Are You or a Loved One Bipolar?
 |
Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as manic depression, is an illness that affects many people all around the world. The defining characteristics of this disorder are extreme highs and lows with possible periods of normalcy in between. While everyone can experience mood swings at some point, those with manic depression do so in a way that can negatively affect their lives and make normal functioning difficult or even impossible. The first step towards effectively dealing with manic depression is to learn as much as possible about this condition.
Depression is one of the types of episodes that someone with manic depression will experience. During a depressed period, symptoms may include excessive sadness, crying, lack of interest in normal activities and a change in normal appetite and sleep patterns. The severity of the depression can range from mild to severe. The duration of a depressive episode can last anywhere from a few days to several months or more.
Mania is the other part of manic depression. Like depressive episodes, manic episodes can last anywhere from a few days to several months. During a manic episode, sufferers will experience extreme feelings of elation and enthusiasm. They may have trouble sleeping, and overreact to certain situations. Mania isn't just about feeling happy, as a manic individual can become hostile and quick to anger. One symptom of mania is the tendency to go on wild spending sprees without regard to proper judgment. During a manic episode, the sufferer may not even realize they are ill and may react with hostility and defensiveness if a loved one suggests there is a problem.
A less severe form of mania is called hypomania. During hypomania, the sufferer may be under the impression that they feel good. They may be more productive and cheerful. It's important to recognize hypomania for what it is and not confuse it with a normal period, as it can lead to a severe manic episode. Not every hypomanic episode leads to full blown mania, but many often do. In addition to hypomania, another characteristic of manic depression can be mixed mood. This occurs when an individual experiences both depression and mania during the same day.
Bipolar disorder often manifests for the first time in adolescence but can also begin in childhood or adulthood. Treatment options include talk therapy, self management and medication. Types of medications used to treat this disorder include mood stabilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on the severity of the episodes and also the best judgment of the individual's physician or psychiatrist.
Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved
What is Bipolar Disorder? (Bipolar #1)
| Neurocognitive Endophenotypes for Bipolar Disorder Identified in. Context Although genetic influences on bipolar disorder are well established, localization of genes that predispose to the illness has proven difficult... | ||
Students suffer less from bipolar disorder (The Cavalier Daily) Bipolar disorder is less prevalent among University students than across the nation as a whole, according to Russell Federman, director of the Universitys Counseling and ... | ||
Bipolar Disorder and Physical Intimacy - PsychCentral.com (blog)
| ||
Mental illness risk four times higher if you're bright By Lyndsay Moss THE cleverest children in school are also those most likely to suffer a serious mental illness as adults, research reveals... | ||
Drugging of America's youth Children and Adults Against Drugging America The U.S. rates number one for mental illness... | ||
Noozhawk Talks: J.T. Turner Rolls Out New Film About Art, Mental . - Noozhawk He was diagnosed, and the various symptoms he had werent termed bipolar disorder or manic depression in those days, but it looks very much like he would be diagnosed now with bipolar disorder EUR” he had seizures and things, so it was complex... | ||
In schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, life is not black and white (EurekAlert!) Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder affect tens of millions of individuals around the world. These disorders have a typical onset in the early 20s and in most cases have a chronic or recurring course. Neither disorder has an objective biological marker than can be used to make diagnoses or to guide treatment... | ||
The Low Prevalence Of Bipolar Disorder Among University Students: The . Welcome to the first posting of Bipolar You - a blog about bipolar disorder . What distinguishes this from the many blogs you'll find across the web is the specific focus upon bipolar disorder during the university years... | ||
Retinal function may help predict schizophrenia, bipolar disorder risk (New Kerala) Washington, Feb 5 : Canadian researchers suggest that retinal function could prove to be a useful biomarker for detecting the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder... | ||
Are bipolar disorder and schizophrenia very similar? (CNN) Are the psychoses of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia very similar? How do you tell psychotic bipolar disorder apart from schizophrenia with mood disorder? How similar are the two diseases considering that the same medicines (anti-psychotics) are beneficial to both?.. | ||
One woman's tale of bipolar disorder - Gulf Times
| ||
Cognitive Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Clinicians [Book Forum] Foreword by Frederick K. Goodwin. Washington, D.C. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2008, 316 pp., $45.00 Charles L. Bowden, M.D. San Antonio, Tex... | ||
Manuel done in by his ego - St. Augustine Record Tom Manuel in his Navy uniform. He joined the Navy in December 1968 and left active duty in 1972. He was honorably discharged from the reserves in 1977. It was just the first game of the New York Yankees' 1981 season, but an MVP had already been ... | ||
Technorati Tags: Bipolar Disorder, Are You or a Loved One Bipolar? , Bipolar Disorder
 |
- Bipolar Disorder
- Bipolar 2
- Bipolar And Adhd
- Bipolar Celebrities
- Bipolar Disorder For Dummies
- Bipolar Disorder In Children
- Bipolar Disorder Treatments
- Bipolar Illness
- Bipolar Mania
- Bipolar Manic Depression
- Bipolar Medication
- Bipolar Medicine
- Bipolar Support Groups
- Bipolar Tests
- Cause Of Bipolar Disorder
- Controlling Bipolar Mood Swings Tool Workbook
- Signs Of Bipolar
- Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder
- Trileptal Bipolar
- Social Bookmark This
- Privacy Policy
- Sitemap
- Resources
- Add URL