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“What is manic depression?” It’s a question that many people ask. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are distinguished by episodes of mania and depression. 5.7 million Americans struggle with bipolar disorder and many don’t realize that they have it. This is why it’s important for more people to be aware of the symptoms of bipolar disorder , so they can recognize it not only in themselves but in their friends and family, as well. The symptoms of bipolar disorder include: Mania Symptoms Talking very quickly to the point that the other person might not be able to understand you. Feeling very impulsive and restless. Engaging in behavior that is considered risky such as gambling more money beyond your means, going on big spending sprees, etc. Feeling overly happy or euphoric for a long period of time. Feeling easily distracted. Feeling exceptionally confident in your abilities, beyond your usual confidence. Less need for sleep. Depression Symptoms Feeling an overwhelm

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder in which the individual experiences episodes of both mania and depression. There are different types of bipolar disorder including Bipolar I , Bipolar II , Cyclothymia, Mixed Features, Rapid Cycling, and others. Bipolar II is specifically characterized by episodes of depression and episodes of what is called hypomania. This term is used to describe a condition in which the person experiences a level of mania that is not as full-blown as in Bipolar I. What are the characteristics of bipolar II? Exaggerated self confidence Hyperactivity / increased energy Decreased need for sleep Racing thoughts and ideas Loud speech Extreme fatigue Thoughts of suicide Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness Withdrawal from friends and family Bipolar in Kids It’s important for everyone to be aware of the symptoms of bipolar, including parents. Bipolar disorder has been diagnosed in children as young as six years old. Sometimes diagnosing bi

Are you concerned because you believe you have the symptoms of bipolar? Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by episodes of both mania (euphoria) and depression. Depending on the frequency of both and the severity determines the type of bipolar that is present in the individual. However, screening tests for bipolar and a diagnosis by the individual’s doctor  are necessary to make an accurate diagnosis of bipolar or depression. There are a number of screening tests for bipolar online and these are a good starting point and only give an indication of whether you are showing some of the symptoms of bipolar disorder . They can be used as a screening tool to take to your doctor, along with a journal that you keep of all of your moods, eating habits, sleep schedule, exercise habits, any triggers that you have noticed, and more.  Here is a sampling of the type of questions you might encounter during a test for bipolar: • Has there ever been a time when you f

Dating is never easy. Bringing two individuals together harmoniously is always a gamble, regardless of background. But, if you are dating someone with bipolar disorder, there are some things you should know that will hopefully make things more clear and more comprehensible as you move forward as a couple. Some of these things are items like the symptoms of bipolar, and the answer to the question – What is bipolar exactly? What is bipolar? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings. An individual with bipolar I will experience at least one manic episode in their lifetime with episodes of depression, while a person with bipolar II will experience hypomanic (not as intense as mania) episodes with bouts of depression. It is a manageable disease that can be treated with medication, supportive care, various therapies, and specialists. What are the symptoms of bipolar? An individual with bipolar disorder will experience extreme mood fluctu

Many people are curious about the answer to the question, “What is Bipolar?” Bipolar depression is one side of bipolar disorder, and the other is mania. Bipolar II symptoms include feelings of depression and what is called hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are manic episodes that never reach full mania. Bipolar I symptoms , on the other hand, are when the individual has had at least one full blown manic episode in their life along with episodes of depression. Here are some frequently asked questions about bipolar depression: Q: What is the difference between bipolar depression and major depressive disorder? A: Bipolar depression and mania are the two sides of bipolar disorder . An individual with bipolar disorder struggles with both depression and mania, while someone who has major depressive disorder struggles with the depression aspect only. Q: How is bipolar depression treated? Is it treated differently than major depressive disorder? A: Medications used t

Words are curious things. They can help shape us in ways we never realized, and they can also tear us down. If you know someone who is struggling with bipolar mania, the words you speak to them should be chosen carefully. It takes only a few words to build up a person’s self esteem. Conversely, it also only takes a slight twist of words to cut and hurt. Here are some things that you should never say to someone with bipolar mania disorder. “Why are you acting so foolish?” Some of the behaviors related to bipolar mania can be difficult for friends and family to handle. However, it’s important to remember that these behaviors are congruent with the individual’s bipolar mania disorder, which should make it easier to accept. Consider researching the illness to understand it more fully. “You’re much too smart to have bipolar disorder or manic depression.’’ Bipolar disorder is a mental illness, it isn’t a choice and it is no way reflective of an individual’s level of intelligence. Infe

Bipolar disease affects 5.7 million people in the United States alone. Many people know someone with bipolar disorder. It’s natural to want to help a friend or loved one with bipolar with helpful words, but sometimes, even though you might think you are speaking from the heart, what you say can come across as flip or inconsiderate to the person with bipolar disease. Below are things you should never say to someone with bipolar disorder: “Things are so good for you, why are you so depressed?”  This might be one of the very worst things to say to someone with bipolar because if anything, the person knows that they have a good life. They can be grateful for their world and still not have control over their mood swings, which only makes them feel that much worse.  “You should stop taking things so personally.” When someone is struggling with bipolar, it isn’t just their brain that is affected it’s their entire physical and mental well being. Being less confident in oneself can lead

To be human means to have a range of moods. But, how do you know if your range of moods falls within the boundaries of bipolar illness? The symptoms of depression include lack of energy, preoccupation with morbid thoughts, and withdrawing from friends. If an individual struggles with depression and then cycles into a euphoric mood, it might be a sign of bipolar disorder. Here are some signs of bipolar that you might be ignoring: Experiencing euphoria :Euphoria, itself, is not a harmful emotion. The individual may also find that it is associated with feeling extremely productive, creative, and goal-oriented. However, if the feeling of euphoria lasts for a week or more and appears with other symptoms (racing thoughts, quick speech, irritability), then you might be looking at bipolar illness. Feeling overconfident :  An individual with bipolar disorder often feelsan extreme confidence in their abilities. This also leads to  decisions that can be risky and harmful to the individual.

Bipolar illness is a serious disorder and millions of people across the country struggle with it every day. It’s difficult for friends and family members to see someone they love suffering, whether it’s from symptoms depression and/or mania, our gut instinct is to help. Here are ten ways you can help a loved one cope with bipolar illness. Encourage them to participate in social activities. One of the heaviest aspects of bipolar illness is depression. People who are depressed tend to isolate themselves. Help your friend cope by encouraging them to go for coffee with you or maybe go for a walk together. Listen to them without judgment. What your friend needs right now is for someone to listen to them without trying to fix their problem. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to is great therapy on its own! Understand when they need alone time. Sometimes, people with bipolar illness just want to be alone, give them the space they need without judgment but don’t go away entirely.

Millions of people in the United States suffer from bipolar, and so they must also figure out how to manage their illness while at work. Oftentimes people with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder seek out employment that is quite intense for a short period of time, which would fall in line with the nature of the illness. However, it’s best for people with bipolar disorder to find employment with regular hours for the structure and stability. The key to managing bipolar at work is by recognizing when symptoms are developing and responding accordingly. Regularly manage your stress levels at work. Practice deep/relaxing breathing at your desk Go for a walk around the block Take regular breaks before you actually need them Listen to music that you find relaxing Call a supportive friend Maintain a healthy lifestyle   Get enough sleep – especially on nights when you have work the next day Skip the office donuts and choose fresh fruits instead Consider how caffeine negatively aff

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects 5.7 million people in the United States, and according to the World Health Organization, over 60 million people suffer worldwide. Characterized by extreme mood swings, bipolar disorder can be broken down into two types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. More people suffer from bipolar II, and bipolar I is defined as at least one manic episode along with episodes of depression, while bipolar II is defined as periods of hypo-mania along with episodes of depression. Bipolar I The difference between the two types of bipolar disorder is that with bipolar I , the person experiences full-out mania. A manic episode can last anywhere from weeks to even months, and is characterized by a reduced need for sleep, increased energy levels, losing touch with reality, feelings of euphoria, over-confidence in one’s abilities, rapid thoughts and speech, over-activity, delusions (sometimes), intense excitement, agitation, risk-taking, increased sexual appetit

Bipolar mania is one side of the coin of bipolar disorder. The other is depression, and people with the disease will experience episodes of both in varying degrees. Bipolar mania is characterized by a number of symptoms including elevated mood, irritability, talking and thinking more quickly than usual, euphoria, decreased need for sleep coupled with increased energy levels, impulsivity, and reckless behavior. Bipolar depression or bipolar mania can be managed with the strategies listed below. People suffering from bipolar disorder should work closely with their doctor on these strategies. Create a positive support network. Who better than family and friends to help you get a perspective of your mood swings? The mania and depression that you experience may more easily be seen by those close to you than even you can spot them, so create a positive support network so you can seek help. Track your daily mood in a journal. It’s easy to forget how you felt two or three days ago. If you

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is made up of two ends of the mood spectrum: depression and mania. Most everyone is aware of feelings of depression – despair, guilt, unworthiness, lethargy, thoughts of death and suicide, but not as many people are aware of what bipolar mania feels like. With bipolar disorder, there are two different types of mania that someone may experience: mania and hypomania. Mania is level of euphoria that is experienced by people who are diagnosed with Bipolar I, while hypomania is a less intense form of mania that people with Bipolar II experience. But, what are the true symptoms of bipolar mania ? Most everyone knows, or has an idea about, how it feels to be depressed. They might feel lethargic, unproductive, uninterested in activities they previously enjoyed, anxious, irritable, etc. Bipolar mania, on the other hand, is when the individual feels euphoric. In fact, it might feel like the best good mood of their life. When experiencing bipolar mania,

What is bipolar? Bipolar disorder affects 5.7 million adults in the United States, which accounts for about 2.6% of the adult population. The average age onset of the disease is 25 years, but it can begin as early as childhood and as late as 40’s and 50’s. Women and men suffer from the disorder equally, and it is found among all races, and all social and ethnic classes. The Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder An individual suffering from bipolar disorder will experience extreme mood shifts. These shifts are: depression and mania. Depression Symptoms include: Feeling anxious Feelings of emptiness, unworthiness, guilt Inability to experience pleasure No longer interested in social activities with friends and family Inability to sleep – or sleeping too much Eating too much or too little, resulting in weight loss or weight gain Inability to focus and concentrate Thoughts of suicide and death Mania Symptoms include: Euphoria Extremely high energy Impatience and irritability Racing thoughts Need

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that affects 5.7 million people in the United States. People suffering from this mental illness experience both symptoms of depression and symptoms of mania, which is where the alternate term “manic depression” came from with relation to bipolar disorder. While many people might realize that bipolar mania is accompanied with a feeling of high energy, euphoria, and being easily destructible, they might not realize the symptoms of depression . 7 Surprising Symptoms of Depression in Bipolar Disorder When an individual is suffering from bipolar disorder, when they are in a depressive state, they often feel an inability to experience pleasure. This can be in regards to activities they usually enjoy, spending time with friends and family, and any other pleasure they usually enjoyed in life. The bipolar depression can manifest itself by making the individual feel mentally and physically sluggish. Lacking focus and decisiveness, an inability to

There are several types of bipolar disorder, and these include bipolar I, bipolar 2, cyclothymic disorder, other specified bipolar, rapid cycling, with psychotic features, with mixed features, and with anxious distress. Many people are curious as to the differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 This type of manic depressive disorder is a mental illness in which the individual is known to have at least one manic episode in their lifetime. Mania is described as a period of time in which the person felt extreme high energy, an elevated mood, and is also accompanied by unusual behavior that disrupted their life in some way. Many people with bipolar I disorder suffer from episodes of depression, as well. And this is what gave rise to the term, ‘Manic depression’ because bipolar disorder is a mental illness in which both mania and depression are experienced. Most everyone is susceptible to developing bipolar disorder; however, a genetic predisposition makes the risk even

What is Bipolar Disorder? With 5.7 million Americans suffering from bipolar disorder, it’s important for everyone to be educated as to the symptoms and signs of this mood irregularity. Through the years, doctors and mental health specialists have reached new heights in successfully diagnosing the disease, as in the past it was often confused with schizophrenia and depression. Now, there is a specific set of steps that doctors take when they administer a bipolar test to their patients. Bipolar disorder is a disruptive mood disorder that causes the individual to experience both emotional highs and lows. The lows are known as depression, and the highs are known as euphoria. These mood swings vary in frequency and length depending on the individual and their own diagnosis, and a bipolar test does not involve things like blood tests or lab work. Steps in Diagnosis First, the patient is given a comprehensive physical examination. This is to rule out any other type of physical issue that co

People who suffer from bipolar can educate themselves through many thoughtfully-written articles at BPHope.com. This online magazine is dedicated to helping people with depression or bipolar disorder, and in so doing they offer their readers articles written by authorities in the medical field, celebrities with these mood disorders, as well as first-hand accounts of people who struggle daily with these illnesses. Are you one of the many people who just isn’t sure of the difference between bipolar or depression? Granted, they do have their similarities, however, they are different disorders altogether. What is Depression? Globally, one out of every twenty people suffers from depression. It is a leading cause of non-productivity and disability, and more women than men suffer from it. Some authorities, however, believe this statistic is equal, and that women seek help more often than their male counterparts due to cultural bias against men and depression. Generally, depression man