Is It Or Is It Not A Bipolar Symptom?
Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic Depressive Illness, causes dramatic changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Most people experience moderate mood swings, this is normal, although more drastic changes in mood could be a symptom of Bipolar Disorder. 1-2% of the population suffers from bipolar disorder, about 4 million people.
Anxiety
Anxiety may be a symptom of Bipolar Disorder, or it could be a separate condition. Anxiety as a Bipolar symptom is usually more described as "agitation". The patient experiences a need to keep moving, standing up pacing around, racing thoughts, and a lack of focus. Patients race from thought to thought without really finishing anything. When these symptoms are present with irritability it can be a horrible experience people feel desperate to get out of.
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Is It A Bipolar Symptom?
Let's take a closer look
Depression
Depression can be a symptom or an effect of Bipolar disorder. Clearly as shown above the mix of emotions can lead to a feeling of hopelessness. This is the "low" associated with Bipolar disorder. Abnormal lows lead to decreased output at work, poorer over functioning, and lower quality of life. If you feel your depression is more than you can handle see your doctor, he/she can help.
Manic
Manic behavior is described as the "high" of Bipolar disorder. Activities with a negative consequence are normal during this period. Excessive shopping, sexual indiscretions, even talking too much can be associated with a Manic episode. During a Manic episode you may focus on setting goals, have inflated self esteem, or grandiosity.
Bipolar I
Bipolar I Disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the developed world (for ages 15-44). The first episode may occur at any age from childhood to old age. The average age at onset is 21. Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and (more often) depression. Untreated patients with Bipolar I Disorder typically have 8 to 10 episodes of mania and depression in their lifetime.
Manic episodes are characterized by elated mood, over-talkative or racing speed, and hyperactivity or agitation. The average depressive episode lasts 6 months, and the average manic episode lasts 4 months. Initially, the individual is usually diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder. However, once the individual has a manic episode, the diagnosis is changed to Bipolar I Disorder.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II presumes at least one major depressive episode, plus at least one hypomanic episode over at least four days. The same characteristics as mania are present, with the disturbance of mood observable by others, but the episode is not enough to disrupt normal functioning or necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
Those in a state of hypomania are typically the life of the party, the salesperson of the month, and more often than not the best-selling author or Fortune 500 mover and shaker, which is why so many refuse to seek treatment. But the same condition can also turn on its victim, resulting in bad decision-making, social embarrassments, wrecked relationships, and projects left unfinished.
Depression can be a symptom or an effect of Bipolar disorder. Clearly as shown above the mix of emotions can lead to a feeling of hopelessness. This is the "low" associated with Bipolar disorder. Abnormal lows lead to decreased output at work, poorer over functioning, and lower quality of life. If you feel your depression is more than you can handle see your doctor, he/she can help.
Manic
Manic behavior is described as the "high" of Bipolar disorder. Activities with a negative consequence are normal during this period. Excessive shopping, sexual indiscretions, even talking too much can be associated with a Manic episode. During a Manic episode you may focus on setting goals, have inflated self esteem, or grandiosity.
Bipolar I
Bipolar I Disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the developed world (for ages 15-44). The first episode may occur at any age from childhood to old age. The average age at onset is 21. Bipolar I Disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of mania and (more often) depression. Untreated patients with Bipolar I Disorder typically have 8 to 10 episodes of mania and depression in their lifetime.
Manic episodes are characterized by elated mood, over-talkative or racing speed, and hyperactivity or agitation. The average depressive episode lasts 6 months, and the average manic episode lasts 4 months. Initially, the individual is usually diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder. However, once the individual has a manic episode, the diagnosis is changed to Bipolar I Disorder.
Bipolar II
Bipolar II presumes at least one major depressive episode, plus at least one hypomanic episode over at least four days. The same characteristics as mania are present, with the disturbance of mood observable by others, but the episode is not enough to disrupt normal functioning or necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
Those in a state of hypomania are typically the life of the party, the salesperson of the month, and more often than not the best-selling author or Fortune 500 mover and shaker, which is why so many refuse to seek treatment. But the same condition can also turn on its victim, resulting in bad decision-making, social embarrassments, wrecked relationships, and projects left unfinished.
Let's Talk About You
Do Your Think You Have Experienced A Bipolar Symptom?
Give us a brief description of what your going through, maybe we can help.
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- AaronS AaronS Apr 15, 2009 @ 5:37 pm
- I enjoy building these communities, in fact I just made another one about finding the right
Sacramento Family Dentist
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- bipolar_bare bipolar_bare Apr 8, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
- This is a very nice lens. You share a lot of very helpful information here. I'd love it if you'd stop by my lens and say hello when you get the chance.
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- SuperDad26 SuperDad26 Apr 3, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
- Hey Aaron,
Nice lens friend. Thanks for taking time to bring awareness around about this subject.
I have a story also which you can read about at my lens Coping with a Bipolar Spouse!> I have 5 starred your lens and have lens rolled it, and would appreciate if you could do the same for me, when you get time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Michael
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- thebatcave101 thebatcave101 Feb 6, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
- www.youmeandapollo.com has a great article on bipolar and suicide.
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- Sarah Sarah Jul 11, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
- The day before yes, I couldn't concentrate and just wanted to sleep for ages. I was so anxious yesterday that I wanted to get drunk and disappear. Today I love everyone, I'm having marvelous insights into difficult theory papers and I committed to 30 projects.
Learn To Treat Bipolar Disorder Without Expensive Medicine
These Resources give great ways to control your mood swings
by AaronS
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