Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression in other words is called as manic depression. The very word ‘manic’ indicates the seriousness of the illness. Being a long term illness it has to be carefully managed. This is a biological illness with psychological symptoms. Symptoms are exhibited in early adolescence or childhood. But these symptoms are often hard to recognize. 5.7 million Americans and 2.6 percent of the population aged 18 suffer from bipolar depression at any given time.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Typical symptoms of this disorder are marked by extreme mood swings. The patient is happy almost euphoric for some time. Mood swings are so drastic that this feeling of extreme happiness is replaced by sad, unhappy feelings, a feeling of utter hopelessness, anger and guilt. They have an impact on the sleep patterns and reduce energy and activity levels. Fluctuations of mood swings are referred to as cycling. In between these two mood swings occur periods of normalcy.
Manic symptoms are diagnosed if mood swings occur daily and persist for more than a week. Mood swings along with four of the symptoms listed below indicate bipolar depression and medical help is to be sought immediately. The afflicted person not only suffers immensely but also exhibits suicidal tendencies.
A moderate form of this disorder is termed ‘hypomania’ (Type II) and the sufferer denies that he is suffering. The feeling of happiness during the mood swings enhances productivity and gives a feeling of well being. Normally people with hypomania refuse treatment. But left untreated it might lead to severe mania and even depression.
Effects of this disorder
The term ‘disorder’ indicates that these mood swings are intense and not normal. They affect personal and social relationships, family and school life destroying career prospects. Years of productivity are lost and severe mood swings quite frequently prove fatal due to the suicidal tendencies that are a part of this illness. People with bipolar depression are three times more likely to commit suicide in comparison to people in depression. In comparison to the general population, people with bipolar depression committing suicide are about 10-20 times more.
Bipolar depression and schizophrenia
People with severe bipolar depression (Type I) hallucinate or go into delusions. They tend to believe the existence of people who are not there or believe in facts that do not stand the test of logic or reason. For this reason bipolar depression is confused with schizophrenia.
The variations in type I and Type II are extreme so many sub types are employed to make an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately bipolar disorder cannot be diagnoized through blood tests or brain scans. Only symptoms are an indication of the disorder. Medical treatment, help and support of friend and family is a must for recovery. But recognizing the symptoms is necessary for remedial cure. Surveys have indicated that it often takes around ten years for family members to recognize the symptoms. However media is playing an important role in increasing public awareness. The silver lining in this gloomy scenario is that; this is a curable illness and medicines can restore life to normalcy.