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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...

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 ind...

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...