Symptoms of Bipolar Depression – Guilt, Hopelessness and Worthlessness

Bipolar disorder symptoms swing from one cycle to the other. Some may start from  manic episodes, return to normal before cycling into a depressive mode. Because of the two main symptoms of bipolar disease it is possible to divide bipolar disorder symptoms into the two different main mood types; manic  and depressive symptoms. There are over twenty symptoms in bipolar and victims do not usually have all of the twenty symptoms to be considered bipolar. Some symptoms may be stronger than the others and some may not show at all. A person can only be called bipolar when either depressive or bipolar mania symptoms is severe, and frequent. For better information on the symptoms of bipolar we will try to take this feeling of guilt, hopelessness and worthlessness in detail.

What is Guilt?

“Guilt” is first a feeling of responsibility or remorse for something wrong we have committed, this can be either real or imagined as we will see later on. It is our conscience convicting us for the actions and thoughts. While it should be taken as a gift, most people try and talk their way out of it and as it were quench it. Some may describe it like a nagging voice in us. Unless you are a good actor guilty feelings can be seen in our body language and the words we speak. In those with bipolar this guilt feelings seem to come from nowhere, there is no outside source.

Hopelessness

There are three main aspects to feelings of hopelessness; the future does not look bright, loss of inspiration, and no expectations. It is  a pattern of thinking where the person believes that they are trapped in misery with no way out of the situation.

Worthlessness

According to Dr. Beck, worthlessness is a depression mode, where we  feel “the Four Ds”, We feel;

•    Deprived,

•    Defective,

•    Defeated,

•    and Deserted.

Most people would see this as the contributing factor to feelings of low self-esteem.

Destructive Patterns of Thoughts

Connected to like a “switch" in the mind of a person these destructive patterns of thinking can be triggered to cause a flood of hopeless and abhorrent thoughts. Thoughts such as "I am a bum and a failure," "I am always doing things wrong," "Nobody  loves me," "Nothing will get better," "I am not entitled to anything," "I'm not a good person," "Nobody wants to be with me," "No one likes  me," "I don’t trust anyone," and the list continues, until the person's own thinking pattern takes them into a deep, dark and depressive pit.

Important Tips

To help anyone with this type of bipolar depression, do not;

•    Try and stop them doing something you do not like, “don’t do this, don’t do that” sort of thing.

•    Tell them it hurts your feelings.

•    Beg them to do something you want done, because if they cannot do it, the outcome is guilt.

•    Show distrust. Either by words or actions because negative actions will cause negative reactions in the person with bipolar.

•    Negative words or actions.

Anything negative will have a disastrous effect which can  make them more guilty to continue on with their self injuries. Always keep in mind that bipolar is a brain disorder and the person with this mental illness are fighting themselves to stay afloat and you may be the only one who will help them stay alive. For a start always use positive words.

Thoughts and attempts of suicide

Many believe that because of the thought patterns mentioned above, suicide and attempts of suicide is the only way out of those thought patterns for those with severe bipolar symptoms. Thoughts of suicide is the result of negative thoughts, which has no source whatsoever, being present and entertained by bipolar depressive people.

Medical Help

If your friend or relative are showing strong depressive symptoms of bipolar, please seek medical help. Early intervention is critical to the treatment of bipolar depressive disorder symptoms.