressed than people without the disorder.

However, given the increased risk of suicide in bipolar disorder, anyone with what is known as bipolar disorder, which shows symptoms of worsening depression, should seek help as soon as possible, regardless of the symptoms.

If you suffer from bipolar disorder, you can learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of manic episodes and their approaching episodes.

If you have a manic episode, clinical depression should be diagnosed immediately, although you may have bipolar disorder.

A diagnosis is made if the patient has at least one manic episode and a history of depression, known as hypomania.

Bipolar II disorder, the person has bipolar I disorder but has never had manic episodes and is diagnosed if they have had at least one depressive episode or no depressive episodes in the last 12 months.

Sometimes referred to as manic depression, bipolar depression “can’t get out of bed, can’t follow a train of thought, speaks so fast and angry and talks too much,” Esposito said. Severe unipolar depression is characterized by a long history of manic episodes, such as one manic-depressive episode in the last 12 months.

Bipolar Depression Signs

There are several symptoms that you should be looking out for if you suspect yourself having Bipolar Depression. The symptoms of Bipolar Depression include: extreme sadness and/or low mood (sometimes, even low self-esteem), intense episodes of anxiety that can last for weeks or months, trouble managing daily tasks, and difficulty sleeping.

If left untreated, it can worsen to a point where the sufferer can’t maintain normal relationships or work. A manic episode includes feelings of being extremely happy and excited about things, while a depressive episode is marked by feeling sad or sorrowful about things.

It is important to note that Bipolar Disorder is a long-term condition that involves both brain chemistry and biological vulnerabilities. In order to better understand the symptoms and possible treatments, it is good to go through some of the treatment options available for this condition.

This includes medication, therapy, yoga, and herbal remedies. Each one addresses different symptoms and requires different medication and lifestyle changes. For instance, medication can help to balance chemicals in the brain to reduce the mood swings and help to stabilize moods.

Bipolar Depression often starts during childhood. Some of the classic signs of the condition include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Children with Bipolar Disorder are often difficult to handle because of their inattentiveness and emotional immaturity. However, children with Bipolar Disorder can learn to function on a regular basis as long as they receive appropriate treatment. In some cases, the condition is mild and it can be managed with therapy and medication.

People who have Bipolar Disorder can experience any or all of the following signs and symptoms: extreme emotional highs, deep sadness, chronic fatigue, and suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. Suicide is the third most common cause of death among people with Bipolar Depression.

Suicidal thoughts and actions are often connected with depressive symptoms. It is important to note that thoughts and actions related to suicide do not necessarily occur in isolation. Often times, people with Bipolar Disorder have co-occurring symptoms and they may even attempt suicide at the same time or later in life.

Another symptom of Bipolar Depression is hypomania. Some examples of hypomanic symptoms include feeling unusually talkative (that there is no “real” conversation), decreased concentration, racing thoughts, and increased sexual thoughts. The causes of hypomania are unclear and can range from drugs to nutritional deficiencies or possibly some kind of trauma.

When the cause(s) of hypomania are established, treating the imbalance that contributes to hypomania is the next step. Common treatments for hypomania include antidepressants, neuroleptic drugs, and beta-blockers. In some cases, hospitalization may be needed.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

People who suspect they may be suffering from Bipolar Disorder are advised to get a proper diagnosis from a mental health care provider. This is done by a mental health professional who takes into account all the symptoms that are presented to them as well as their history of other illnesses.

Proper diagnosis can help prevent treatment mistakes that could prove costly. As is true with most diseases, if a person who thinks they may have this disorder is incorrectly diagnosed, it can result in the wrong treatment being prescribed. If treatment is started too early, it can have adverse effects on the patient.

Although it is possible to live with bipolar disorder for many years, it is also important to realize that living with bipolar disorder is not something that can be treated with a simple case of medicine and therapy. Although the disorder can be successfully managed with treatment, it is not curable.

In fact, bipolar depression and all the related symptoms greatly reduce a person’s quality of life. With this being the case, it is imperative that those who think they may be suffering from the disorder seek out medical treatment as soon as possible.

Bipolar depression is very similar to regular depression as the symptoms are very similar. The most noticeable symptoms are extreme mood swings, lack of interest in everyday activities, having trouble maintaining relationships, and sleeping too much or too little.

Couples Rehabs provides this information to help you make an important decision about your mental health.  If you experience any of these symptoms and believe you may be suffering from Bipolar Disorder, you should contact your family physician to start an evaluation of your condition.

 

Common Questions about Bipolar Depression

 

Is There A Difference Between Bipolar Disorder And Bipolar Depression?
The main difference between the two is that depression is unipolar, implying that there is no “up” duration, however bipolar disorder includes symptoms of mania. To differentiate in between the two conditions, it helps to comprehend the symptoms of each one.

Can You Have Bipolar And Depression Together?
If you have bipolar affective disorder, you may alternate in between depression and hypomania or mania. You may also have durations in between when you have no signs It’s likewise possible to have the signs of mania and depression at the same time. This is called a blended bipolar state.

What Does A Bipolar Crash Feel Like?
You may feel helpless or sad and be less thinking about doing activities you normally enjoy. During these changes in state of mind and behavior, it’s not unusual to have extreme fatigue. Tiredness causes a total sensation of extreme tiredness and a lack of energy.

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Bipolar?

• Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:
• Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired.
• Increased activity, energy or agitation.
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Unusual talkativeness.
• Racing thoughts.
• Poor decision-making — for example, going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks or making foolish investments

 

Does A Bipolar Person Know They Are Bipolar?
So no, not everyone who has bipolar disorder understands they have it. There are lots of reasons why somebody with bipolar affective disorder might not understand it– or why they might deny having it even if they do. If you think somebody you know might have untreated bipolar disorder, there are a couple of things you can do to assist.

Can Someone With Bipolar Have A Normal Relationship?
You can absolutely have a healthy, pleased relationship with a partner who has been identified with bipolar affective disorder. The condition may bring both favorable and challenging elements to the relationship, however you can take steps to support your partner and to help them handle their symptoms.

 

Symptoms Of Mania or Hypomania In Males And Females Include:

 

• feeling “high”
• feeling jumpy or irritated
• having increased energy
• having elevated self-esteem
• feeling able to do anything
• experiencing reduced sleep and appetite
• talking faster and more than usual
• having rapid flights of ideas or racing thoughts
• being easily distracted
• taking more risks, such as spending a lot of money or doing dangerous activities

 

Does Bipolar Get Worse As You Age?
Bipolar may intensify with age or with time if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, an individual might experience episodes that are more serious and more regular than when signs first appeared.

What Are Bipolar People Like?
People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression, and episodes of mania– overwhelming delight, excitement or joy, substantial energy, a minimized requirement for sleep, and minimized inhibitions. The experience of bipolar is distinctively personal. No two individuals have exactly the same experience.