Early Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression and sometimes confused with Personality disorder, is a mental health illness characterized by strong mood swings including emotional peaks (mania or hypo-mania) and valleys (depression) (depression).
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression and sometimes confused with Personality disorder, is a mental health illness characterized by strong mood swings including emotional peaks (mania or hypo-mania) and valleys (depression) (depression).

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Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood switches to mania or hypo mania (less severe than mania), you may experience euphoria, an abundance of energy, and extraordinary irritability, especially when a situation doesn’t conclude in a logical outcome.

These mood fluctuations may interfere with sleep, energy, activity, judgment, conduct, and the capacity for clear thought. Mood swings may occur sporadically or numerous times each year. While the majority of individuals feel emotional symptoms between episodes, others may not. This disease is more wide spread than most people know, with millions of sufferers world-wide, as the symptoms in a real sense may seem invisible to others.

Bipolar is a disease that lasts a lifetime, though you may regulate your mood swings and other symptoms by adhering to a treatment plan. In the majority of instances, bipolar illness is treated with drugs and psychotherapy (psychotherapy). Although bipolar illness may develop at any age, it is commonly diagnosed in adolescence or the early twenties. Symptoms might vary from individual to individual, and they can change over time. Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of bipolar disorder, as well as how to manage the symptoms on a daily basis.

Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood switches to mania or hypo mania (less severe than mania), you may experience euphoria, an abundance of energy, and extraordinary irritability, especially when a situation doesn’t conclude in a logical outcome.

These mood fluctuations may interfere with sleep, energy, activity, judgment, conduct, and the capacity for clear thought. Mood swings may occur sporadically or numerous times each year. While the majority of individuals feel emotional symptoms between episodes, others may not. This disease is more wide spread than most people know, with millions of sufferers world-wide, as the symptoms in a real sense may seem invisible to others.

Bipolar is a disease that lasts a lifetime, though you may regulate your mood swings and other symptoms by adhering to a treatment plan. In the majority of instances, bipolar illness is treated with drugs and psychotherapy (psychotherapy). Although bipolar illness may develop at any age, it is commonly diagnosed in adolescence or the early twenties. Symptoms might vary from individual to individual, and they can change over time. Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms and treatment of bipolar disorder, as well as how to manage the symptoms on a daily basis.

Bipolar Symptoms May Include Mania or Hypo-mania and Depression

Symptoms may lead to unexpected mood and behavior shifts, resulting in substantial discomfort and life difficulties. Here are the most prominent symptoms.

Bipolar I disorder

• At least one manic episode has occurred, which may have been preceded or followed by hypo-manic or significant depressive episodes. Mania may in certain situations cause a breach with reality
resulting in psychosis.

Bipolar II disorder

• You have had at least one severe depressive episode and one hypomanic episode, but never a manic one.

Cyclothymic disorder

• At least two years, or one year in children and adolescents, with frequent hypomanic and depressed symptoms.

Other varieties

• These include bipolar and similar diseases caused by specific medicines or alcohol or medical conditions such as Cushing’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.

Bipolar II disorder is a distinct diagnosis and not a lesser variation of bipolar I illness. While the manic episodes of bipolar I illness may be intense and hazardous, those with bipolar II disease may have extended periods of depression, which can result in considerable disability.

Mania and Hypo-mania are Two Distinct Types of Episodes, Sharing Identical Symptoms

Mania is more severe than hypo-mania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania may also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization. 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
• Distractibility
• Poor decision-making — for example, going on buying sprees, taking abnormal risks or making foolish investments

A Major Depressive Episode Includes Severe Symptoms Causing Noticeable Difficulty in Day-to-Day Activities

Bipolar disorder manifests itself via difficulties in the workplace, school, social activities, and relationships. An episode may contain at least five of the following symptoms:

• Depressed mood, such as feeling sad, empty, hopeless or tearful (in children and teens, depressed mood can appear as irritability)
• Marked loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in all or almost all activities
• Significant weight loss when not dieting, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite (in children, failure to gain weight as expected can be a sign of depression)
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Either restlessness or slowed behavior
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
• Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide

Bipolar Treatment Should be Guided by a Specialist in Diagnosing and Treating Mental Health Conditions

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. Treatment is directed at managing symptoms. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

Medications

• Frequently, you will need to immediately begin taking drugs to stabilize your mood.

Continued therapy

• Bipolar illness requires lifetime therapy with drugs, even during times of improvement. People who forego maintenance therapy are at a significant risk of experiencing a recurrence of symptoms or
having modest mood shifts develop into full-blown mania or depression.

Day treatment services

• Your physician may suggest a day therapy program. These programs give the necessary assistance and guidance throughout symptom management.

Abuse of substances therapy

• If you have issues with alcohol or drugs, you will also require therapy for substance addiction. Otherwise, bipolar illness might be difficult to treat.

Hospitalization

• Your physician may prescribe hospitalization if you exhibit unsafe behavior, feel suicidal, or become removed from reality (psychotic). Whether you are experiencing a manic or severe depressive episode,
receiving psychiatric care in a hospital may help keep you calm, safe, and stabilize your mood.

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