Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disease or disorder is a mental illness that causes maximum mood swings. This condition is also called manic - depressive illness. It is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Bipolar disorder is a creativity disorder that causes special shifts the subject's mood, energy, and intelligence, including ability to function. Different from the normal ups or downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can by severe.
If you're suffering from bipolar disorder, these peaks and valleys are more severe. The extreme highs and lows of bipolar disorder can disrupt daily activities and damage relationships. And although it’s treatable, many people don’t recognize the warning signs and get the help they need. Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s important to learn what the symptoms look like. Recognizing the problem is the first step to getting it under control.
Classic bipolar disease or disorder (also identified as Bipolar Disorder I) is characterized by episodes of mania (highs) and episodes of depression (lows). In a manic state, a person may have extreme euphoria or optimism, to the point of impairing judgement. They may be hyperactive and stay up all night, talk and move extremely fast, have increased sexual drive and decreased inhibition. 75% of manic episodes include delusions of some sort (most often delusions of grandeur), one of the reasons why it is sometimes confused with schizophrenia. Untreated manic episodes can last for weeks or even months. Conversely, during a depressive episode, the same person can feel hopeless and personally worthless. They may lose interest in their normal activities (including sex), have very little energy or motivation, be unable to concentrate, and have disturbances in sleep and eating habits. Mania and depression do not necessarily follow one after the other; sometimes a person may experience a long symptom-free period before having another mood disturbance
Bipolar Disorder II is characterized by episodes of milder depression and milder mania, called hypomania. A hypomanic episode is different from full mania in that it does not include psychotic symptoms (for example, delusions) and it does not include symptoms that might be dangerous to the person or to others. Although it has it's own name, bipolar disorder II is reliably diagnosed less often than Bipolar I, and some experts question characterizing it as a milder version of the disorder (Source: "Bipolar Disorder." New England Journal of Medicine 2004:351:5:476-486)
So what do you watch for?
1) bipolar mania or hypo-mania
* euphoria or irritability
* excessive talk; racing thoughts
* inflated self-esteem
* unusual energy; less need for sleep
* impulsiveness, a reckless pursuit of gratification (shopping sprees, impetuous travel, more and sometimes promiscuous sex, high-risk business investments, fast driving)
2) bipolar depression/major depression
* depressed mood and low self-esteem
* low energy levels and apathy
* sadness, loneliness, helplessness, guilt
* slow speech, fatigue, and poor coordination
* insomnia or oversleeping
* suicidal thoughts and feelings
* poor concentration
* lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities
What do do?
You should call a Doctor if you notice any of the following: * You notice some of these symptoms in a family member. Please note that people with bipolar disorder often deny anything is wrong, especially in the manic phase. If you are worried about someone like a family member or close friend, a doctor can offer you some advice on how to handle a delicate or difficult situation. * You notice some of these symptoms in yourself
