Has a loved one or yourself been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and you are not sure what all that entails...... I am going to share a couple websites and excerpts from them that hopefully will shed a little light on what exactly bipolar disorder is. As always, feel free to email me at babgadway@live.com anytime. HUGS!!!!! 😊❤
Overview
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
- Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
- Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
- Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.
- Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders— defined by bipolar disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.
This site has a lot of great information! Feel free to check it out!
Know the signs & symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar depression has the same “low” symptoms as depression:
- Prolonged sadness, depressed mood, or unexplained crying spells
- No interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Loss of energy
- Difficulties with sleep—either sleeping too much or not at all
- Changes in appetite—significant weight gain or weight loss
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
In addition, bipolar disorder is characterized by one or more episodes of “high” symptoms:
- Feelings of abnormal excitement, or elevated mood
- Talking very rapidly or excessively
- Needing less sleep than normal, yet still having plenty of energy
- Feeling agitated, irritable, hyper, or easily distracted
- Engaging in risky behavior such as excessive spending, impulsive sexual encounters, or ill-advised business decisions
I hope and pray that this information has helped to shed some light on what bipolar disorder is. Blessings and Much Love to you all!!!😊❤
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ReplyDeletetypes of bipolar