How To Recognize The Signs Of Bipolar Depression
Most of us experience days when we feel on top of the world and other times when nothing seems right. However, for a person with bipolar depression these high and low points are far more extreme. It is estimated that three percent of adults in the United States are suffering from bipolar depression and many of these people do not even realize they have it. Of all mental illnesses bipolar manic depression comes with the highest risk of suicide and the disease tends to get worse if left untreated. Therefore it is very important that we are all able to recognize the symptoms of this mental illness.
The Symptoms
The main symptoms of bipolar depression are episodes of mania, episodes of depression and periods that are a mixture of the two. These episodes are not fleeting and could last for weeks or even months. The first episodes usually occur at some point during adolescence but often go untreated when parents mistake the symptoms as being typical teenaged bad behavior. Parents who see their adolescent child behave in a way that is extreme or very strange should seek professional evaluation for their son or daughter.
Manic episodes of bipolar depression are characterized by a feeling of extreme optimism and jubilation or irritability. A person with mania might not sleep but will still be full of energy. They may engage in extreme behaviors such as stealing, gambling, being sexually promiscuous or running up debts without thinking about the moral implications or consequences of their actions.
In extreme cases a person going through a manic phase may experience hallucinations that cause them to see or hear things which are not really there or delusions of grandeur in which they see themselves as being special and in some way superior to those around them. Many manic depressives find these periods of mania enjoyable. What’s more many people with manic depression are very creative during these phases and can accomplish a great deal.
Depressive episodes of bipolar depression are the exact opposite of the manic phases. The person going through the depressive phase may feel hopeless, sad, tired and unable to derive a sense of joy from any activity. They may struggle to find the energy with which to perform simple tasks such as going to the kitchen to make a drink and wonder why they even bothered getting out of bed at all. Other symptoms include changes in appetite and eating habits as well as very low self-esteem. Frequent thoughts of death are also common during the depressive phase of the illness. Many people with this condition have attempted suicide and tragically around twenty percent of them succeed. There have been cases of people attempting to commit suicide in extreme ways such as jumping of cliffs or in front of moving vehicles.
Treatment Options
Treatment options for bipolar disorder include mood stabilizing medication, especially for an individual who has had two or more episodes of mania or depression. These mood stabilizers include both antipsychotics and antidepressants. Sedatives and sleeping aids are often prescribed too. Psychotherapy is another important part of the treatment for bipolar depression, and this is particularly effective during the depressive phase. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture and meditation can also help. A person with bipolar depression should learn as much as they can about it and make sure they have a strong support network. It is also recommended that people with this illness monitor their moods so that they can recognize the warning signs of an episode.
