Bipolar Disorder Forum - Signs And Treatment of Bipolar Disorder


Signs And Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

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Georgia59

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Signs And Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Posted: 12-29-07 12:26pm


Thought this might be helpful- From NIMH- "What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings%u2014from overly %u201Chigh%u201D and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include: * Increased energy, activity, and restlessness * Excessively %u201Chigh,%u201D overly good, euphoric mood * Extreme irritability * Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another * Distractibility, can%u2019t concentrate well * Little sleep needed * Unrealistic beliefs in one%u2019s abilities and powers * Poor judgment * Spending sprees * A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual * Increased sexual drive * Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications * Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior * Denial that anything is wrong A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present. Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include: * Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood * Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness * Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex * Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being %u201Cslowed down%u201D * Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions * Restlessness or irritability * Sleeping too much, or can%u2019t sleep * Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain * Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury * Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts " Bipolar disorder can involve any combination of these highs and lows. There are also hypomanias, which can seem like a high-functioning, positive experience, or dysthymia, which is like hypo-depression. Mixed states are also possible, where one feels sad, depressed, and energized at the same time. Bipolar I is the classic type- recurrent manic and depressed episodes. Bipolar II involves episodes of depression mixed with hypomanic episodes. If 4 or more episodes occur within a year, it is considered rapid-cycling. Medication is the most common treatment for bipolar disorder. Some therapies, such as CBT can be useful as well. In cases where neither work, ect is sometimes used. Herbal/nutritional supplements such as St. John's wort or Omega-3 fatty acids have shown to have some effect, but are not thoroughly studied. If you plan on using any supplements, make sure you discuss them with your doctor- some can have effects on medication you are taking. It is important to keep in close contact with your psychiatrist and monitor you daily mood, sleep patterns, energy, etc. so your doctor can adjust your medication as necessary. Though there is no known cure for bipolar disorder, it can be treated. http://www.nimh.ni h.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder /complete-publication.shtml

Rosie H

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Posted: 01-09-08 17:07pm


wow the depressive side of things is me, on a daily basis......scary

icecream

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BD reply Posted: 02-26-08 12:12pm


This was very helpful.

Seraph

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Posted: 02-29-08 03:42am


Welcome to my world...

Cuban

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Posted: 02-29-08 17:41pm


Yea That depression part was all me

Rocket111

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Posted: 03-02-08 05:58am


I am wondering whether it is normal in Bipolar disorder to lose your sense of self and be unable to think clearly.

Pyvsi

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Never been officially diagnosed Posted: 03-05-08 23:39pm


But that's me. I tend to withdraw and be really embarrassed with myself after doing the things listed under "manic." When in depression mode. I push people away because the one thing I want more than anything is to be left alone - but then I get lonely. I'm afraid I will be too much of a burden on my husband. He's the only person I talk to. I have been strong for him when he was having some depressing times. Blah. Meh.

Seraph

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Posted: 03-06-08 03:43am


* Nods * In terms of what you listed... 1. Apart from what you mentioned, I get "Freak out" attacks (slapping the back of my neck, and random gestures as well as random non-sensical speech in non-existing language). 2. That is sooo me...yet you somehow want "help" and "a way out of the situation"...sometimes so badly I "need" to die. 3. That's why I don't have a gf...Afraid I would be too emotionally high maintenance. It's nice to have someone that has gone through at least the run-of the mill depression that all ppl get. It makes it easier for them to, not necissarily understand, but at least support you in your time of need. Most of my family is really bad at that...they usually end up making things worste and thinking they are "helping" me... Sigh

freakyfashionista

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Posted: 03-09-08 22:44pm


yeah, my family have convinced me that any emotional problems people have are their own faults and should be cured by them. it's so common to have this stuff be hard to tell, esp with bipolar because you change all the time--with me it's like many times a day. I've gone on antidepressants but now feel like I'm manic all the time. so I kind of like it--I'm energized and giggly but in a kind of scary way, like not being able to sit still. better than depressed though. has anyone experienced this and do you have any advice? I don't know if this is classic bipolar, or rapid cycling or something. seems like there's normally more depression than mania but now on antidepressants I'm really manic.

Seraph

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Posted: 03-10-08 05:23am


Medication's for these kind of problems, is very much a balancing act. You should tell your psychiatrist/psychologist about the switch so him/her can assess it and see if the dosage/med's needs to be adjusted. A lot of times, we tend to not know at all what is supposed to be "normal". What you are feeling might even be how you are supposed to feel but because you never really experienced it, it feels unnatural. To give an example...I have always stood and walked "improperly" due to having flat arches and bilatteral-patella alta. When at the Biokineticist, doing an exercise, she would tell me "Straighten your feet!" and I would go "But they are straight!"...then when I would look down, my feet would be at an angle, pointing outwards. After pointing them straight, it felt soooo unnatural...to the point where it felt like my feet was actually pointing inwards...which they werent. But, definately go see your Psych/Shrink. If it's the meds...and it gets adjusted, you will no doubt feel way better. If this is how you are supposed to feel, you would get the reassurance to enjoy the feeling. Hope this helps

mommyglamour

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wow Posted: 04-29-08 01:53am


this is my hubby, especially like Seraph (he says maybe he shouldn't be in this relatioship because of the emotional distress but we have 2 kids together, he is all i got....and he makes me get pretty whacked out too once he comes over and thoroughly peels me out of my super calm comfort zone (i sometimes come off unemotional).

illectronic

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Posted: 05-04-08 18:20pm


I am BP I. I am very familiar with Manic, depressed, and mixed. I believe I am depressed-mix ATM. I have the confidence to say things but it comes out weird because I overanalyze.

lovbug028

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Wait.. Do I have ADD or Bipolar? Posted: 06-18-08 13:44pm


I can't stand mental health anymore. First I "had" anxiety disorder. Then, it was ADD, which caused my anxiety disorder. Now my Adderall is making me depressed, and what? I have the bipolar symptoms. I think I am just going to tell my doctor that I am done with all of this stuff. All of these psychologists are feeding me random issues and THEY ARE THE ONES MAKING ME CRAZY!

Alurra

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Posted: 07-15-08 09:12am


When I was a kid I had a bad anger issue... I would punch and kick holes in walls. When my father went to jail for three years for drug abuse/assault and battery I learned to control it. But within the past two months I've began to have anxiety attacks ( it's been about two years since I had one) and all of the symtoms listed above. Bipolar disorder runs in my dads side, my brother has it but it's the all the men on his (my fathers) side that have it. Depression runs in my moms family and I went to the doctors one of them wanted me to be put on medication and another just offered to set me up for consuling for three months, they thought this because of my unual weight loss. I can't exactly afford to have a therepist, I'm one of five kids in the house raised by a single mother. I have a job but I don't think it'll be enough. If I explain this to my mom she wouldn't understand, she thinks I overexaggerate my physical/mental pain so I've simply grown to not going into detail with her on these kind of things. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

MADRONA

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Re: Signs And Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Posted: 07-17-08 04:04am


Being diagnosed from a qualified pyschologist is a pretty good sign.The best results for treating Bipolar come from a combination of medications and therapy. It can take a long time to get a combination of medications that work, and it can also take a long time to connect with the right therapist.