Bipolar Depression Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar patients may experience difficulty staying at school or at work, strained relationships with family members and friends, and an increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse. Unmanaged symptoms may also cause feelings of anger or thoughts of suicide.
In addition, to periods of extreme "down" moods, a few sufferers experience manic episodes. These may include experiencing, hearing or smelling things that aren't there (hallucinations) and believing things that aren't (delusions).
1. Feelings of despair or hopelessness
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness are a typical symptom of bipolar depression. When a person is in a depressive mood one may feel hopeless, empty or even guilt-ridden. They might also feel worthless or guilty. These symptoms can make it hard to deal with everyday life and can cause a loss of interest in activities that were enjoyable previously. In severe cases, feelings of a lack of value can trigger thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
In addition, to feeling devalued People who suffer from bipolar disorder are having trouble connecting to their good qualities and believe that they aren't worthy of being loved. This can be especially difficult in close relationships like those with families or romantic partners. When this happens, it's crucial to get help from a mental health professional, or dial 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to chat with a person all hours of the day.
Bipolar disorder can cause depression and mania at the same moment. This is referred to as a mixed episode. During this time one may experience the negative feelings of depression and the high energy and false beliefs associated with mania simultaneously. Symptoms of mania include feeling happy and joyful and spending lots of time talking and laughing as well as being too confident and ambitious, and having hallucinations or delusions, which involve hearing or seeing things that aren't real.
Combining therapy and medication can be used to treat these ailments. A regular sleep schedule along with a healthy diet and techniques for reducing stress can also be helpful. It is essential to stick to the treatment plan recommended by your physician because abruptly stopping it can cause severe episodes. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) on the other hand, can help you to resolve issues that could contribute to your mood fluctuations.
2. You don't want to participate in the activities you used to enjoy
A decline in enthusiasm for activities you usually like is one of the most obvious signs of depression. This may include activities like hobbies, work or time spent with friends and family members. It's important to keep in mind that depression is a real illness, and it can take a while before you be able to feel better. However it is important to see your doctor and build an alliance of support to help you manage your symptoms.
Bipolar disorder sufferers have intense mood swings, energy levels, and levels of activity. This can trigger periods when you feel "up," elated or energized, or extremely "up" (known by the term mania) and then periods where you feel "down," sad, and "down." Mood swings in bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks or even months.
Major depression is the most well-known form of depression. It can be triggered by a life-threatening incident, such as the loss of a loved-one or losing your job. It is important to understand that depression is not like the temporary negative feelings that you might feel in response to an event. Depression is chronic, severe, and does not disappear on its own.
Psychotherapy or medication can be prescribed by your doctor to treat depression. The medication can help you manage your mood swings and can even stop them from occurring. But you must take your medication as prescribed by your physician. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers such as lithium and other medications are often prescribed to treat depression. On the FDA website you can learn more about specific medications including side effects and warnings. Certain individuals can benefit from a treatment called brain stimulation, which involves using electrical or magnetic waves to stimulate or block certain areas of their brain.
3. Trouble concentrating
A person with bipolar disorder experiences periods of extremely high energy and activity (mania or "manic" episodes) that are followed by a severe depression. This can make it difficult to focus on work or other tasks. It could also cause issues at home or in relationships. Most often family and friends are the first to notice changes in a person's behavior.
A head injury or neurological issue can also make it difficult to concentrate. People who have these problems need to talk to their doctor and seek an assessment.
It is normal to experience trouble concentrating during times when you are stressed or exhausted. It is usually temporary and improves when the person relaxes or is more relaxed. A mental illness such as anxiety or depression may cause difficulty concentrating. It is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis since it can help the doctor determine the best treatment.
Researchers discovered that the difficulty in concentrating was related to trait anxiety, and all three severity indices of clinical severity. This is different from earlier studies that indicated that difficulty concentrating did not correlate with other GAD symptoms once depression was controlled statistically (Joormann and Stober 1999).
Speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your concentration. Combining medication with therapy can be helpful. It can take months or even years to figure out the most effective treatment plan and you'll need to follow it carefully. Early treatment can lessen the frequency and severity of depressive or manic episodes. They can also prevent them from returning. Other strategies for prevention include keeping a mood journal, so you can notice the first signs of an episode and avoid or reduce stress.
4. Feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of inadequacy
Depression can trigger feelings of self-loathing or feeling devalued. It is important to remember that these feelings aren't your fault and that you aren't worthy of them. If you're depressed and you're thinking of self-harm You should seek immediate help.
People with bipolar disorder have episodes of depression and mania. These are referred to as mixed episodes. In a mixed episode, you might experience both low and high, however the highs aren't quite as intense as the lows. It is also possible to experience rapid mood swings, which can cause you to jump between states.
Symptoms of hypomania or mania include increased energy and excitement and irritability, as well as increased levels of activity and impulsive behavior, false beliefs (delusions) or paranoid or irrational behaviour. When you are in a hypomanic or manic phase, you are more likely to gamble and spend money. If you're struggling to manage your finances, it's a good idea to create a permanent power of attorney to appoint an individual to manage your finances for you.
If you're experiencing mood swings lasting for 2 weeks or more, it's a good idea to consult your doctor. They'll ask you about your symptoms and look for symptoms of bipolar disorder. They may suggest keeping an account of your mood or a chart to see whether you can spot any patterns. They might recommend you to your local NHS community mental health team (CMHT) in the event that they believe that you're suffering from an extreme manic or depressive episode or if there are concerns regarding your safety. Bipolar UK has a list of useful contacts and information.
5. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
Bipolar depression can be difficult to diagnose. Inform your doctor if you feel hopeless, depressed or unworthy. It could take a few months or even years before you and your physician discover the right treatment plan for you.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of extreme elation, excitement, and energy (known collectively as manic episodes) as well as periods of extreme sadness, despair and indifference (known collectively as depression episodes). These mood changes can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks. These mood changes can be accompanied with feelings of irritability or impulsivity. These mood swings can result in sleeplessness and a change in appetite.
depression symptoms could last for more than a week and occur on a regular basis throughout your life. They may be triggered by specific circumstances and alcohol or drugs. Stressful life events such as moving, getting divorced or married, or obtaining new work or losing your old one can trigger a psychotic episode. Drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy can also cause an episode. So can some over-the-counter cold medicines, antidepressants, sleep aids, some stimulant medications and thyroid medication.
Depression in bipolar disorder is severe and may increase the likelihood of suicide. Suicide is more likely to occur in people who have frequent depressive episodes or mixed episodes and a family history of suicide or an early onset of the illness. Other risk factors include previous suicide attempts or a history of drug or alcohol abuse and an ancestry of psychotic disorders.
There is no known cure for bipolar disorder, but with good medical care and an effective treatment plan that incorporates therapies, medications and lifestyle changes you can manage your symptoms and live a a healthy life. Even when you feel better, it is crucial to adhere to your treatment plan.