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Bipolar Depression Is Often Overlooked

Bipolar depression is sometimes not given the attention it needs. Many people tend to concentrate on the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder. It could be that the manic symptoms that someone with bipolar exhibits is often more noticeable or public. When a person with bipolar disorder is in the depression stage they may keep to themselves. Their extended family members and friends may not even realize how debilitating the bipolar depression truly is to the person.

Someone with bipolar depression has very deep lows. This stage of bipolar disorder is marked by empty moods, anxiousness and/or sadness. The individual may be very pessimistic and feel a sense of hopelessness. They may have feelings of guilt, helplessness and worthlessness. When the depression comes the individual may lose interest in things they once enjoyed such as hobbies, friends, work and even sex. They may complain of feeling tired or fatigued and they will have a marked decrease in their energy levels. Bipolar depression often makes it difficult to remember things, make decisions and concentrate. Individuals may become irritable and restless and have sleep disturbances. The person may state they feel pain in their body and may have thoughts of suicide or death may arise.

What is interesting to note is that someone with bipolar is more likely to seek out help during their bipolar depression stage than their manic stage. The manic stage makes someone with bipolar feel as if they are top of the world. During the up or manic stage individuals will feel optimistic and happy. They have a high amount of energy, both physical and mental. They do not seem to need much sleep. Their creativity seems to peak, yet they often make unpredictable, reckless or impaired decisions. Everything is in the extremes whether they are being provocative, angry, aggressive, intrusive or even excited. The individual has no concept that their mood is elevated and they feel very powerful.

Now that you have seen how the manic phase makes a person with bipolar feel, it is no surprise that when the bipolar depression hits it hits hard. A person can go from 100 to 0. It is very important that individuals who are bipolar stay on their medication. It is very easy for a person to discontinue their medication, especially in the manic stage when they feel so good.

It is possible for people with bipolar to keep their moods stabilized with treatment. It should be understood that bipolar is not something that will go away. It reoccurs. The best treatment for bipolar is medication and psychosocial treatment. While it is true that mood changes can still occur even if someone is taking his or her medicine, it is important that the person is under the care of a doctor. Often bipolar depression and mania can be stayed off by making adjustment in the medicine.

People with bipolar are often asked to keep a daily mood chart. These charts include monitoring sleep patterns, medication, life events and so on to help the person see how he or she is doing. In addition, these charts give doctors an inside peek to the person’s illness so that patterns, if any, can be recognized.

If someone in your circle has bipolar, you should could an eye out for bipolar depression. If you notice that your loved one has the symptoms of bipolar depression keep in mind that it is a very difficult time for them. Your loved one could probably use some extra support, love and encouragement. If your loved one is having an especially difficult time you may want to contact their doctor.