Thread: About Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder,or manic depressive disorder,experience alternating mood swings,from emotional highs(mania)to lows(depression) the condition can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of mania include;

• Feelings of euphoria,extreme optimism,exaggerated self esteem
  Rapid speech,racing thoughts
  Decreased need for sleepExtreem irritability
  Impulsive and reckless behavior

Symptoms of depression include;

• Loss of interest in and pleasure from favorite activities
  Loss of sexual interest or pleasure
  Feeling of sadness
  
  Changes in appetite or weight
  Suicidal thoughts

Depression and bipolar disorder are treatable.
Learning to recognize the signs and triggers enables people and health profesionals to prevent recurrences.Speak to your doctor if you feel you have this condition.

I wonder if it's possible to have the lows and just the normal for the highs. The reason I ask this is because I have days where I think everything will be cool and I am a bit too overly optimistic about the future, and other days I'm a basket case and ready to chuck it all. Is this Bipolar or just depression? I don't really get to the high part as far as euphoria and self-esteem go.

@Archeon: I was diagnosed with bipolar in June. I struggled for ages trying to work it out because I also am naturally a very energetic and bubbly person. Also the depression was a lot more dominant lasting for sometimes months at a time, where as the manic stages never seemed to last longer than a few hours...

And I think end of the day it really doesn't matter which title it is given (other than it will affect which medication will be most useful if you are on any).

It could be helpful to chat with friends and family who know you well. Or to chat with a psychiatrist.

Isn't there any way to cure bipolar disorder? With medications you only get better or you can cure it? It must be very hard to be diagnosed with bipolar

True, I suppose in the end they are all names of the same beast. I don't currently have health insurance, but I am looking up county resources to see what's available. I do know that I need professional help to deal with the depression, no matter what form it is.

Good stuff Archeon!!! Just know that you are not alone and that you will make it through

Actually I found out from an article here that what I have seems to be atypical depression, course that is self-diagnosis, but it fits. The difference is that one is generally alright when things are going alright, even hopeful, but any setback can throw the person back into a deep depression. It's never a matter of being happy for awhile like in bipolar, but it's just being able to cope during better times. It was interesting to find a name for it.

I am still not sure that I understand what bipolar is. I keep thinking the doctors come up with new names to explain peoples actions. It is depression in my opinion, but I am not a doctor naming conditions.

Originally Posted by eric.cornelison

I am still not sure that I understand what bipolar is. I keep thinking the doctors come up with new names to explain peoples actions. It is depression in my opinion, but I am not a doctor naming conditions.

Bipolar is quite different than depression, and it has been a diagnosis for a long time, it isn't a new one. Bipolar people have manic phases. They may go on wild spending sprees or have a bunch of dangerous sexual encounters. They may not sleep for many days. They feel good, so it doesn't seem like a problem, but people in a severe manic phase can get themselves into real trouble, and they can also get hurt.

People who suffer from depression, also called mono-polar depression to distinguish it from bi-polar don't have the swings to a manic state.

Thanks, I really did not know what bi-polar was. I am not sure I have encountered a person with it. I certainly did not know it had been a diagnosis or been discovered a long time ago. Thanks again for the info.