Bipolar Disorder... Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Manic Depression

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a mental illness that is characterized by severe mood swings, repeated episodes of depression, and at least one episode of mania. Bipolar disorder is one kind of mood disorder that afflicts more than 1% of adults in the United States, up to as many as 4 million people. Here are some additional statistics about bipolar disorder: 

• Bipolar disorder is the fifth leading cause of disability worldwide. 
• Bipolar disorder is the ninth leading cause of years lost to death or disability worldwide. 
• The number of individuals with bipolar disorder who commit suicide is 60 times higher than that of the general population. 
• People who have bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of also suffering from substance abuse and other mental health problems. 
• Males may develop bipolar disorder earlier in life compared to females. 
• Blacks are sometimes diagnosed more often with bipolar disorder compared to whites.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder can look very different in different people. The symptoms vary widely in their pattern, severity, and frequency. Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over a lifetime. 

There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder:mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mania 

In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk a mile a minute, sleep very little, and are hyperactive. They may also feel like they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness. 

But while mania feels good at first, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode: gambling away savings, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making foolish business investments, for example. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive–picking fights, lashing out when others don’t go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior. Some people even become delusional or start hearing voices. 

Hypomania symptoms 

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel euphoric, energetic, and productive, but they are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives and they never lose touch with reality. To others, it may seem as if people with hypomania are merely in an unusually good mood. However, hypomania can result in bad decisions that harm relationships, careers, and reputations. In addition, hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode. 

Common signs and symptoms of mania include: 

• Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable 
• Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers 
• Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic 
• Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up 
• Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next 
• Highly distractible, unable to concentrate 
• Impaired judgment and impulsiveness 
• Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences 
• Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases) 

Signs and symptoms of bipolar depression 

In the past, bipolar depression was lumped in with regular depression. But a growing body of research suggests that there are significant differences between the two, especially when it comes to recommended treatments. Most people with bipolar depression are not helped by antidepressants. In fact, there is a risk that antidepressants can make bipolar disorder worse–triggering mania or hypomania, causing rapid cycling between mood states, or interfering with other mood stabilizing drugs. 

Despite many similarities, certain symptoms are more common in bipolar depression than in regular depression. For example, bipolar depression is more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness. People with bipolar depression also tend to move and speak slowly, sleep a lot, and gain weight. In addition, they are more likely to develop psychotic depression–a condition in which they’ve lost contact with reality–and to experience major disability in work and social functioning. 

Common symptoms of bipolar depression include: 

Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty. 

Irritability 

Inability to experience pleasure 

Fatigue or loss of energy 

Physical and mental sluggishness 

Appetite or weight changes 

Sleep problems 

Concentration and memory problems 

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt 

Thoughts of death or suicide

Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and racing thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Bipolar disorder treatment

If you're still living with symptoms of bipolar disorder, you should know that many people with the condition are able to manage their symptoms. Feeling better often involves a combination of education, medication, and therapy, including psychotherapy, or "talk therapy." There are
a number of different medications, including SEROQUEL XR, that have been shown to be effective in people with bipolar disorder.

Some of the goals of bipolar disorder treatment

• Reduce symptoms of depressive episodes
• Reduce symptoms of manic episodes
• Reduce the likelihood of future episodes/relapse
• Reduce the severity of the disease
• Provide assistance and support to patients and family

Bipolar disorder medication

Many types of medications are used to treat bipolar disorder. One medication approved to treat bipolar disorder is SEROQUEL XR. Learn more about SEROQUEL XR.
Your doctor can tell you what kind of improvements and potential side effects you may expect with SEROQUEL XR. It may take some time before you start to feel better, but by finding a treatment that works for you, and taking it as prescribed, you can work toward getting back to the things you once enjoyed.
Your health care professional will depend on you to let him or her know exactly how you are feeling, so your treatment can be adjusted, if needed. Use these questions to ask your doctor to help prepare for your next appointment.

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) for bipolar disorder

Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can make it easier for patients and families to better cope with disturbing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with bipolar disorder. Talk therapy focuses on several important aspects of bipolar disorder management, including:

• Recognition of and treatment for recurrent mood episodes
• Management of stress, interpersonal/family issues, and regularity of daily activities
• Development of problem-solving skills

Psychotherapy can be used in combination with medication and other treatment approaches.

Self-help for bipolar disorder

While dealing with bipolar disorder isn’t always easy, it doesn’t have to run your life. But in order to successfully manage bipolar disorder, you have to make smart choices. Your lifestyle and daily habits have a significant impact on your moods. Read on for ways to help yourself:

• Get educated. Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder. The more you know, the better you’ll be at assisting your own recovery.
  
• Keep stress in check. Avoid high-stress situations, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
  
• Seek support. It’s important to have people you can turn to for help and encouragement. Try joining a support group or talking to a trusted friend.
  
• Make healthy choices. Healthy sleeping, eating, and exercising habits can help stabilize your moods. Keeping a regular sleep schedule is particularly important.
  
• Monitor your moods. Keep track of your symptoms and watch for signs that your moods are swinging out of control so you can stop the problem before it starts.
  

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