Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a disturbance in the area of the brain that regulates moods. It is characterized by periods of mania alternating with bouts of depression. The swings between the mania and depression can be radical and quick.

Bipolar is usually diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 and 25. Although the reasons are unknown it is most often found to occur in people who have relatives who have also been diagnosed as bipolar.

A doctor can determine which type of bipolar disorder that you have. It can be bipolar disorder 1, previously called manic depression, which are periods of major depression and at least one episode of mania.

Major depression is considered to be when 5 or more of the symptoms of depression exist for at least 2 weeks.

These symptoms can include

1. trouble sleeping,
   
2. feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing,
   
3. change in appetite, aggression and irritability.

People with major depression often will withdraw from things that usually give them pleasure. They will find it difficult to even find the energy to get out of bed in the morning.

Mania is characterized by symptoms such as racing thoughts and an inability to concentrate. An increase in energy or hyperactivity may also be found.

Most notably reckless behavior will be seen. Impaired judgment can be shown in the form of spending sprees, binge eating or drinking and possible drug use. The use of drugs and alcohol only worsen the symptoms.

An elevated level of self-esteem may also be prevalent during periods of mania. This may be shown as believing you can do anything and that nothing can or will go wrong.

Bipolar disorder 2 is a less sever form of the disorder. It is characterized by periods of depression alternated with a lesser degree of mania called hypomania.

Hypomania differs from full blown mania in that is shows as elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness but never reaches a full mania.

There is a high risk of suicide with both bipolar disorder 1 and 2 regardless of whether they are in a manic or depressive phase.

It is important to note that everyone goes through periods of depression but not everyone has bipolar disorder. A doctor is best suited to diagnose any symptoms that you may have.

If you have seen any of these symptoms in someone in your life or even in yourself it is important that you seek medical help.

Bipolar disorder is not just a person weakness that will go away on its own and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Go get the help you need and it can be controlled.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

One of the best ways to diagnosis depression is to look at its signs and symptoms. Generally, people seem to understand that depression is a disease where a person is in low spirits, lacks interest in work, is unable to concentrate and suffers from pessimistic attitude. In short, a depressed person lacks the enthusiasm and vigour of life.

However, the key for pinpointing depression as the true cause is to focus on the length of time and all common symptoms. If you feel depressed and if your depression lingers for more than a few weeks, depression is more likely to be responsible. To further help give a proper diagnosis, one should also determine whether you are suffering with the various signs and symptoms of depression including:

• Loss of interest in regular daily activities
• Feeling sad
• Insomnia
• Feeling trouble while focusing or concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions and troubled cognitive behavior
• Unplanned weight loss or gain
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Feeling fatigued or weak
• Feeling worthless
• Loss of sexual interest
• Thoughts of a suicidal nature
• Unexplained physical problems like body aches and pains

Signs and symptoms of depression can appear at any age and at any phase of life. But depression is found more prevalent in elderly and in women. Ironically, it is often seen in the recent times that even teenagers are suffering from this malady.

Teenagers face a host of pressures. Teenagers often tend to be moody, a symptom that is very common in this age. As a result, it makes the understanding of their depression a bit more difficult. In depression, people withdraw from the society and appear to be sad. Alternatively, in teenage depression, the usual reaction of depression is aggression, rage, irritability.

Some of the signs of teenage depression are:

• Sadness or hopelessness
• Irritability, anger, or hostility
• Tearfulness or frequent crying
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Restlessness and agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If your teen suffers from serious teenage depression visit a doctor. The road to your depressed teenager's recovery may be bumpy, so be patient. Be sympathetic towards your child. A healing touch, a loving hug, kind words goes a long way in making your child feel happy and come out of depression.

Apart from the above signs and symptoms of depressions, there are host of other reasons for depression. They are death of near ones, separation, rejection in love, stress, anxiety, unfulfilled demands and desires of life, etc. Long duration physical ailments or some chronic disease also leads to depression. But there is a vast difference between "feeling depressed" and suffering from clinical depression. The signs and symptoms vary from person to person and they may wax and wane in severity over time.

Some of the clinical depression symptoms are:

• Persistent sadness, unhappiness or irritability
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Inability to enjoy anything beautiful in life
• Sudden change in appetite
• Disruption of normal sleep pattern
• Feeling low in confidence and self-esteem
• Difficulty in thinking and concentration
• Moving about sluggishly
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide.

Depression plays havoc in our life if left untreated. In fact, both our professional and personal life can get disrupted. An important point one must remember is that if signs and symptoms of depression stay for more than a few weeks, medical intervention is necessary.

For more information on Clinical Depression Symptoms, try visiting http://www.besttreatmentsfordepression.com - it is a website offering solid tips and information on different depression treatments and depression in general.