About What Is Bipolar Disorder: What Is Bipolar Disorder?

What is bipolar disorder and how is it connected to depression? Depression not only affects the person who is going through it, but also everyone around them, including friends, family, loved ones, spouses, and children.

What is Bipolar Disorder

It is normal to feel happiness and sadness in life but for those who have bipolar disorder which is also known as manic depression' these feelings can be extreme. This situation if not managed can interfere with their daily life and can also become extremely dangerous.

On a good day the person will be full of energy and be able to achieve much which may also be a concern and then on bad days they feel so depressed that they cant get out of bed. The good news about bipolar is that it can be treated and be able to live a normal life.

It usually develops in late adolescence or early adulthood but it is not unusual for some to have their first symptoms during childhood or it could be even late in life. The main problem with bipolar is that it is not accepted as an illness and therefore with delayed treatment it can be too far gone before one actually steps into realization and then make the necessary adjustments. In the meantime' they would have faced damaged relationships and their performance in school and later in job might be low causing severe damage to their personal lives. The danger is that with a low mood swing it drives to a point of sadness and hopelessness which could very well be prone to suicide. These mood swings are known as episodes with normal mood in between.

It is important to diagnose bipolar disorder as early as possible. Some of the symptoms are:

• Restlessness
• Increased energy
• Overly good mood
• Extremely irritable
• Lack of concentration
• Talking fast' changing from one topic to another
• Little sleep
• Unrealistic self confidence on one’s abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Extravagance
• Increased sexual drive
• Prone to cocaine' alcohol and sleeping medications
• Aggressive' provocative or intrusive behavior
• Life of denial

If the level of mania is considered to be moderate it is called hypomania which actually will make the person have good functioning and enhanced productivity. Therefore even with evident signs of a bipolar disorder' the sufferer may refuse to accept the situation. This can lead to neglect without proper treatment and can become severe mania or may even lead into depression. Some of the signs of depression are:

• Continuous sadness
• Anxiety
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Low self worth' guilt or helplessness
• Loss of interest in pleasure activities including sex
• Decrease energy
• Lack of concentration
• Irritable
• Restlessness
• Lack of sleep or sleep too much
• Lack or increase in appetite resulting in either loss or gain of weight
• Persistent body pain that are not evident through physical illness or injury
• Thoughts and attempts of suicide

If more than five of these symptoms persist daily for a period of 2 weeks or longer it could then be diagnosed as a depressive episode. This could also be coupled with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.

What is important' like in any other sickness is that bipolar is diagnosed as early as possible' and treated without delay as this will certainly allow the sufferer to lead a normal life.