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Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

June 16th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Living a normal life requires several things: Good Physical Health and Good Mental Health

We know about physical health. Proper food, appropriate quantities, exercise, and the right attitude about all of it.

bipolar disorder symptoms

Considerations about the mental health you have is a very important subject to take into consideration as well. We all need to concern ourselves with bipolar disorder symptoms in our loved ones.

The brain controls everything you do, it controls your motor skills, your speech and your emotions, and, although you are the only one that knows whether you are in a good mood or a bad one, some people are not in a position to know which because of a mental disorder and their brain is not in control of their emotions.

Generally we call this bipolar disorder or, sometimes, manic-depressive illness. Many people call this disorder manic-depressive because the individual suffering from it cannot control their moods, or indeed, their emotions. One of the bipolar disorder symptoms is the constant mood swings. One minute they are feeling good, the next they are sent into the depths of depression and there may not be a visible reason for it.
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Those individuals that are affected with bipolar disorder find that their daily activities are impacted constantly because of the trouble they have with their relationships as well as their performance at school or work. Some of the bipolar disorder symptoms are, indeed, the loss of marriages, friendships, and jobs or grades

The reason to understand all of this is that you should try to make yourself aware that bipolar disorder sufferers, at many times in their lives, live those lives in a very negative way. Many of the people who have bipolar disorder symptoms, because of the disorder in their brains, think that they are useless and have many thoughts that are depressive such as suicide. They believe that they should not exist and many of them attempt (and some of them succeed in) suicide

You should also know that many of them, in their manic phase are also quite active. They feel good, they feel very optimistic and that they can do anything. Some of the bipolar disorder symptoms at this time is that they talk fast, have increased energy and an elevated sex drive.

Along with that part of the bipolar disorder symptoms during their manic phase is that so much is going through their mind that they are unable to focus on one thing for very long. They jump from one thing to another and do not allow that anything is actually wrong. That is why getting tested for bipolar disorder is an absolutely necessary thing to accomplish, otherwise they can hurt themselves and others around them.

In order to be able to get a handle on the proper treatment for you or your loved one, it is critical that the sufferer get tested early on. Most of the bipolar disorder symptoms occur in people during the late teen years, however some people show these symptoms as early as childhood, some not showing any real signs until adulthood.

The ‘tests’ involved in the diagnosis of this disorder include discussions with a psychiatrist. You have to understand that bipolar disorder symptoms do not show up on a CAT scan or X-Rays. During the manic phase, the person will be asked several categories of questions revolving around: “I feel…….”, “I feel powerful”, “I feel that I can do anything…” “I feel energetic…” “I don’t need to sleep…”, etc..

bipolar disorder

During the depressive phase, the statements will involve: “I’m always tired..”, I feel restless…” etc..

Both of the manic and depressive phases of your disorder will be disruptive in all your relationships, both at work and/or school, and also at home and your other social relations. This is why it is so vitally important to get to your psychiatrist when you feel that your are having problems with your emotions. The tests that he/she will help you perform will identify the bipolar disorder symptoms that you or your family member has and will help in the search for the right treatment to follow..

The one thing that must be understood is that bipolar disorder cannot be cured. The bipolar disorder symptoms can be treated, however, it is a long term treatment that must be entered into. Levitra super active – effective sexual stimulation. With patience, you will be able to live a normal and productive life filled with the love and attention that you need.

I will stress that it is very important that you get all the information that you can before you start the process of treatments. Please look below for a very informative guide on how to proceed with this very important task.

Depression and Bipolar disorder

March 11th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

I want to talk a little about Depression of the brain and the chemicals that warrant such a depression or should I say the imbalance of certain chemicals causing depression.

First I want to talk about that feel good chemical called dopemine, the one that deals with the feel-good section of the brain. Your body produces this chemical on its own, yet when certain outside influences interfere in our lives like the death of a loved one, or your wife leaving you, or you losing your job, maybe sickness has struck you, or a heart attack has come across your path, or simply you just get bored of life, now you need to do things to make yourself feel good again because now your body has slowed down on producing this necessary chemical that gives meaning to life. That feel-good chemical called dopemine.

So what do you do because you do not feel good? You start to do things that you never did before in abundance, or in excess because now you have to try and make yourself feel good again. In a sense you are adding that dopemine hormone artificially only when you are drinking or taking drugs, or being sexually promiscuous, or start gambling and round and round and round we go and where she stops nobody does know. Why, because your body is no longer producing the dopemine on it’s own so you are artificially inseminating the dopemine into your body through addictions. Why, because now those are the only things that make you feel good. Those are the only things that get the dopemine flowing so to speak since your body has slowed down producing it on it’s own.

Now let’s talk about Seratonin. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that is primarily found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system (CNS) of humans and animals. This important chemical has to do with moods and decision making in life. When individuals are diagnosed as bipolar or even bipolar depression they are usually given a form of seratonin by their doctors to counteract the low count of seratonin in their brain due to their depression. It seem Bipolar Depression is very common nowadays and it seems the pharmaceutical companies are making a killing off the production of seratonin. Seratonin is found in many foods like seeds, and nuts and especially fruits and fruits with lots of seeds. Whenever you ingest lots of prescription medication it is very hard on the liver. So try and replace the chemicals your body is deficient in naturally, like fruits and vegetables and nuts and seeds. Save your liver at all costs. The liver is the filter of the human body and the more prescription medication you take the more harm you are doing to your liver. So if you are harming the liver you will have a host of other problems down the road.

Now let’s talk about Oxytocin which is referred to as the love chemical by most health care professionals. Oxytocin as well is related to our moods, but more importantly on how we relate to others. Most people who are deficient in this chemical of the brain have come from a very abusive past or have undergone an extremely hard upbringing as a child. They usually are distant to strangers and have a hard time in relationships or in relating to others. Have you ever wondered why you keep breaking up with your girlfriends or boyfriends or why you have a low trust factor in others. Chances are you are lacking in this one very important chemical of the brain. This is because of the things that have happened to you as a child and growing into adulthood. The bad experiences of life.

Now that we have talked about Oxytocin how do we ingest it back into our system. Since it has to do with love and relationships developing strong bonds with family and friends is the key. If you have a hard time with people you have to learn to trust some people some of the time and let them know what is happening in your life and in your head. Share with those closest to you what you are going through. Not only will you ad the oxytocin you are lacking back into your brain but you will also learn to trust people who really want to help you. So let people in, it is detrimental to your mental health and stability. In the Greek Language the word intimacy actually means “into me see.” So let people in. It all has to do with love, loving others and learning to love yourself.

Finally let’s talk about Cortisol. That stress hormone that has to do with the Cerebral Frontal Cortex of the brain that has to do with decision making and mood swings. It has come to the attention of most neurologists recently through many studies done on women who had children under stress or when they were severely depressed that their children lacked this important stress hormone in their bloodstream. Wow that is huge when you think of it. If the mother was severely depressed in giving childbirth then usually the child had a greater chance of being depressed throughout their lifetime. Not to mention a majority of those individuals are diagnosed as Bipolar or suffer from bipolar depression.

Again what is the key to depression. Intimacy ( into me see ) let other people in. Don’t hold it in share your feelings with others and let others help you. The very worst thing in the world you could do is to isolate which is your natural tendency. They don’t understand and I just want to be left alone. No, No, No, get some help and some counseling. Suicide has become the number four killer in the world today all because people wouldn’t let others in. Talk about your problems with others, and Pray. God is listening but you don’t think so because God works through people and you won’t let people in. So in a sense you won’t let God in. Think about the word God ( Good Orderly Direction). The only way you will have good orderly direction in your life is if you let other people in and let them know what’s going on in your head. They truly want to help you if only you will let them.

Causes of Adult Depression

March 7th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Depression is worryingly common in adults. It can occur at three different levels: mild depression, moderate depression and severe depression. There are many tell-tale signs of this disorder, and the more a person is depressed, the more of these signs will be present in your behavior. Depression affects one in four women and one in 10 men at some point in their lives. Among its most common symptoms are persistent sadness, low energy, sleep disorders and appetite, and inability to take pleasure in pleasing activities. Depression is debilitating for the patient and agonizing for loved ones to watch. However, when this disorder is cleverly managed, the treatment is successful in about 90 percent of patients. This is accompanied by symptoms such as changes in sleep and appetite, loss of energy, loss of self-esteem, difficulty concentrating and preoccupation with death or suicide. In some cases, people become depressed irrationally convinced that something is happening terrible to them, such as poverty or fatal disease. The depressed person may withdraw from friends and family, and being unable to work. In children, depression may present as morbid preoccupation with death and dying. Children and adolescents sometimes experience bouts of helplessness, hopelessness and despair that are diagnosed as major depression.

Studies show that between 6 and 19% of the population will suffer from major depression at some point in their lives. Appears to be an “organic” disease in which the tendency to develop this condition can run in families, that depression can occur for no apparent reason and when the person has undergone significant changes in your life, and that misery can resolve with medication treatment alone, in some cases. Depression is a serious condition that can affect all areas of your life. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood involves a drop in mood in response to a specific stressful event. Bipolar disorder involves low mood similar periods of major depression, with periods of high or irritable mood as well. Depression can also occur as a biological reaction to certain physical illnesses (e.g. stroke affecting the left frontal brain, hypothyroidism, pancreatic cancer) or to chemical substances (e.g. alcohol, methamphetamine, anti ß-blockers -hypertensive). Although the symptoms are less intense than in major depression, dysthymic disorder lasts for years. Depression in adolescents can be difficult to detect because sulkiness, irritability, antisocial behavior, negativity and withdrawal often go hand in hand with the growth.

Causes of Adult Depression
1. Hormonal/physical changes.
2. Stroke.
3. Heart attack.
4. Traumatic Events.
5. Alcohol abuse.
6. Parkinson ’s disease.
7. Hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of adult depression
1. Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
2. Weight gain or loss.
3. Withdrawal of friends and family.
4. Feelings of uselessness or guilt.
5. Irritability.
6. Anger, anger, anxiety.
7. Lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
8. Agitation.

Treatment of Adult Depression
1. Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the causes of depression and helps to change patterns of negative thinking.
2. Family therapy as an adjunct to individual therapy can address the patterns of communication
3. Creative expression through drama, art and music, is often a positive outcome for the strong emotions of adolescents.
4. Medication for depression should be used cautiously and only under careful supervision.
5. Group therapy is often very useful for adolescents because it decomposes the feeling of isolation that many adolescents experience

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

March 6th, 2010 Dan Hicks No comments

Bipolar disorder could cause mood swings that will range all the way from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. During the lows, an individual may feel sad or hopeless or perhaps lose interest in several activities. When mood shifts into the other way, an individual may feel enraptured and full of energy. The incidence of mood shifts might be as little as a couple of times a year to as much as a number of times a week. In a few cases, biploar mood disorder can cause evidence of both depression and mania at the same time.

Though not everyone may realize it, bipolar mood disorder is a real condition. It is a quite serious illness. Some folks have a combo of bipolar schizophrenia, which is even more tricky to govern and treat. There are 2 different versions of the bipolar disorder, leading to some different symptoms and the necessity for rather different treatments, though the two forms are identical in nature.

Generally bipolar treatments will need long-term treatment since it’s not a chronic, relapsing sickness. Medicine alone won’t entirely control all symptoms , however , so the best treatment strategy often involves a combination of medicine, care, lifestyle changes and social support. Diagnosing bipolar disorder can at times be tough, and that’s the reason why it’s important to work with a trained psychiatrist.

So far, there seem to be one or two different factors involved in causing and causing either a manic episode or bipolar depression. A number of these factors include, the environment where stress or significant loss can play a role in the disorder. And eventually, folk with bipolar disorder seem to have physical changes in their brains and researchers believe that understanding these changes can help identify the causes of the disorder.

Bipolar disorder is essentially split into several different sub-types, and each one has a different pattern of bipolar disorder symptoms. If somebody suffers from Biploar I disorder, the mood swings can cause significant problems in a job, relationship or college. Manic episodes can be serious and perilous. So far, there seem to be several different factors concerned in causing and triggering either a manic episode or bipolar depression. A few of these factors include, the environment where stress or serious loss can play a role in the disorder. It’s also far more commonly found in those who have a blood relative, such as a sibling or parent, with the disorder. And eventually, folk with bipolar disorder seem to have physical changes in their brains and analysts believe that understanding these changes can help pin down the reasons for the disorder.

Bipolar disorder symptoms

December 19th, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

Bipolar disorder, sometimes also called manic depression, affects an estimated 5.7 million adult Americans. It is described as a major  (mood) disorder in which the sufferer experiences episodes of both mania and severe depression.

It is a serious and very real illness, believed to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. While everyone experiences up and down moods, the peaks and valleys of this disease are more severe and can negatively impact all areas of your life.

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, thinking, energy and behavior, resulting in manic behavior at one end and then serious depression at the other. More than just a brief change in mood, these extremes are known to last for days, weeks, or even months.

While manic, someone might experience tremendous highs in energy, requiring little sleep. They may act erratically, even dangerously at times, and show severe lack of judgment. Hallmarks of this reckless behavior can include drinking, drug or even food binges, spending sprees, or sexual promiscuity. While in a manic state, a person may experience delusions of grandeur, racing thoughts and increased irritability.

The depressive phase of this illness has symptoms similar to the more common mental illness of clinical depression. In many ways, it is the opposite of mania. In a depressive state, a person might lack the energy or motivation to get out of bed all day. He or she may be overwhelmed with feelings of hopelessness or loneliness. Sometimes, the sufferer may be completely apathetic and have no interest in the activities they usually enjoy.

While some people experience both manic and depressive periods equally, it is more common for periods of depression to be more pronounced, and manic phases might be a mild enough nature that they are hardly noticed.

In some severe cases, the sufferer may experience psychosis, or a break with reality where the individual’s thinking is affected along with his or her mood. This can happen in either the manic or depressive phases.

Bipolar disorder affects nearly every part of a person’s life, extending also to the physical condition of the sufferer. It is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and migraine headaches. Furthermore, people with bipolar disorder are at a high risk of committing suicide, and may abuse alcohol or drugs in either phase of the disease (which, unfortunately, often serves to worsen the symptoms).

Only a qualified mental health professional can determine if someone is suffering with a bipolar disorder. Psychiatric treatment of this disease is critically important for those who are diagnosed. Medication plays an essential role in treatment, but a holistic approach can contribute to recovery. Regular exercise, healthy, routine sleep patterns, a balanced diet and a nurturing environment where stress is minimized can greatly contribute to managing this disorder.

Typically, medications are prescribed by a psychiatrist (although in some states, other mental health professionals may prescribe medication as well). There are many different medications, and people respond differently to each one. Your mental health practitioner may need to try several until satisfactory results are achieved.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting the symptoms of bipolar disorder, see a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible, and take heart: proper treatment of the illness can help restore you to a happy, fulfilling life while lessening the effects of both mania and depression.

Bipolar Disorder Signs

November 23rd, 2009 Dan Hicks No comments

When manic, people that have bipolar disorder usually feel very elated,energetic, self-important, as well as irritable. On the other hand, when they feel depressed, these types of people usually feel painfully sad, have negative thoughts and feel indifferent to the things that they used to feel happy about.

These symptoms of the disorder even seem simple enough until you add the fact that their manic episodes include rapid-fire speech, impatience, racing thoughts, inappropriate sexual advances, self-destructive behavior, and the formulation of grandiose plans involving indiscriminate investments of money. Not a pretty sight, I tell you.

When depressive, you will see such signs as loss or increase of appetite and sleep, hallucinations, false beliefs, pessimism, sense of worthlessness and vulnerability, excessive tiredness, and thoughts of committing suicide.

I once noticed a friend like that, but at the time, I did not even know of the set of symptoms that were classified as bipolar disorder. I lost that friend to the disease, and I have been more careful ever since. You cannot be too carefree or careless with the chance that you or someone close to you may have bipolar disorder. You have to get diagnosed the very first day that you notice the first few signs and symptoms of the condition so that you can get the best treatments available for the disease.

Once you notice any of the signs of this or similar disorders it is necessary that you consult with your doctor for relevant treatment options. Whether the symptoms relates to manic or depressive state, it is important that you talk to the physician about it so as to get the needed cure or treatment at the right time… before it gets too late!