Bipolar disorder is a mental health issue that is characterized by extreme both low and high moods. The highs are characterized by hypomania or mania, while lows are when you feel depressed. The mood changes can also be mixed, meaning you may feel happy and simultaneously depressed. Consult with the best Clinical Psychologist at TalktoAngel to learn more about Bipolar disorder.
Bipolar patients often experience cycles of high and depressed mood that fall within what is known as “manic depression.” If a person’s condition follows the classic pattern diagnosing bipolar disorder is not difficult. However, bipolar disorder can be treacherous. Its symptoms may defy the usual manic-depressive cycle. Sometimes, mild hypomania or mania may be missed. Depression can obscure other aspects of the disease. Sometimes, the symptoms of depression and mania may be present at the same time. In addition, the presence of substance abuse present may cloud the picture.
Depression
In the course of depression, symptoms can include feeling depressed and irritable, or hopeless all the time and lacking energy; difficulties getting things done and remembering them; losing motivation to do everyday things; feelings of emptiness or desperation; feelings of guilt and despair; feeling a sense of despair over everything. Some other symptoms include: Having illogical or confused thoughts; lack of appetite or overeating; trouble sleeping or over sleeping; and at severe level thoughts of suicide accompany severe depression.
Mania
The manic stage of bipolar disorder can be described as feeling extremely happy, excited, exuberant, or speaking very fast and feeling energetic. This stage also entails feeling overconfident and filled with great ideas and making important plans; easily distracted; frequently agitated or annoyed and delusional. They may also experience hallucinations or disturbed or illogical thinking; not wanting to sleep, not eating, or doing activities that can cause harm, like spending huge amounts of money on costly and sometimes expensive items taking decisions or doing things that are completely uncharacteristic and other people consider it to be dangerous or risky.
A pattern of Depression and Mania
Between depressive and manic episodes, it is possible to occasionally have times when you’re in a “normal” attitude. The pattern may not always be identical and some individuals might be affected in a different way, but commonly it is a cycle that includes:
- rapid cycling is when the person suffering from bipolar disorder frequently swings between a high and low state quickly, without having any “normal” time between
- mixed state, where the sufferer of bipolar disorder exhibits symptoms of mania and depression such as excessive activity coupled with depression.
In the event that your mood changes persist for longer than a period of time, but aren’t severe enough to qualify as bipolar disorder, then you might suffer from a minor type of bipolar disorder known as cyclothymia.
Teens who suffer from Bipolar Disorder
A teenager is at a higher risk of developing bipolar disorder when an individual in the family suffers from the disorder. Researchers are still searching for any genes which might trigger the condition. The disorder usually begins at the age of a teen or in the early years of adulthood. It affects girls and boys equally. Teens who suffer from bipolar disorder typically suffer from extreme mood fluctuations.
They can fluctuate between depression and manic. These episodes usually last one or two weeks. However, the symptoms can differ for every teen. The symptoms of bipolar disorder particularly in teens can be similar to other issues. Teens should visit the doctor to determine an assessment.
Certain experts believe bipolar disorder can be under-diagnosed for younger children particularly when the symptoms are more than mood swings or disruptive behaviour instead of changes in energy levels or sleep patterns. This is the reason why the term “disruptive depression” is now used to define teens who exhibit persistent irritability, as well as extreme mood swings or temper outbursts. Bipolar symptoms in teenagers may be uncommon but they are not the same as “manic depression.” ADHD and anxiety disorders and abuse of substances are typically associated with it too, which can confuse the picture.
Treatment Options
Bipolar treatment seeks to decrease the intensity and frequency of episodes of depression and mania in order to let people live as normally as is possible. The majority of people suffering from bipolar disorder are treated with a mix of various treatment options.
- Psychological treatment, such as in-person or online therapy. Both can help you overcome depression and offer advice on how to strengthen relationships
- Lifestyle tips – like exercising regularly and planning activities which give you a feeling of accomplishment as well as advice for improving the quality of your food and getting better rest
- Medicines to help prevent the onset of depression and mania. they are referred to as mood stabilizers, and you should take them each day for a while.
- Medicine to treat the major symptoms of depression and mania, when they occur
You can also talk with the Best clinical psychologist near me, to know more about bipolar disorder and learns ways to manage different symptoms associated with it.
Many people with bipolar disorder receive the majority of their treatment without needing to go to the hospital. But treatment in a hospital could be necessary when your symptoms are extreme or you’re receiving treatment in accordance with the Mental Health Act, as there is a risk that you could self-harm or cause harm to other people.
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