My God! Do I Have Bipolar Disorder? From Palatine, Mchenry, Wauconda And Algonquin, Il

Wondering if you or a loved one has bipolar disorder

? Formerly known as manic depression, it is a psychiatric illness that causes shifts in mood from mania, or over-excitability to depression.

If you have this disorder, you will typically feel a sense of hopelessness, discouragement, futility and/or despair when in the depression phase. Conversely, you will feel full of energy, optimistic and vigorous when in the manic phase.

Don't try to compare the intensity or frequency of your mood swings with others you may know who have the diagnosis. Some patients may experience shifts in mood very frequently in various periods, one day, while others may not find that their mood shifts as often.

As confusing as it sounds, it is even possible that you may experience both mania and depression at the same time. Bipolar disorder is a very serious illness that can severely impair the quality of your work and family life.

It must be taken seriously and because it is chronic, you must assume it will be with you for life! However, the good news is that the condition is manageable with the right treatment so that one's emotional impairment is contained rather than allowed to get out of control.

A treatment plan usually contains medication and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder is divided into two types.

The most severe is Bipolar I which affects the patient's ability to function in normal everyday situations and the frequency and intensity of the manic episodes can be very extreme. Bipolar II, on the other hand, affects moods but doesn't actually cause disruption in a patient's daily routine.

In this type, mania is expressed in the milder form of hypomania, which is less intense than the typical mania. Bipolar II affects the patient intermittently and depressive episodes present more frequently than does hypomania.

Bipolar disorder and its Symptoms

There are numerous symptoms that express themselves differently among different patients. Though some patients will experience depression more frequently, others may experience more manic episodes.

Sometimes depression and hypomania occur together; then it is considered a mixed episode of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder-Symptoms of Mania (more severe)/Hypomania (less severe):

* Sleeping impairment

* Periods of over-activity, called hyperactivity

* Agitation

* Unwarranted, dangerous participation in risky behaviour

* Severely impaired decision-making ability

* Unwarranted optimism

* Pressured, accelerate speech

* Unwarranted levels of increased self-esteem

* Disruptive thoughts

* Compulsive sexual behavior

* Compulsive, accelerated spending

* Hyper-competitiveness

* Unwarranted euphoria

* Combativeness

* Binging with alcohol or drugs

* Poor levels of concentration

* Being out of touch with reality

* Impaired ability to focus

* Delinquency, rule-breaking behavior

Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms of Depression:

* Feelings of helplessness

* Sense of futility

* Irrational guilt

* Short fuse

* Over-eating or under-eating

* Impaired concentration

* Tiredness, exhaustion, fatigue

* Hypersomia (over-sleeping)

* Impaired ability to focus attention

* Suicidal ruminations or thought processes

* Rule-breaking

* Procrastination

* Low libido

* Self -deprecation

* Anhedonia, inability to experience pleasure

* Insomnia

If you experience some of these symptoms be sure to consult either a psychologist or psychiatrist for an evaluation. Without proper treatment bipolar disorder can, literally, destroy your life!

by: Mike Shery

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