Bipolar Disorder

Manic Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder - also frequently known as Manic Depression - is a very treatable mental illness, which is recognized by its extreme mood, thought, energy level, and behavioral changes. Bipolar Disorder is not a sign of personal weakness, nor is it a character flaw.

Bipolar disorder impacts over 2 million adults in the United States. It usually develops within the later parts of adolescence, though it may begin in early childhood, or later in life. Men and women develop this disorder equally, though men have a higher tendency for manic episodes, and women usually experience depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder affects everyone equally, regardless of age, ethnic group, social class, sex, or race, though it has shown itself to be hereditary, running in family lines.

Just like other serious mental illnesses, bipolar disorders don't just impact the sufferer, but also spouses, partners, family members, friends, coworkers, and other acquaintances.

Symptoms of bipolar disorders are divided into the "highs" and the "lows" - the extremes that are suffered by those afflicted with it. They can rapidly change from one to the other, or change within the high or the low.

Symptoms of "mania," the highs:

• Increased physical and mental activity and energy

• Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence

• Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior

• Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue

• Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance

• Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas

• Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility

• Reckless behavior

• In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Symptoms of "depression" - the lows:

• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells

• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns

• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety

• Pessimism, indifference

• Loss of energy, persistent lethargy

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness

• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness

• Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide - NOTE: If you or someone you know has is thinking of suicide, contact a medical professional immediately.

Many treatments exist for bipolar disorder. These therapies can be extremely successful, and can include medications and other techniques. These treatments give the sufferer a whole new lease on life, and the results can be positively staggering.

How is it Detected?

Screening tools have many practical benefits that may make a tremendous difference in your life.

The advantages to screening tools include:

• Assisting in the detection and recognition of depression and manic-depression (bipolar disorder) which are conditions that frequently result in unnecessary suffering in people who simply don't know why they are afflicted the way they are. Since it takes an average of 8 years to receive an accurate diagnosis leading to the necessary care and treatment, screening tools can minimize any needless anguish in depressed and manic-depressed people.

• Faster and more accurate diagnosis, which can lead to the development of the best treatment strategy, at an earlier time, which will result in improved long-term management. Though both disorders may appear to be the same thing during their depressive phase, they are quite different.

• The majority of people who are manic-depressive (bipolar) will only seek help while they're feeling depressed. It's hard for them to recognized that risk-taking behavior, expansive moods, hyper energy, and a very talkative nature is also a part of bipolar disorder. This is, however, a vital part of diagnosis.

The differences between bipolar and uni-polar disorders while depressed are subtle, but detectable:

Bipolar Disorder - Depression	Uni-Polar Disorder - Depression
Oversleeping	Disrupted sleep
Calm withdrawal	Increased mental and physical activity
Decreased physical activity	Agitation and additional physical complaints
Decreased anxiety	Anxiety
Less anger	Anger
Increase in food intake

Here are some important questions to consider when diagnosing depression and manic-depression:

• Does your family have a history of depression, bipolar disorder, suicide, or alcoholism?

• Do you drink frequently alcohol, or use over-the-counter medications, or even street drugs (for example, stimulants, steroids, cocaine)?

• Have you ever considered, seriously thought about, or attempted suicide?

• Do you have any other types of medical conditions or disorders, such as thyroid disease, endocrine disorders, etc?

Depending on whether you have depression or bipolar disorder, you may receive very different treatments. Moreover, should you take the antidepressants that are used for depression, for the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, the treatment may actually make manic depressive episodes worse, and more frequent.

For this reason, it's vital that you tell your doctor everything that you are experiencing, so that he or she is capable of providing you with a proper diagnosis.

If you wish to take the correct steps in order to receive a proper diagnosis to decide whether you have depression or bipolar disorder, respect the following steps, being thorough so that accuracy is ensured:

• Visit your doctor or a mood disorder clinic.

• Be honest when telling the medical professional about what you're feeling.

• If you are diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder, learn as much as you can about the condition, to best understand the disorder and possible treatments.

• Be certain that you have a strong emotional support system by sharing what you're going through with people you know and trust.

• Maintain regular sleep patterns to stabilize your mood.

• Make efforts to reduce stress in your life and achieve some balance. Avoid highly stimulating and stressful events when you're not feeling up to snuff, and perform calming activities.

• Avoid any alcoholic beverages, and non-prescription drugs. Take all prescription medications and directed.