Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Bipolar Disorder (also known as manic depression) causes extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking and behavior from extreme highs-mania, to extreme lows-depression. Different than regular good days or bad moods, Bipolar Disorder cycles can last days to months and interfere with the ability to function.
Signs and Symptoms:
During manic periods a person with Bipolar Disorder may do many things impulsively, such as quitting a job, shopping sprees, gambling away savings, engage in inappropriate sexual activity or risky behaviors, acting recklessly without thought of consequences. They may have feelings of heightened energy, creativity and euphoria. They might also talk very quickly, or feel all-powerful, invincible. The same person might also become angry, irritable and aggressive towards those who don’t go along with their ideas, or speak out against their behavior. Some might even become delusional or begin to hear voices.
Depression in someone that has Bipolar Disorder is different than regular depression in that treatment by antidepressants can make Bipolar Disorder worse-triggering the manic phase or cause rapid changes between the mood states. Some symptoms are more common in Bipolar Depression than in regular depression such as; irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings and feelings of restlessness. During the Bipolar Depression phase, people tend to speak and move more slowly, sleep more and gain weight. They are more likely to develop psychotic depression, where they’ve lost contact with reality and experience major disability in work and society.
A mixed episode features symptoms of both mania and depression. Typical signs include depression with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia distractibility and racing thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.
Cause:
No one really knows what causes Bipolar Disorder. It is thought that some people are genetically predisposed, though not everyone with a family history develops the illness. Changes in the brain and the outside world also are thought to be involved in the development of Bipolar Disorder.
Triggers:
Stress, substance abuse, certain medications, changes in the seasons and sleep deprivation can trigger an episode with someone who has Bipolar Depression.
When to Get Help:
It is important to get help as soon as you suspect there is something wrong. These symptoms will only get worse if left untreated. Untreated symptoms cause problems with your health, relationships, school and career. Treatment can include medication, therapy, social support and lifestyle changes.