Ten Things Everyone Misunderstands About Bipolar Depression Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar Depression Disorder Symptoms

People with bipolar depression may experience difficulty staying at school or at work, strained relationships with family members and friends, and an increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse. Unmanaged symptoms of moderate depression can also cause feelings of irritability and thoughts of suicide.

In addition, to periods of extreme "down" moods, a few people have manic episodes. They can experience delusions, as well as seeing, hearing, or smelling something that's not really there.

1. Feelings of despair or hopelessness

Bipolar depression is characterised by feelings of despair and a sense of worthlessness. During a depressive episode, people may feel depressed, empty and empty, or even hopeless and may also feel a sense of guilt or worthlessness. These symptoms can make it hard to deal with everyday life and can result in a loss of interest in past activities. In extreme instances, feeling devalued could trigger thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

In addition to feeling worthless Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder have difficulty connecting to their good qualities and believe they aren't worthy of being loved. This can be especially difficult in relationships with close people like those with parents or romantic partners. When this happens, it's important to seek assistance from an expert in mental health, or dial 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to speak with someone 24 hours a day.

Bipolar disorder can cause depression and mania at the same time. This is referred to as a mixed episode. During this time it is possible for a person to experience depression-like symptoms and the high energy and false beliefs that are associated with mania at the same time. Mania is characterized by feeling joyful and exuberant as well as laughing and talking often, feeling confident and ambitious, as well as experiencing hallucinations and delusions.

Combining therapy and medication can help combat these ailments. Stress reduction techniques including a healthy diet, and a regular sleep routine can also help. It is important that you stick to the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor, as abruptly stopping it could trigger severe episodes. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can help you work through the issues that are contributing to your mood swings.

2. A decrease in interest in activities you used to enjoy

A decline in enthusiasm for activities you usually like is one of the indicators of depression. This could be due to activities like hobbies, work or time spent with friends and family members. Remember that depression is an illness and it can take time to feel better. You should still consult your doctor for treatment of your symptoms.

People suffering from bipolar disorder have intense mood swings as well as energy levels and levels of activity. This can trigger periods when you feel "up," elated or very "up" (known by the term mania) and then periods where you feel "down," sad, and "down." Bipolar disorder can cause mood swings that can last for days, weeks, or even months.

The most prevalent kind of depression is known as major depression. It can be triggered by a stressful event that has occurred in your life, for example, losing your job or the death of a close relative. It is important to remember that depression isn't like the temporary negative feelings you may feel in response to an incident. Depression is persistent, severe and doesn't disappear by itself.

Your doctor may treat your depression with psychotherapy or medication. The use of medication can help you manage your mood swings and help prevent them from happening, but it's important to take your medication on a regular basis according to the prescriptions of your physician. The medications for depression include antidepressants as well as mood stabilizers, such as lithium. There is more information about specific medications, including side effects and warnings on the FDA website. Some people 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. It is difficult to concentrate

Bipolar disorder is defined by periods of excessive energy and activity (manic episodes or "manic episodes") and is then severe depression. This can make it difficult to focus on other tasks or work. It can also cause problems at home or in relationships. Family and friends are usually the first to detect a change in a person’s behavior.

The difficulty in concentrating could be an indication of a medical condition, like a head injury, or neurological issue. If you have these symptoms, it's crucial to talk to your doctor for an evaluation.

It is normal to experience difficulties concentrating when you are tired or stressed. This is a temporary issue and typically improves when the person rests or becomes more relaxed. Mental illness like anxiety or depression can cause problems with concentration. It is crucial to get a correct diagnosis, as it will help the doctor choose the most effective treatment.

Researchers found that the difficulty in concentrating was linked to trait worry, as well as all three clinical severity indices. This is different from earlier studies that indicated that difficulty concentrating did not correlate with other GAD symptoms once depression was statistically controlled (Joormann and Stober, 1999).

If you're worried about your concentration, speak to your doctor. Combining therapy with medication can be helpful. It could take months or even years to come up with the right treatment plan, and you'll have to follow it carefully. But seeking treatment as soon as you can could reduce the severity of manic and depressive episodes. It also can prevent the occurrence from happening again. Other strategies for prevention include keeping a mood journal to identify the recognizing common signs of depression of an episode and avoid or minimize stress.

4. Feelings of guilt, shame and a sense of inadequacy

Depression can trigger feelings of self-loathing or feeling devalued. It's important to remember that these feelings aren't caused by you and that you aren't worthy of these feelings. If your mood gets too extreme and you are contemplating of suicide, it's a mental health emergency and you should seek help immediately.

Some people with bipolar disorder have episodes of both depression and mania. These are called mixed episodes. During a mixed episode you might experience both low and high, however the highs aren't quite as intense as the lows. There are also rapid mood fluctuations, causing you jump from one state into another.

The physical signs of depression 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. During a manic or hypomanic period it is more likely that you spend money and take on dangerous behaviors. If you're having difficulty managing your finances, you should think about appointing someone to handle them on your behalf.

If you have mood symptoms lasting for 2 weeks or longer, it's a good idea to consult your doctor. They will inquire about your symptoms and look for symptoms of bipolar disorder. They might suggest that you keep an account of your mood or a chart to determine whether there are 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 they have concerns regarding your security. You can find a list helpful contacts and resources on the Bipolar UK website.

5. Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

Bipolar depression can be difficult to diagnose. Inform your doctor if you feel depressed, hopeless or worthless. It may take several months or even years before you and your physician find the right treatment plan for your needs.

Bipolar disorder is characterised by periods of extreme elation, excitement and energy (known collectively as manic episodes) as well as periods of extreme sadness, hopelessness and indifference (known collectively as depressive episodes). These mood swings can make it difficult to complete everyday tasks. These mood swings can be accompanied by feelings of anger and impulsivity. These mood episodes can also result in sleeplessness and a change in appetite.

These episodes may last up to a week and occur on a regular basis throughout your life. They can be triggered by certain events and drugs or alcohol. Life events that stress you, like moving, divorced or married, or getting new work or losing your old one can cause a psychotic episode. Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines can also cause an episode. Certain over-the-counter medicines like antidepressants and sleep aids, can also cause an episode.

Bipolar disorder can cause depression that is severe and may increase the possibility of suicide. Suicide is more likely for people who have frequent depressive episodes mixed episodes or the family history of suicide or a young adult depression symptoms development of the disease. Other risk factors include previous attempts or a history of drug or alcohol abuse and an ancestry of psychotic disorders.

Bipolar disorder cannot be treated however, you can manage the symptoms and live a healthy lifestyle with the aid of a medical professional and a treatment plan that includes therapies, medications and lifestyle modifications. It is important to stick to your treatment plan even when you feel better.