8 Ways to Help Your Bipolar Loved One Cope - Beyond Blue. “Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I” wrote US songwriter Lorenz Hart about the feeling of infatuation. It’s blissful and euphoric, as we all know. But it’s also addicting, messy and blinding. Without careful monitoring, its wild wind can rage through your life leaving you much like the lyrics of a country song: without a wife, job and truck. So how do you reign in this powerful beast? Here are a few suggestions.
Click here to continue reading this post. When does reciting scripture become a symptom of neurosis? Click here to continue reading this post. One of my mom’s best pieces of advice: “Hang with the winners.” Click here to continue reading this post. For people prone to depression and anxiety – i.e. human beings – the holidays invite countless possibility to get sucked into negative and catastrophic thinking.
Click here to continue reading this post. Bipolar Disorder Signs & Symptoms: Mania & Bipolar Depression. What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior—from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.
During a manic episode, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, the same person might be too tired to get out of bed, and full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt. The causes of bipolar disorder aren’t completely understood, but it often appears to be hereditary.
The first manic or depressive episode of bipolar disorder usually occurs in the teenage years or early adulthood. Hypomania symptoms. Bipolar Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health. Introduction: Bipolar Disorder This booklet discusses bipolar disorder in adults. For information on bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, see the NIMH booklet, “Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parent’s Guide.” What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years. Bipolar disorder is not easy to spot when it starts. What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder? People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes. " Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are described below. At the other end of the scale are hypomania and severe mania. Genetics. Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar affective disorder (and originally called manic-depressive illness), is a mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated mood and periods of depression.[1][2] The elevated mood is significant and is known as mania or hypomania depending on the severity or whether there is psychosis.
During mania an individual feels or acts abnormally happy, energetic, or irritable.[1] They often make poorly thought out decisions with little regard to the consequences. The need for sleep is usually reduced.[2] During periods of depression there may be crying, poor eye contact with others, and a negative outlook on life.[1] The risk of suicide among those with the disorder is high at greater than 6% over 20 years, while self harm occurs in 30–40%.[1] Other mental health issues such as anxiety disorder and drug misuse are commonly associated.[1] Signs and symptoms Manic episodes Hypomanic episodes Depressive episodes Mixed affective episodes Associated features.
Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder. PsychEducation.org (home) Antidepressants in Bipolar Disorder: The Controversies[Updated 2/2014 with ISBD review. Controversy 3 updated in September 2009; all else is older. Reviewed for accuracy in October 2012] This page has been maintained for nearly 5 years. Unfortunately, most of the controversies below remain controversial. I even had to add one, controversy "zero", when new data arrived suggesting that antidepressants may not really be effective at all in bipolar depression. The bottom line overall here: antidepressants may carry much more risk for people with bipolar disorder than is generally recognized. However, antidepressants may pose bigger risks in the long term. Therefore, considerable caution should be used before starting an antidepressant in a patient with bipolar disorder. Finally, some patients clearly do better if they stay on an antidepressant.
Page outline Controversy "zero": Do antidepressants even work in bipolar depression? Don't listen to me. Now for my opinions! Bipolar Advantage. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Improving the Lives of People Living with Mood Disorders. How to Recognize a Manic Episode or Hypomanic Episode of Bipolar Disorder. If someone you know has or may have bipolar disorder, you need to know the signs that point to a manic or hypomanic episode.
If you see a group of these behaviors, you (if possible and appropriate) or the individual in question should contact a doctor. Going to an emergency room may be the right choice, depending on how extreme the behavior is. Keep a notebook just for recording manic (and depressive) symptoms. Note: Most symptoms are shared between mania and hypomania. Those that are not are indicated. Make note of any changes in sleeping patterns, especially if your friend or loved one has lots of energy on just a few hours of sleep. Tips: Make a pact with your friend that if you bring these manic behaviors to his attention, he will contact his doctor. This is not an exhaustive list of manic symptoms. Bipolar.