What are the symptoms of bipolar and depression?
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 at
8:35 am
Please. Help me.
Tagged with: Bipolar • depression • Symptoms
Filed under: Bipolar Symptoms
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Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) causes serious shifts in a person’s mood, energy, thinking, and behavior – from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.
During a manic episode, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards, or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, the same person might be too tired to get out of bed and full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder vary widely from person to person, with unpredictable differences in their pattern, severity, and frequency.
Common signs and symptoms of mania include:
* Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
* Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
* Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
* Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
* Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
* Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
* Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
* Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
* Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)
Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:
* Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
* Irritability
* Inability to experience pleasure
* Fatigue or loss of energy
* Physical and mental sluggishness
* Appetite or weight changes
* Sleep problems
* Concentration and memory problems
* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
* Thoughts of death or suicide
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According to the DSM-IV, major depressive disorder (or “depression”) is diagnosed when five or more of the following symptoms of depression are present for most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. At least one of the symptoms must be either persistent sad or “empty” feelings or loss of interest in activities.
* Constant sadness
* Irritability
* Hopelessness
* Trouble sleeping
* Low energy or fatigue
* Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
* Significant weight change
* Difficulty concentrating
* Loss of interest in favorite activities
Go to the GOOGLE search engine and type in “symptoms of bipolar and depression’ You’ll be amazed at some of the things that come up. Sometimes they have tests you can take to see how bad your depression is. If you are really concerned then I would suggest going to your doctor. He can tell you the symptoms and talk to you about the options.
go to effexor.com review phases of depression, bipolar.
also review www,ahrp.org/risks/us/SSRIuse
Avoid Wellbutrin (buproprion) at all costs, will cost severe side effects, muscle aches in thighs/back, inc insomnia, increase appetite loss w 5-7# wt loss and severe hunger/thirst/hypoglycemia. Also causes hair growth halt/loss/thinning in male pattern even in women. Abrupt discontinuation of this med can cause worsening of physical symptoms, ear ringing, muscle pains, teeth clenching, acid stomach, agitation, restlessness,irritability, nause and vomiting at the end of 6 wks, requires medications for pain, tension, sleep, vomiting, stress,
I know, it happened to me, needed prednisone, zantac, benadryl, tramadol, motrin, tylenol, xanax and finally compazine supp for 2-3 wks actual vomiting. Hair is finally growing back since last year .Atleast starting to look normal again. Anti depressants aren’t meant for lifetime use, unless severe sx. min of 6 mo, in which depression goes away on it’s own anyway. Exercise/eat right/health soc situation/coping/resiliance best treatment.
As a mental health professional, rather than listing the symptoms of bipolar and depression, I would advise that you look for resources in the community that can help you out. Starting out by asking a family doctor or going to a free clinic would get you on the right foot. Dont feel alone because no one may understand what you are going through, know that there is help and let someone guide you there. Best of luck.
When someone is diagnosed as bipolar it is because their mood goes between extreme highs and extreme lows. The highs may be anywhere from very high to a lower stage of high. They may also have very low stages to the point that they want to commit suicide. There are two types of bipolar disorder. One is that of bipolar 1 and the other is that of bipolar 2. When one is diagnosed as bipolar 1 it means that they go from one spectrum to the other in extremes at the highest level. When one is diagnosed as bipolar 2 the extremes are still there but at a lower level. Both bipolars have extreme lows which are depression. The old term for bipolar is manic depression which has been used for a long time.
Depression is diagnosed when someone is at a very extreme of low in which they may not be able to function when dealing with activities of daily living. This could involve totally isolating oneself and staying in their room, not taking proper care of oneself and even to the point of wanting to commit suicide.
With both diagnoses it is important that the person who is exhibiting either one is being seen by a professional in the field of mental disorders. Only someone who is trained in these two different disorders is able to treat either one of them in a proper manner.
If you know of anyone who has this diagnosis be the best friend to them by helping seek out someone to help in the medical fields and be supportive when they are having trouble with carrying on their daily needs.