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.

Bipolar disorder was once thought to be a condition that was confined to adults only. However, recent evidence indicates that bipolar disorder in children may be as common in young people, ages 14 to 18, as among adults. Adolescents, teenagers and even bipolar in children as young as five are being diagnosed with the illness. Children and bipolar disorder symptoms are a different breed than their adult counterparts. The condition affects children differently and that symptoms of bipolar often mimic other disorders. For instance, a doctor may diagnose a child with ADHD, when they actually suffer from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder in children need to be observed by doctors who have experience in these types of mental health issues so that an accurate diagnosis can be made early.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children

Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children can present themselves in the form of explosive tempers, tantrums, marked irritability, hyperactivity, impulsivity and restlessness or fidgetiness. As you can see, many of the symptoms mimic those of ADHD, and this is the dilemma that many physicians face. A child comes in with the parent complaining of these specific symptoms and the tests used to confirm a diagnosis of either condition are not one hundred percent fail proof because the symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and ADHD are so much alike.

As a parent, observing behaviors in your child such as racing thoughts, a depressed mood, low self esteem, social anxiety, difficulty getting up in the morning, frequent mood swings, rages, oppositional behavior, night terrors and compulsive behavior could be indicative of bipolar disorder and you should have him or her evaluated. Other common symptoms include social anxiety, oversensitivity to emotional triggers, easily distracted, hyperactivity, silly or giddy, racing thoughts, aggressiveness and lethargy.

Symptoms that you may not readily associate with bipolar disorder in children are carbohydrate cravings, bed wetting (this is more prevalent in boys with the disorder), night terrors, excessive daydreaming, rapid speech, bossiness, manipulative behavior, destructive (to property), paranoia. Hallucinations and delusions as well as motor and vocal tics are also hallmark traits of bipolar in children.

Getting a Diagnosis

If you suspect that your child has bipolar disorder, you should understand that getting a diagnosis can be a rather long process. Your child will have to be observed carefully over a period of time to establish consistent behavior patterns. You can aid in this process by keeping a daily log, noting your child’s mood and behavior. Note eating and sleeping patterns, any unusual events that occur either with the child or within the child’s environment and record any statements that your child makes that concern you or you feel may be relevant to their condition. Share this log with your child’s physician or psychiatrist when you begin the diagnosis process.

When you choose a physician for your child who is showing symptoms of bipolar, it is important that you try to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about this mental illness. They should also have a strong understanding of psychiatric drugs and should be current in their knowledge of treatments for mood disorders. It is very important that the doctor you select view you, your child and themselves as a team working to help your child. In short, you want someone on your side, to work with you and who is well versed in bipolar disorder in children

Information on Bipolar Disorder in Children

There are many websites available that offer good information regarding bipolar disorder and child bipolar disorder. If you are concerned that your child may have bipolar disorder, then getting good information through research is a very good start.

Symptoms of Bipolar

Bipolar has a number of symptoms attached to it. Everything from depression and suicidal thoughts to irrational and violent behaviors can be found within the symptom list of bipolar. Mild symptoms that are barely noticeable and do not interfere with daily life can also be a part of bipolar.

Bipolar is also characterized by mood shifts from one extreme to another. A person suffering from bipolar can be overly energetic one day, normal the next day, and on the third day be completely despondent. Other behaviors such as uncontrolled spending, refusing to eat, and extreme fatigue are also symptoms of bipolar.

Symptoms of Bipolar In Children

The symptoms of bipolar are slightly different for children. There are a number of theories as to why children express bipolar disorder differently. While you may still find that children express bipolar disorder with despondency and high energy respectively, there are a host of other symptoms, which can express themselves in children.

One of the biggest is night terrors. Night terrors are similar to nightmares only there is no memory and it is often difficult to wake the child. If these episodes extend past the medically advisable age it may be an indication of bipolar disorder. Only a trained medical professional can make a diagnosis as to whether or not a child is suffering from bipolar.

Another major element on the symptom list for bipolar in children are the types of temper tantrums that can occur. Children who suffer from bipolar generally tend to have temper tantrums that can last for as long as an hour or more. They tend to involve violent movements and may need to be restrained in order to avoid injury.

The Bottom Line

These are just some of the symptoms. One of the biggest difficulties with being able to determine if a child may be suffering from bipolar is the fact that there is such a wide range of symptoms, which can be expressed. The internet is a great place to locate information and lists of symptoms as well as things to watch out for.

If you notice any of these signs consider keeping a journal of them and discuss your concerns with your child's primary care provider. Getting assistance with the symptoms of bipolar in children as soon as possible can ensure that you and your child learn to control and manage the effect this illness has on you and your child's life. Bipolar is a serious illness that can have wide spread effects through the lives of those that suffer from it and their family.

From the very advent of the human race, there has been an uncanny connection between superior or extraordinary intelligence and mental disorders. Even movies and books love to portray this connection in the form of a mad but intelligent scientist or the hallucinating but brilliant artist who is so embroiled in his work that he can’t even remember food.

Findings and Studies

Many studies have suggested that most creative masterminds if not all were patients of bipolar disorder. It’s usually suspected that the very reason why these people were so extraordinarily creative was due to this disorder. This is because one of the major characteristics of the mania period of this disorder is to radically enhance the mental, creative and physical energy. This also may serve as an explanation for the fact that these people had intense concentration and could work for longer periods of time.

Famous People with Bipolar

Some of the great names who were plagued with bipolar disorder were Virginia Wolf who was a great novelist and Sylvia Plath, a great poet of her times. The legendary musician and composer Ludwig van Beethoven also was a patient of this disease.

The Scarlet O’Hara in the movie Gone with the Wind whose real name was Vivien Leigh was also a patient of this Bipolar disorder. She was subjected to a lot of shock treatment for this disease as well.

The master painter Vincent Van Gogh was another Bipolar disorder patient. His masterpiece Starry Night was a result of the nightly sojourns in a mental asylum for the treatment of his eccentricity.

What does it Really Mean?

Though not everyone becomes a genius when they are afflicted with bipolar disorder, however there are still a number of artists and masters who are known to be bipolar. Is Bipolar disorder a reason for this extraordinary creativity and intelligence? Does the emotional instability cause all these creative juices to flow? Science should have the answer to all these questions one day.

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.

What is Bipolar Disease?

Bipolar disease is a common mental illness which affects moods and can also be properly referred to as a mood disorder. The symptoms which are characteristic of the illness are alternating states of depression and euphoria. These mood swings can severely impact the patient’s personal life, career and every other aspect of their life.

The Symptoms of Bipolar Disease

These mood swings are the symptoms of bipolar disease which should be watched for, as these are the signs which commonly lead to a diagnosis of the disorder. If you are in a euphoric state one minute and within a matter of minutes severely depressed, this is a sign that you may be suffering from bipolar disease.

A manic episode is one of the symptoms which is very common and often establishes a diagnosis of bipolar disease. In a manic episode you may act recklessly, need little or no sleep, feel extremely energetic or even experience hallucinations or delusional patterns of thought.

Treatment

The treatment of bipolar disease depends on the patient. Sufferers should keep in mind that not every patient responds to all treatments in the same way. What works very well for one patient may not be at all effective for your bipolar disease.

The Seriousness of Bipolar

Bipolar disease is a serious mental illness and should be treated as one. Treatment is a necessity for patients and it can lead to effective management of the illness.

If you suspect that you may suffer from bipolar disease, it is very important that you see a qualified mental health professional to establish a diagnosis. Be on the lookout for the symptoms of bipolar.

Unless you have the disorder yourself, it is difficult to understand just how disruptive it can be in your life. However, with the assistance of a physician or a therapist, you can begin coping with the disease and start living your life again.

Bipolar disorder diagnosis is becoming more and more common in this day and age. This disorder is described as being one in which the sufferer alternates between extreme highs (mania) and low

Bipolar Symptoms and Bipolar Treatment

Treatment of bipolar disorder will normally begin with a physician recommending bipolar depression medication. Since the lows can be potentially hazardous to the health of someone with the symptoms of bipolar, it is important to treat it first. In recent years, the use of anti seizure medication has become popular as well. Your physician will talk to you about your condition and personal issues and take it all into consideration to come up with the best bipolar treatment options for you.

A huge mistake that many people on bipolar symptoms medication make is to stop taking their medicine all of the sudden. There are all kinds of reasons people do this, some feel sick or strange while taking the medication and others simply do not want to take it anymore. No matter what the reason is, it is imperative that you do not do this. It will cause more problems than it will solve besides you should always consult a medical professional before ending any course of treatment.

Professional Monitoring

Monitoring by a medical professional is standard for the first few days. Your physician will want to carefully watch and see how your body reacts to the medication. In the beginning, you may have an adjustment period while you get used to the various feelings or side effects of the medicine. Medications may make you feel better initially, however the side effects can take several weeks to adjust to. In addition, you may find that one type of medicine is having little or no effect at all, at which time you will need to ask your doctor to prescribe another medication.

Stick to your Plans

The single most important thing you must do is stick to the treatment for your bipolar disorder symptoms. This is not the type of disorder that you want to play around with. The results of ignoring the symptoms of bipolar and treatment can be very dangerous. Remember if you have bipolar symptoms, there are many effective treatments available to you. You do not have to suffer with bipolar disorder as long as you are willing to work with medical professionals to address all concerns and keep the disorder under control.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is characterized by drastic mood swings, where the sufferer may go from ecstatic to depressed in a matter of minutes. One of the bipolar symptoms which is a good indicator is having manic episodes; these manic episodes are one of the bipolar disorder symptoms which differentiate the condition from other mood disorders.

Depression and manic states are bipolar disorder symptoms which should be watched for. Experiencing both states in a short times pan can indicate bipolar disorder.

If you are experiencing bipolar symptoms, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. They can examine you professionally and make an accurate diagnosis – this way, you can begin treatment quickly.

If you are not suffering from bipolar disorder symptoms, then they will typically perform further tests to find out what is causing your mood swings.

Treatment for Bipolar Symptoms

If your symptoms turn out to be bipolar symptoms, then the next step is to get treated for the condition. There are a number of different treatments – which will work best for you depends on a number of factors including your age, your general health, how long you have had the disorder and the severity of your bipolar symptoms.

Treating bipolar disorder is something which should be left to the professionals, no matter how much you may think you know about the condition. Since this is a mood-affecting mental disorder in which depression is common (and depression and mania can both cause people to make irrational decisions), you should never take your treatment into your own hands.

Medication is most likely what your physician will recommend at first. There are however, other things which can help. Sometimes even a change of scenery or shaking up your daily routine can bring some relief from your bipolar disorder symptoms. Bipolar symptoms can be severe – but with a physician’s help, you can get relief from the disorder.

You're Not Alone

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a disease a serious disorder of the brain; with abnormalities of brain chemistry causing extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. It is a medical condition that causes medical problems to such a degree that daily functioning is hampered by the symptoms. The most prominent symptoms of bipolar include extremes of mood known as manic depression or depression and mania. Each phase has its own distinctive set of symptoms which characterizes it.

Symptoms of Bipolar – Depression

The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is very similar to that of major depression. However there are some notable differences. When compared to major depression. Bipolar depression is more likely to include symptoms of low energy. People with bipolar depression tend to speak more slowly and sleep a lot. They are also more likely to have psychotic depression, a condition which they have lost contact with reality.

Some common bipolar disorder symptoms of depression include:

• loss of energy
• prolonged sadness
• decreased activity and energy
• restlessness and irritability
• inability to concentrate and make decisions
• increased feeling of worry and anxiety
• less interest or participation in, and less enjoyment of activities normally enjoyed
• feelings of guilt and hopelessness
• thoughts of suicide
• change in appetite (either eating more or eating less)
• change in sleep patterns (either sleeping more or sleeping less)

Bipolar Symptoms – Bipolar Mania

While people with bipolar mania may feel good at first, they have a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode – gambling away savings, inappropriate sexual activity or making foolish business investments. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive, picking fights, lashing out when others do not go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticize their behavior.

• Common signs and symptoms include:
• either an elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry, and unpleasant mood
• increased physical and mental activity and energy
• racing thoughts and flights of ideas
• increased talking, more rapid speech than normal
• ambitious and grandiose plan
• risk taking
• impulsive activity such as spending sprees, sexual in indiscretion, and alcohol abuse
• decreased sleep without experiencing fatigue
• Hippomania Symptoms

Some people can experience hypomania alone, without experiencing depression. People with this form have increased energy and tend to become more active than usual. They do not, however, have delusions or hallucinations. They do not lose touch with reality in the sense they know who they are and what is real. What can be the problem, however, is that they tend to overestimate either their capabilities or fail to see the obvious risks involved in their ventures. Other signs of hippomania symptoms are as follows:

• inflated self esteem and grandiosity
• increased alcohol consumption
• making lots of plans
• excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
• increased interest in uncharacteristic sexual flirting
• wishing to do several things at one time
• increased need for sleep
• more sensitive than usual
• feel like taking too many responsibilities
• increase in goal- directed activities

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms of Mixed Episodes

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include agitation, irritability, insomnia, appetite changes, loss of contact with reality, and suicidal thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Getting Help

Usually the illness appears suddenly (usually participated by life stresses), although onset may be gradual. Episodes of mania, which can last from days to weeks or months, are generally briefer than episodes of depression. It typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, but may begin in childhood. Bipolar disorder most often manifests itself between the ages of 15 – 24, with 90% of cases diagnosed by the age of 30.

The person, family or friend affected by bipolar manic depression or need to watch for these symptoms and either seek treatment or urge their family member or friend to do so. Support groups, psychiatric therapy and various prescription medications can all help the individual afflicted with bipolar depression to alleviate their symptoms and lead a normal life again.

Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are wrongly thought to be the same. Often they are diagnosed wrongly too; one is diagnosed when the other is the correct diagnosis. This is due to the similarity of the symptoms of bipolar and the borderline personality disorder symptoms.

The lesser known of the two is borderline personality disorder and it is not as widespread. Borderline personality disorder is only about 20% of the mental illness patients hospitalized every year, while 50% of the mental illness patients are hospitalized for bipolar disorder. Borderline personality disorder more commonly occurs in young women, but bipolar hits men and women equally, and in all groups age wise.

Common Symptoms
Patients with bipolar symptoms and symptoms of borderline personality disorder both have the swings in mood that can have depression, anxiety, or violent outburst with them. But the duration of these are weeks or months in the bipolar patients, whereas they only last a day or a few hours for the borderline personality disorder patients.

People with borderline personality disorder also suffer times when they have no clue who they actually are as in likes, dislikes, preferences, and personality. They may even alter their long term type goals often, and they also have trouble focusing on an activity. Being impulsive and going on excessive eating spells, expensive shopping trips, and even having high risk sexual encounters can happen. Symptoms like these can also be mania symptoms for the bipolar.

The patients with borderline personality disorder may also have spells of feeling misunderstood or mistreated, worthlessness, and emptiness. These are also symptoms of the depression that bipolar patients get.

Another borderline personality disorder symptom is how these patients deal with their relationships. They often see relationships from an extreme point of view. The patient is either extremely in love or passionately hates. A patient can totally love a person one moment, then wind up hating them the next moment just because of a minor conflict or problem. Abandonment fears can cause threats of suicide, depression, and rejection in some patients. Bipolar patients can suffer from these same symptoms.

Similarities in Treatment
The treatments for both these disorders are very similar. Most of the time it consist of medication and therapy prescribed by a medical professional. The doctor usually prefers to combine medication with therapy. The cognitive behavioural therapy, that is used with satisfactory results on bipolar symptoms, was actually designed for the patients with borderline personality disorder. Several medications may be prescribed for either disorder with satisfactory results.

Similar to the symptoms of bipolar disorder, not much is known about what causes the borderline personality disorder. A lot of controversial beliefs swirl around about this comparing genetic causes to environmental causes. The research shows that bipolar disorder can be caused by hereditary and biological factors, while the borderline personality disorder is brought on more by environmental factors or certain types of stimuli.

As you have probably noticed, several things are similar between the symptoms of borderline personality disorder and the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Often it is hard to tell the two apart even for the medical professionals. If you happen to suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned here. It is imperative that you go to the proper medical person and get a diagnosis so that you can start treatment immediately. It is important that you never try to diagnose yourself or do self medicating for any of the symptoms of borderline personality or bipolar disorder. You should always seek out the proper medical opinion. Doing it otherwise could make your condition get worse and make any treatment less apt to work well in the future.