Depression and Bipolar Disorder – Understanding the Link
One of the oldest and most common symptoms associated with the bipolar disease is depression. Little or no attention can be paid to other symptoms such as mania, although it is not wise to do so. If a person becomes manic, he will experience the following symptoms: feeling free all of a sudden which makes the person to disregard laws, increased sexual drive, hallucinating, and a feeling of being strong all of a sudden. Let’s face it; all these symptoms echo the feeling of being drunk or high. Even so, that is exactly how a person feels when recovering from an ailment.
The following are features that signify a depressive episode. Anxiety and persistence; the affected person is overcome with a feeling of helplessness or unworthiness; he or she becomes a pessimist; loss of energy; lack of concentration; the person is deprived of sleep; he or she starts having suicidal thoughts; he is unable to remain calm and at one place; and he or she loses or gains an appetite.
Below are some accounts of people who had the depressive symptoms that are usually associated with bipolar disorder.
One person said his mind had immensely slowed down to a point where he thought that he was just useless. This made him doubt his ability to do anything correctly. Other people comforted and supported him by telling him that the situation was not permanent and that it would soon go away but the truth is that they had no idea of what and how he really felt.
Another person said to be hypomania talked of how excited he was. All forms of ideas would form in his head at tremendous speeds. He realized that he was no longer shy as he usually is and just as suddenly things started being very interesting. He then experienced a desire so have sex. The need to seduce and be seduced increased and he felt stronger, with a case of euphoria.
In a particular case of mania, the ideas became too fast and overwhelming. He lost his sense of humor and his friends started getting frightened of him. He became angry and short-tempered and he felt like he was trapped.
It is important that one recognizes the mood swings so that he or she can seek treatment early and avoid the long term consequences which can be quite harmful. Long term consequences include termination of employment, an end to a personal relationship, and even committing suicide.
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