Recognizing the Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Understanding the signs of bipolar disorder is an important step towards diagnosing and managing this illness. It's estimated that millions of people suffer from bipolar disorder, also called manic depression. While there are varying degrees of severity in regards to this illness, all symptoms fall under depression or mania. Depression and mania are experienced in episodes lasting days, weeks or months. Some sufferers have normal periods in between, others do not.

Signs of depression include excessive crying, sadness, despair, low energy and fatigue. A depressed individual may lose interest in favorite activities. They may eat and sleep too much or not enough. Many depressed people stop attending to hygiene and appearance. Depending on the severity of the depressive episode, it may be difficult for the sufferer to maintain their normal activities such as school or work.

Mania is the other polarity seen in individuals with bipolar disorder. Mania may be severe, or may be a milder form called hypomania. Symptoms include high energy levels, a fast rate of speech, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, sexually promiscuous behavior, the tendency towards poor financial decisions and spending sprees, a decreased need for sleep and sometimes, extreme agitation or even aggressiveness. Sometimes less severe manic episodes may be confused with normal behavior. The difference is that mania will last at least four days in a row.

If you suspect that you may have bipolar disorder, it is important to seek help. Your first stop should be your physician, who can rule out any medical causes. Next, you will most likely need to consult with a psychiatrist for more evaluation. If bipolar is diagnosed, a treatment plan will be devised based on the type of bipolar disorder you have and how severe it is. Many sufferers find substantial relief with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Perhaps you have noticed the signs of bipolar in a loved one. If so, you may need to encourage them to seek treatment, especially if they are in denial about the problem. Family and friends of a bipolar patient can learn effective ways to support their loved one through therapy and education. Sometimes you may even attend family therapy sessions with your bipolar loved one. By learning as much as you can about the disorder and how it's treated, you can help your bipolar family member or friend cope with their illness while also learning how to cope yourself.

Copyright 2007 Jim Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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