Do you think you or someone you know has Bipolar Affective Disorder?

What is Bipolar Affective Disorder?

Bipolar Affective disorder is a mood disorder that is a serious medical condition. It is sometimes referred to as Manic-Depression. This is not because the depression is manic, but because Bipolar is a mood disorder that had two poles (hence bi-polar) where the one pole is depression and the other pole is mania.

There are two kinds of Bipolar: Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. The symptoms are similar with both, but the mania is more extreme in Bipolar 1 to the extent that the person suffering from Bipolar 1 is significantly impaired in their work and social activities. Someone suffering from Bipolar 2 is said to suffer from hypomania.

What are the symptoms of Bipolar?

Bipolar disorder can look very different in different people. The symptoms vary widely in their pattern, severity, and frequency. Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over a lifetime.

The most predominant symptoms come together into episodes that are extremes of mood known as mania and depression. These extremes are well beyond the normal mood fluctuations all people experience and are not proportional responses to life events.

It should be noted there is a specific type of bipolar disorder known as bipolar 2 disorder that differs from bipolar disorder slightly because the mania is less severe, known as hypomania.

There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder:mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms.

What are the Symptoms of a Manic Episode?

Increased energy

• Decreased sleep
• Little fatigue
• An increase in activities
• Restlessness

Speech Disruptions During Mania

• Rapid, pressured speech
• Incoherent speech
• Clang associations (which can also occur with other mental conditions)

Impaired Judgment Caused by Mania

• Lack of insight
• Inappropriate humor and behaviours
• Impulsiveness
• Financial extravagance
• Grandiose thinking
• Hypersexuality

Changes in Thought Patterns Due to Mania

• Distractibility
• Creative thinking
• Flight of ideas
• Disorientation
• Disjointed thinking
• Racing thoughts

Mood Changes

• Irritability
• Excitability
• Hostility
• Feelings of exhilaration

Psychosis Associated with Mania

• Hallucinations (not present in hypomania)
• Delusions (not present in hypomania)
• Paranoia (not present in hypomania)
• Increased religious activities

More often than not, those who are close to us will notice our little red flags long before we will. If someone you love is demonstrating symptoms of mania, express concern. And if someone you love expresses concern, listen.

What are the symptoms of a Depressive Episode?

Changes in Activity or Energy Level

• Decreased energy
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Diminished activity
• Insomnia or hypersomnia

Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

• Social withdrawal

Physical Changes Caused by Depression

• Unexplained aches and pains
• Weight loss or gain
• Decreased or increased appetite
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation

Emotional Pain of Depression

• Prolonged sadness
• Unexplained, uncontrollable crying
• Feelings of guilt
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Loss of self-esteem
• Despair
• Hopelessness
• Helplessness

Difficult Moods Associated with Depression

• Irritability
• Anger
• Worry/anxiety
• Pessimism
• Indifference
• Self-critical

Changes in Thought Patterns due to Depression

• Inability to concentrate
• Indecision
• Memory problems
• Disorganized

Preoccupation with Death

• Thoughts of death
• Suicidal ideation
• Feeling dead or detached

What are the symptoms of a Mixed Episode?

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression.This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

These include:

• depression combined with agitation
• irritability
• anxiety
• insomnia
• distractibility
• racing thoughts

What do I do if I think I have Bipolar?

Bipolar disorder worsens without treatment. If you think you have or someone you know has bipolar it is vital that you or they seek treatment. Bipolar is a condition that is treatable and you can live a normal and well-adjusted life.

For more information contact CyberShrink.