With early bipolar treatment families can live a normal life.

In the United States alone, 5.7 million adults are diagnosed with  bipolar manic depressive disorder. Also, of the 3.4 million American children and adolescents diagnosed of depression are highly likely to experience bipolar depression or bipolar manic depressive disorder symptoms. The National Health Institute of Mental Health (NHIMH) also states that the condition can reduce up to 9.2 years life span caused by suicide or self-destructive behavior. Hence, bipolar depression or bipolar manic depressive disorder is one of the leading causes of human disability.

Symptoms of Bipolar – Depression
Definition

Bipolar manic depressive disorder is a psychiatric illness that causes unusual and sudden changes to mood, activity and energy levels, which affect an individual's ability to carry out their day to day tasks. Manic depression symptoms go from feeling very sad, helpless and despaired  to shift of feeling euphoric happiness, being overly active and practically on top of the world. The problem with manic episodes is it may severe relationships, affect job and school performance, or even cause suicide.

Symptoms

Bipolar manic depressive disorder symptoms include high levels of energy, inability to sleep, having big plans for activities, being restless, uneasy and talkative. Bipolar depression symptoms include low energy phases with negative emotions such as feelings of guilt, hopelessness, loss of appetite, anxiety and guilt. A patient may experience several of these symptoms for a few days, weeks or even months.

Bipolar symptoms can occur at a very young age, but most usually occur during late teen or early adult years.  According to the Bipolar disorder statistics, women are three times more prone to experiencing bipolar episodes than men. The National Health Institute of Mental Health also states that having a bipolar disorder history in the family may increase one's risk of developing bipolar symptoms.

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosis involves physical examinations, interview, lab tests like blood work and brain scans and evaluation of the patient's medical history. After a complete diagnostic evaluation, the doctor may provide referral to a trained mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist, who is more experienced in handling bipolar disorder. Proper and immediate diagnosis is extremely important in helping bipolar manic depressive disorder sufferers lead a normal life. It will also help provide the right kind of treatment that will reduce the frequency or severity of the symptoms.

Treatment

A combination of medication and psychotherapy is usually recommended to effectively prevent relapse of bipolar manic depressive disorder episodes. Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproic acid, and anticonvulsants), atypical antipsychotic (olanzapine, aripiprazolw, quetiapine, risperidone) and antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed among bipolar patients. These are usually prescribed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. In some cases, sleep medications or sedatives are recommended to patients having trouble sleeping. Psychotherapy or ‘talk therapy' provides support, guidance and education among bipolar patients as well as their families. It involves several approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family-focused therapy, intrapersonal and social rhythm therapy and psycho education.

Warning

There are other illnesses that may coexist with bipolar manic depressive disorder, making it more difficult to diagnose and treatment. Substance abuse may prolong or trigger bipolar symptoms and cause behavioral problems associated with bipolar manic disorder. Anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress, social phobia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may overlap with bipolar disorder. Also, people suffering this condition have higher risks of developing thyroid disease, migraine headaches, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other physical illnesses. Hence, seeking professional help upon experiencing symptoms of bipolar depressive or bipolar manic disorder is advised.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a condition that involves dealing with two completely different spheres of mood disorder. The first is the "up" phase known as mania and the other sphere is the "down" phase known as depression. Some have an extremely inaccurate understanding of these symptoms as they assume mania is a positive symptom that counterbalances the negatives of depression. This is not the case as mania can prove to be extremely dangerous.

Bipolar Mania

Mania can include symptoms such as racing thoughts, excessive energy, irritability, insomnia, delusions, and even hallucinations. These are certainly harmful symptoms since they can impair judgment and cloud cognitive thinking. Mania also contributes to attention deficit issues since the ability to concentrate is clouded by such seemingly irrational thinking.

The depression based symptoms of bipolar disorder can be somewhat jarring since they can have a seriously negative impact on a person's mental state. A severe sense of sadness, despair, anxiety, hopelessness, and extreme loss of energy are all common forms of depressive symptoms. At their worst, such a state of mind can lead to thoughts of suicide.

More Symptoms

Bipolar disorder symptoms do not appear in a 50-50 manner. In other words, you do not alternative equally between mania and depression. The swings could involve being manic 75% of the time and depressed 25%. Really, there is no standardization in regards to how the condition manifests. Regardless of how they do, the fact remains they do definitely have a serious impact on a person's mental state.

The presence of bipolar symptoms should lead someone to seeking an evaluation from a qualified mental health professional. Generally, a board certified psychiatrist would be the best professional to speak with. Based on a proper evaluation, the steps to finding a proper treatment method can be undertaken. With the proper treatment, the impact of the bipolar symptoms can be diminished to the point they do not affect the person's life in too severe of a manner.

Various Treatments

The treatments employed to deal with bipolar disorder can vary. Often, prescription medication is employed to deal with the condition. Counseling and therapy is employed as well and can often lead to good results. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used and can reverse a number of problems in the onset of the condition.

Those wishing to learn more about the condition of bipolar disorder should explore the various resources available.

Characteristics of Manic Depression Disorder Symptoms:

For families looking for relevant information on the different manic depression symptoms, it can depend on the severity of the manic depression disorder symptoms and what seems to trigger the symptoms. Bipolar is characterized by mood swings that can change rapidly, but some of the more severe cases can be marked by several days of deep depression where a person is unable to function or get out of bed followed by a period of euphoric emotions and high energy.

In children, adolescents and adults manic depression disorder symptoms can cause irritability, suicidal thoughts over little mishaps. Depending on the severity of the chemical imbalance, mood swings can be extreme, causing the child to act crazily with anti-social behaviors. Typically, children will have signs of hyperactivity during manic phases and display signs of rage, temper tantrums, fidgety, impulsive and aggressive behaviors during the depression stages.

Early Warning Signs of Manic Depression Disorder Symptoms in Children:

Children are more active than adults, so racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, rapid speech, suicidal talk or thoughts and excessive aggressiveness or violence should be addressed immediately in children. These behaviors can lead to more severe symptoms later if the symptoms are not controlled early enough. Treating bipolar disorder or manic depression in children can help them lead a productive life by treating manic depression disorder symptoms early. Treatments such as healthy diet, daily exercises, natural remedies and behavior modifications, can also be taken up.

Treating Manic Depression Disorder Symptoms:

Treating bipolar disorder can involve medication to change the serotonin levels, with anti-anxiety medications and therapies to prevent the chemical imbalance in the brain from occurring.

There are several methods for treating manic depression disorder or manic depression. Because the body and the nervous system have their own defense systems, the hormone release or lack of release of the hormone, serotonin, has been found to be closely linked to the disorder. Treating bipolar disorder or manic depression disorder symptoms means keeping the chemical balance in check. This can be done either through medication, relaxation therapies, behavior modification or natural remedies and ingredients that are healthy and more resilient against stress. There is no need to doom children to a lifelong fate of prescription medication, if you heed the early warning signs and symptoms.

The mental illness – Bipolar is always known by the name manic depressive illness, manic depression, mania and depression symptoms etc. The name bipolar mood disorder is a new name added to the list already under bipolar. Bipolar mood disorder is the new name better describing the two severe mood swings – of depression and mania.

Those with bipolar mood disorder go through recurrent moods of depression and elevated moods. Both these two moods can be just mild to quite extreme. There are two terms mostly used -'mania' and ‘depression’, to describe the most extreme state of happiness and over activity “mania” and the lows with less or no activities depression. Many people may go through bipolar disorder with only the mania episodes and no depression. It can also be true the other way around.

What Causes Bipolar Mood Disorder?

No one really knows what causes bipolar mood disorder but, it is believed that this mental illness is caused by a few factors combined, these includes- stress, genes, biochemistry and even the different seasons.

Genetic factors

Recent studies on close relatives have identified that children whose parents or members of the family having bipolar are likely to have this mental illness. In other words children of parents with bipolar have a greater risk of taking on the disorder.

The Biochemical factors

It is widely known and believed bipolar mood disorder are linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain which can be controlled by the use of bipolar medication.

Stress

A lot of people have suggested that stress can play a part in stimulating bipolar symptoms, but that may not always be the case. One thing is certain – this mental illness itself causes stressful events (such as divorce or a failed business), which a lot of people blame it on the illness.

Seasons

While we do not know why Mania mostly happens in spring, and depression during winter – it is believed that it may be due to the temperature.

Symptoms of Bipolar Mood Disorder


Mania Symptoms – Elevated mood
• Feeling very, very good with oneself and being invincible.
• Lots of energy with reduced need for sleep.
• Very irritable if people disagree with their unrealistic ideas or plans for example.
• Racing thoughts – their mind are so full of ideas to the point of busting out.
• Spending large sums of money and very high sex libidos.
• Very strong belief that they are talented or gifted. The can even act as if they are a king or a famous film star.
• They can be reckless – they will be angry if someone tells them that.

Depression Symptoms

• Loses interest and pleasure in activities enjoyed before.
• May withdraw and stop seeing friends.
• Avoid social activities.
• Stop doing simple tasks such as shopping and washing.
• Can be overwhelmed by deep sadness.
• Lose their appetite, eventually losing weight.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Strong feelings of guilt, hopelessness and helplessness.
• Attempt suicide or committing suicide.
• False beliefs (delusions) of persecution or guilt and feel they are evil.

Bipolar Treatment

With the right diagnosis and medication people can live normal lives and manage their household and business commitments. Anyone with symptoms mentioned above must sought medical advice. The golden rule says “early is better than late”.

Bipolar II or Bipolar 2

Not like bipolar I, bipolar II does not involve manic episodes. There are four types of Bipolar Disorders, bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar NOS and Cyclothymic Disorder. Bipolar II Disorder is marked by at least one severe episode of depression and at least a hippo manic symptom moving into psychotic mania – this according to – DSM-IV-TR – the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Between bipolar 1 and bipolar II, bipolar 2 can be quite difficult to diagnose, because bipolar II is similar to comorbid (combined) anxiety and depression.

How common can we Expect Bipolar II?

Most experts believe that bipolar II is the most common form of Bipolar, with researchers even saying that it affects more than five percent of the whole population. While Bipolar Disorder may initially develop in late adolescence or early adulthood , some children may have bipolar symptoms as early as age two only later to be diagnosed as bipolar.

Should we expect Different kinds of Bipolar II?

When 4 or more mood episodes of bipolar illness happening within one year period, that person can be in the group of a rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. But, lots of experts consider this to be quite a conservative definition, because some individuals experience several mood episodes within a week, or even in a day. When patients have these changes daily or weekly it is said that they are going through ultra rapid-cycling. Much more common in women than in men – rapid cycling have the tendency to develop much later during the period of the illness and is very difficult to diagnose and treat.

Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder

Another way of looking at bipolar II disorder is- it is a milder form of a bipolar disorder, which includes cases of depression that interchange with hypomania not mania symptoms. Some of the signs are:

• having a continuous, high or irritable mood, but the absence of psychosis, or loss of touch with reality, found in severe manic symptoms.

• At least one severe episode of depression, and one hippo manic episode. Patients with bipolar II symptoms are not psychotic with delusions and hallucinations.

Bipolar II Treatment

Although bipolar II is probably not caused by traumatic experiences, such factors as abuse can affect the recovery of a bipolar II victim . It is good to approach bipolar II with both medication and therapy for full recovery. When these two are combined together – bipolar medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, victims of bipolar II respond quickly and successfully. With early treatment, bipolar I and II patients can live a more healthy and normal lives and also attain successful relationships with their loved ones.

Bipolar disorder symptoms which are psychotic can be present in bipolar one. It must be noted that when psychosis symptoms are present, it automatically rules out bipolar II disorder. But before we dwell into the finer detail of Psychotic symptoms, I think that it is important to define what psychosis is. It is the loss of contact with the truth, which includes delusions and hallucinations.

Psychosis

The symptoms of psychosis is mostly associated with bipolar mania, bipolar 1, schizoaffective and schizophrenia disorders. There are other conditions where this psychosis symptoms can be present and this includes  dementia, postpartum psychosis,  Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and depressive episodes. While this has not been proven, it is believed that the use of certain illicit drugs, like methamphetamine, can bring about a psychotic episode.

Hallucinations

Many people associate hallucinations (hearing inner voices or sounds that are not real) with schizophrenia. While visual hallucinations is quite a common type, it is usually not associated with bipolar. Hallucinations can be experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder symptoms especially when in a depressive or mania episode.

Delusions – pronounced = de-LOO-zhuns

When people are deluded because of bipolar they are simply believing in something that is in fact not true. Some types of delusions and their information may include:

·     Delusions of grandeur – believing that they are both famous and quite important and that they are a god.

·     Delusional jealousy – this jealousy arises in the belief that their partner are not faithful when in fact it is not the truth.

·     Paranoid or persecutory delusions – it is the belief that someone is following, spying and secretly listened to you.

·     Delusions of reference – Strongly thinking that proceeding events have a special meaning only for you.

·     Other "unusual" delusions – believing they are a lion, your partner is an cat, or that big giant worms make big tunnels for trains to go through.

·     Delusions are just one aspect of the psychotic features of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Also included are some other psychiatric and medical conditions.

The Link Between Bipolar and Psychosis

Usually the same psychotic symptoms that appears in bipolar I disorder can be found in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders.  It has been observed that physical illnesses that can imitate bipolar disorder symptoms do cause psychosis.

Catatonia

While catatonia is firstly a schizophrenia symptom of schizoaffective disorder, it can be noticed although rarely as a psychotic symptom of bipolar disorder symptom. A lot of people think of catatonia as catatonic stupor, where victims sits absolutely motionless and doesn't respond to anybody and anything. There are many symptoms and different forms of catatonia, which we will not try to go into detail.

Seek Help

If anyone you know is showing psychosis symptoms mentioned above, please do not hesitate to ask for help because it may be a mental health problem related to or not related to bipolar disorder symptoms. The very fact that the person is showing psychosis symptoms is good enough reason for us to do something fast because it is serious.

Disorder in the Brain

In a number  of studies recently, it has been found that  several areas of the brain were found to be abnormal especially in the intra-cellular function of the brain function, these includes cell receptors and neurotransmitter functions. Because neurotransmitters are linked to mood disorders, it is also seen as an  important player in the development and treatment of these disorders “+”bipolar.

Disorder in Thoughts

Because of the malfunctioning or the disorder in the brain system  “racing thoughts or thinking fast” will occur. These are thoughts that does not seem to go away or some would say, “it won't be quiet.”Typical of these disorder “+”bipolar thoughts, they are in the victim’s consciousness and seem to be in the background as it were and mixed with other thoughts. If that is not bad enough these ideas in the mind taking over a patients whole being it is running around in the victim’s head like a wild horse out of control.

Disorder in the Feelings and Moods

Very often victims with this brain disorder “+” bipolar manic-depression have mood experiences that tend to shift from high (mania) to low(depression) and back again(hypomania) in varying stages and  severity. People with these brain disorder “+”bipolar have feelings, but it is just too many of it all at once. These people can become so obsessed with wanting  to do everything. With this disorder, happy is happy, sad is sad there are no in between and these immense – feelings can be overpowering.

Disorder in Relationships

Without proper medications, victims of this disorder “+”bipolar can cause a lot of unnecessary frustration in a relationship. The very shifting of moods can be quite difficult for others who are not bipolar because they would not know where they stand. When depressed they would not like to talk and at the manic stage they have been known to be promiscuous and so talkative you cannot get in. You would think that when at their hippomanic stage at least you can have a good conversation, but most people feel exhausted after being with a person who is hippomanic.

Bipolar – What is?

When you add disorder”+”bipolar together you come up with a Shifting of Moods, thoughts, feelings and behavior problems. Unlike other mental disorders, like eating, development, personality, ambulatory and other disorders, bipolar is a shifting disorder and that is the reason we call it “bipolar”. The word Bipolar describes two opposite and extreme thought patterns, feelings and behaviors, which can switch within hours or weeks of each other.

Disorder “+”Bipolar Medications

It is important to work with your doctor to get the right dose of medication. While you must be patient, do not be contented for any medicine especially those that makes you feel miserable. Always consult your doctor of any side effects of the prescribed drugs you are taking. Doctors can only make the right diagnosis from what you tell them, to adjust or to switch your medications. If worse comes to worse, “DO NOT STOP” your medication because it can be very dangerous. Always work with your psychiatrist or health professional in your area.

Headaches: Fairly common in people experiencing depression. These headaches can range from mild to severe and can be either linked to bipolar illness or bipolar medications. Because medication works differently in all of us some bipolar victims can experience these migraines when taking their prescriptions and others their headaches disappear with bipolar medications.

Back pain: Those already suffering from back pain can get worse with the illness. Acute back pain can be a sign of other illness in the muscles and arteritis (not to be confused with arthritis).

Muscle aches and joint pain: There are over 800 causes of muscle pain and over 200 causes of muscle cramps. Bipolar depression can make any chronic pain worse than before.

Chest pain: Because chest pain can be linked to depression it is important to be checked by an expert. It can be a sign of bigger problems.

Digestive problems:  There are two main causes of digestive problems one is diet and the other one stress. Those suffering from a bipolar symptom can experience regular constipation problem because of drugs or stress which is  bipolar related.

Fatigued and exhausted: Even with lots of sleep they will still feel tired and worn out and getting out of bed can be a big problem.

Not eating and Craving: Some people with depression do not feel like eating and lose weight while some others find certain craving for certain foods like carbohydrates.

The two Types of Symptoms

Bipolar symptoms are not all emotional because there are physical symptoms and changes in the body. One good example of a bipolar symptom is the  slowing down of food digestion when depressed or stressed, which can cause all sorts of problems in the stomach.

Body Chemicals

While depression is  related to an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain,  these same chemicals play an important role in how pain is felt in the body. Many experts believe that depression can make pain feel differently especially with those suffering from bipolar disorder.

Treating Physical Depressed Pain

It is important to treat your bipolar depression either with therapy or by prescribed drugs, for this can help in resolving the problem of physical pain. Always make sure you inform your doctor about the physical symptoms you are going through because you may need additional medication. Some doctors have prescribed anti-anxiety drugs for insomnia which have helped patients to relax and sleep well.

Other Treatments

There are other treatments for the easing the pain of physical symptoms – like cognitive behavioral – which  teaches  you ways to cope better with the pain. Many doctors can miss the physical symptoms because they do not know that the physical symptoms are caused by bipolar depression.

It is not easy to experience the death of a loved one, but even harder for families and friends to go through the pain of losing someone special through suicide. They have to live with the thought of suicide and the stigma that goes with it. Under the headings of thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, and feeling dead or detached may sound like they are different terms but in actual fact they mean the same because they are all preoccupations with death. Can we link all suicidal thoughts and suicide actions to be associated with bipolar disorder symptoms? If a person is just being suicidal and no mood swings showing, maybe the person is not bipolar. In these cases, other factors not associated with bipolar are at work.

Other Suicidal Thought Triggers

Suicide and being suicidal is a global phenomenon which happens to people of all races, nationalities, creeds, religions, rich and poor alike. The main cause of these terrible acts is depression and this can be due to lots of reasons:
•     Rejection: of families or a lover.
•     Failure: with finance or school.
•     Isolation: from social groups and friends, family and romantic relationships.
•     Lack of: self esteem and self worth.
•     Future: no hope for the future.
•     No fun: A day-to-day activity brings no fulfillment.

Depression

Depression can occur either as a result of similar circumstances we have mentioned above, or clinical depression in bipolar or other mental illnesses. The terms depression or depressed is usually referred to sadness and other related human emotions and behaviors which some people label a syndrome or a disease. It is believed that some depressed or suicidal people are born with what some call a "suicide brain" which is not linked to bipolar. This is often caused by a birth defect or a child going through painful experiences like sexual and physical abuse.

Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is a biological influence on the brain and is linked to heredity, hormones, stress, illness, drugs, alcohol use and neurotransmitter malfunction. One important factor that must be considered is that bipolar disorder victims experience mood swings, from  extreme happiness (bipolar mania) to feelings of intense depression and despair(bipolar depression) and with both these feelings together, periods of high and low (hypomania).It is usually in their lows (depression) episode that the thought of suicide usually occurs.

What Goes on in the Mind?

For a person with bipolar symptoms, the thought of  suicide as an idea that it will  save them from continuing on with the experience of pain can be quite  real. Some or most would also feel as though it is the right thing to do and their only option. Almost all suicidal victims believe in the idea that it must be achieved because it is the best and only way out of their emotional pain.

Help

When people with bipolar are suicidal or thinking about committing suicide, they should be taken seriously and attention must be given as soon as possible. It is important that a mental health professional or a physician be sought. Because the risk of suicide is higher at the early stages of bipolar and recognizing the illness early may decrease the risk of a loved one being lost through suicide.

Symptoms of Bipolar – Depression

Depression is the most common mood of bipolar disorder symptoms. It will look somewhat similar to deep depression however; there are a few notable differences. Symptoms of bipolar depression differ from classic depression in that it is accompanied by extremely low energy. A person who is bipolar and depressed will noticeably speak slower and sleep quite a bit. They are also more likely to suffer psychotic depression, another of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Psychotic depression is a condition where the person has lost all sense of reality.

If you or a family member think that you could be suffering from this disorder, you will want to be on the look out for some of these basic symptoms. Bipolar depression will often be characterized by listlessness, deep abiding sadness, low energy or activity and restless irritability. As the depression progresses you could see or feel guilt, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, confusion, worry and anxiety. Anyone of these symptoms of bipolar depression should be taken seriously and treated by a medical professional.

An important factor to note is that bipolar symptoms may vary between people and age groups. Adolescent bipolar symptoms are different to that in adults.

Bipolar Symptoms – Bipolar Mania

The mania side of bipolar symptoms may seem good at first, everything is great and you feel on top of the world. Many times however people will begin to get out of control and behave in a reckless manner. Some common activities include extreme gambling, sexual promiscuity, or making risky business deals. Aggression and irritability are also common bipolar disorder symptoms. A sufferer may lash out or pick fights with those who do not agree with them and be critical of those who mention the irrationality of their behaviors.

Other signs and symptoms can include intense euphoria and extreme physical or mental activity. These will often lead to behaviors such as rapid speech, big plans, risky behaviour, impulsive spending or sexual activity and alcohol or drug abuse. A person suffering with bipolar symptoms may also have insomnia with no fatigue and Hypo mania symptoms.

In some cases, a person may have only the hypomania bipolar symptoms with no signs of depression. They will have a lot of energy and become more active than they normally are. On the up side, they do not suffer from delusions, hallucinations or loss of reality. A person with this kind of bipolar disorder symptom will know who and where they are. The problem comes in when they overestimate their abilities or cannot see the risks they are taking.

Hypo mania symptoms can include  delusions of grandeur, alcohol abuse, excessive desire for pleasure in many forms and the formation of many plans. All these symptoms can lead to riskier behaviour such as extreme flirting, taking on too much and dangerous activities. Again these are not bipolar symptoms to be taken lightly.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms of Mixed Episodes

Mixed episodes will have a mixture of bipolar disorder symptoms. Both manic and mania will be present. Symptoms of bipolar mixed episodes include anger, insomnia, loss of appetite, increased appetite, delusions, suicidal tendency and more. These moods combined with high energy create a high probability of suicide.

Getting Help

This illness may appear suddenly without warning especially in high stress life styles, however the onset of it can be more gradual. Mania symptoms of bipolar disorder can last from a few days to even months however, they are generally shorter than periods of depression. The disorder will usually be present in young adults but can begin in early childhood. Bipolar disorder symptoms will normally be present between the ages of 15-24 and nearly 90% of all cases are caught before age 30.

Anyone who sufferers from bipolar manic depression or has a friend or loved one  should keep a close watch  for bipolar disorder symptoms and immediately seek medical treatment. Many options available are support groups, therapy, and medications that will calm the symptoms of bipolar disorder. With the correct treatment plan, the symptoms of bipolar can be controlled and the patient can lead a happy normal  life.