Bi polar disorder patients often suffer from suicidal thoughts, troubled relationships or trouble in the workplace.

This psychiatric illness causes uncontrollable mood swings and much emotional pain.

If left untreated, this disease could lead to hospitalization. This article will discuss the definition of bi polar disorder, bi polar disorder symptoms, and some treatments that are available.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

A person who suffers from bipolar disorder can have severe mood swings–ranging from severe depression to severe mania.

Severe depression is characterized by feelings of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, while severe mania could include insomnia, intense anxiety or impulsive behavior. Between these extremes are moderate depression, mild depression, a feeling of normalcy, and increased levels of energy known as hypomania.

More than one of these symptoms can be experienced at the same time, referred to as a mixed state.

Types Of Bi Polar Disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), there are four types of bi polar disorder. Manic or mixed behavior, or depression lasting more than two weeks. Bounces back and forth with hypomanic episodes.

The person’s symptoms do not fit the other categories, but clearly does not exhibit normal behavior.

Bi polar disorder in its mildest form. A person usually bounces back and forth between mild depression and hypomania for at least several years.

What Causes Bi Polar Disorder?

There is no clear-cut cause for bi polar disorder.

The theories are too many to mention; however, scientists feel that identifying the problem begins with the brain.

Brain Chemistry. Fluctuating levels of neurotransmitters–such as norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine–may be contributing factors for the bipolar patient. For example, low norepinephrine levels can create depression and high levels can create mania. Genetics, stress, and traumatic life experiences can also cause a person to exhibit bipolar symptoms.

Stresses Of Daily Living. Daily life can bring ups and downs for any person. However, ups and downs are extreme for bi polar patients. A physician may have difficulty diagnosing bi polar disorder because its symptoms may mimic other conditions, such as drug abuse or other physical ailments. People who exhibit intermittent levels of acute energy, extreme irritability, or have high-risk, compulsive habits show signs of being bipolar.

Managing Bi Polar Disorder With Treatment

For many people, the symptoms of bi polar disorder do not completely go away with treatment.

However, it can be controlled with medication, or a combination of medicines. Antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, mood stabilizers, or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to treat this disease.

Counseling is also an effective tool in the bi polar treatment plan.

Help Is Available For Bi Polar Disorder

In the past, bi polar patients were labeled manic depressive.

This reference is sometimes used today. By either definition, bi polar disorder is a psychiatric illness that can ultimately wreak havoc on a person’s life.

Under a doctor’s care, bi polar disorder can be controlled, but not cured. Always discuss any symptoms and care with a physician before beginning any medicines.

Related posts:

1. Bi Polar Disorder: Are You At Risk?
2. Bipolar Disorder Treatment: Overcoming Manic Depressive Disorder
3. Depression Treatment: Uncovering The Symptoms of Depression

All of us feel down and discouraged from time to time.

The stress of coping with the difficulties and setbacks we all face in life can be discouraging. But how do we know if we, or someone that we know, have moved beyond mere discouragement toward clinical depression?

There are some keys signs and symptoms of depression that will help us determine where we are emotionally and if we need depression treatment.

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

The symptoms of depression are fairly standardized and include:

• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, loneliness, and helplessness
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping), early morning awakening
• Excessive sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
• Irritability
• Severe changes in appetite- overeating or loss of appetite
• Persistent feelings of sadness, and emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Thoughts of harming yourself or suicidal thoughts

Diagnosing Clinical Depression

Merely having some of the symptoms of major depression for a brief period of time is not enough to warrant a clinical diagnosis of major depression. These symptoms experienced over a prolonged period of time and which interfere with leading a normal, active life are reliable indicators that a person may be clinically depressed and in need of depression treatment.

Researchers vary in their estimations of the commonality of major depression with some studies relating that 30 % (or 1 in 3) Americans will experience major depression while other studies put the depression rates somewhere around 50 % of the US adult population.

If you or someone you know does exhibit these symptoms over a long periods of time- it is time to get some help.

Diagnosing clinical depression is best left to medical and mental health professionals- but all of us should know (from a layman’s perspective) the signs and symptoms of depression. This is especially important when someone is feeling suicidal. Research reflects that approximately 1 in 10 people who are clinically depressed go on to commit suicide (this is a conservative estimate).

If you or someone you know is suicidal do not hesitate to call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK. Getting people who are suffering from major depression the help they need is of paramount importance.

The good news is- help is available.

Get Depression Treatment Early

Because one of the key complications stemming from depression is a lack of motivation, sometimes a depressed person needs someone to reach out with compassion and help that person get in touch with the right people- this may be a family physician, a psychiatrist, or a mental health professional.

These professionals have specialized training in diagnosing and treating not only the symptoms of depression but its underlying causes. Often certain medications can be prescribed to stabilize one’s mood while the person participates in therapeutic counseling to deal with the root issues that provoked the depressive episode in the first place.

If the symptoms of depression are negatively impacting your life, your relationships, your work or your family- then seek help at once.

Treating depression early can prevent things from getting worse.

Remember, feeling depressed does not mean you have a major depressive disorder. However, if you can’t pull yourself out of your symptoms don’t suffer in silence, talk to your physician or a mental health provider and get the help you need to enjoy an active, normal life.

Related posts:

1. Understanding Bi Polar Disorder
2. Anxiety treatment: What To Expect From Anxiety Therapy
3. Anxiety Attack Symptoms: Recognize Panic Attacks