Bipolar
Depression Is Often Overlooked
Bipolar depression is sometimes not given the attention it
needs. Many people tend to concentrate on the manic symptoms of
bipolar disorder. It could be that the manic symptoms that
someone with bipolar exhibits is often more noticeable or
public. When a person with bipolar disorder is in the
depression stage they may keep to themselves. Their extended
family members and friends may not even realize how
debilitating the bipolar depression truly is to the person.
Someone with bipolar depression has very deep lows. This stage
of bipolar disorder is marked by empty moods, anxiousness
and/or sadness. The individual may be very pessimistic and feel
a sense of hopelessness. They may have feelings of guilt,
helplessness and worthlessness. When the depression comes the
individual may lose interest in things they once enjoyed such
as hobbies, friends, work and even sex. They may complain of
feeling tired or fatigued and they will have a marked decrease
in their energy levels. Bipolar depression often makes it
difficult to remember things, make decisions and concentrate.
Individuals may become irritable and restless and have sleep
disturbances. The person may state they feel pain in their body
and may have thoughts of suicide or death may arise.
What is interesting to note is that someone with bipolar is
more likely to seek out help during their bipolar depression
stage than their manic stage. The manic stage makes someone
with bipolar feel as if they are top of the world. During the
up or manic stage individuals will feel optimistic and happy.
They have a high amount of energy, both physical and mental.
They do not seem to need much sleep. Their creativity seems to
peak, yet they often make unpredictable, reckless or impaired
decisions. Everything is in the extremes whether they are being
provocative, angry, aggressive, intrusive or even excited. The
individual has no concept that their mood is elevated and they
feel very powerful.
Now that you have seen how the manic phase makes a person with
bipolar feel, it is no surprise that when the bipolar
depression hits it hits hard. A person can go from 100 to 0. It
is very important that individuals who are bipolar stay on
their medication. It is very easy for a person to discontinue
their medication, especially in the manic stage when they feel
so good.
It is possible for people with bipolar to keep their moods
stabilized with treatment. It should be understood that bipolar
is not something that will go away. It reoccurs. The best
treatment for bipolar is medication and psychosocial treatment.
While it is true that mood changes can still occur even if
someone is taking his or her medicine, it is important that the
person is under the care of a doctor. Often bipolar depression
and mania can be stayed off by making adjustment in the
medicine.
People with bipolar are often asked to keep a daily mood chart.
These charts include monitoring sleep patterns, medication,
life events and so on to help the person see how he or she is
doing. In addition, these charts give doctors an inside peek to
the person’s illness so that patterns, if any, can be
recognized.
If someone in your circle has bipolar, you should could an eye
out for bipolar depression. If you notice that your loved one
has the symptoms of bipolar depression keep in mind that it is
a very difficult time for them. Your loved one could probably
use some extra support, love and encouragement. If your loved
one is having an especially difficult time you may want to
contact their doctor.
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