Symptoms of Bipolar

Bipolar disorder is a very complex mental health condition that involves having feelings of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder was first noticed as far back as the 2nd century and in 1913, Emil Krapelin named the disorder manic-depressive. After further studies and research, bipolar disorder replaced the term manic-depressive disorder in 1980.

It should be known that bipolar disorder can be broken down into 3 different types and they include:

1. Bipolar I Disorder - Having had at least one manic episode, but not necessarily any depressive episodes.
2. Bipolar II Disorder - Having had at least one hypomanic episode and at least one depressive episode. Hypomanic is basically a mild form of mania. It lasts for only a few days and isn't as severe. With bipolar II disorder, the manic and depression periods last much longer than that of hypomanic.
3. Cyclothymia - The mildest for of bipolar disorder. It involves having emotional highs and lows, but no where near the severity of bipolar disorder I or II.

Though studies are still ongoing about the different aspects of bipolar disorder, it is estimated that as high as 20% of bipolar disorder sufferers will commit suicide. It is imperative to get help if any of the symptoms below are experienced.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms of bipolar can be divided up into 2 different phases that include mania and depression. When somebody has been diagnosed or may think they have bipolar disorder, they will experience emotional highs and lows (mania and depression). Both phases involve experiencing the symptoms that may range from mild to severe in intensity.

Mania Symptoms

• Euphoria (great sense of well-being, feeling high or extremely happy)
  
• Amplified self-esteem
• Extremely irritable or agitated
• Jumpy
• Drug or alcohol abuse
  
• Talking more fast than normal
• Racing thoughts
• Shopping and spending a lot of money
• Increase in sex drive
• Easily distracted
• Unable to concentrate
• High risk behavior (gambling, impulsive spending/investments)
  

Depression Symptoms

• Sadness
• Thoughts or actions of suicide
• Irritable
• Feeling hopeless
• Loss of interest in activities
• Feeling tired
• Problems falling asleep or staying asleep
• Changes in appetite (eating less or eating more)
• Digestive issues
• Unexplainable physical pain or hurt
  

It's important to remember that if any of these symptoms are experienced, an appointment should be made with a medical doctor immediately.

The exact causes of bipolar disorder are not known at this time, although studies show that it is likely due to some kind of chemical imbalance in the brain. Researchers do seem to agree that bipolar disorder stems from both physical and environmental factors. Physical meaning psychological, such as having a chemical imbalance and environmental factors being the experiences that are faced on a day-to-day basis.

Studies have shown that bipolar disorder or any other mental illness can be hereditary and passed on to immediate family. For example, a parent who suffers from bipolar disorder is more likely to have a child with bipolar disorder at some time in their life. It should be noted that just because a parent does have a mental illness, it doesn't automatically mean their child will. It's a very complex illness that is still being researched on an on-going basis.

A bipolar test or quiz can be found online if you or somebody you know thinks they might have signs of bipolar disorder. The bipolar quiz or test that you find online isn't a clinical diagnosis, it is just something you can take to determine if you should see a clinical doctor to discuss the symptoms of bipolar that you are experiencing. Only then can you receive a proper diagnosis.

If you think you may have symptoms of bipolar disorder, it's always important to talk with somebody you trust. Although some people are against the use of medications to help with mental illnesses, sometimes they are the only way to provide a good chemical balance in the brain and it may be the only thing that will truly work.

Bipolar Disorder Medications

The medicines that are usually prescribed for those with bipolar disorder treat the symptoms of both the mania and the depressive.

The most commonly subscribed are:

• Abilify
• Effexor
• Fluoxetine
• Isoptin
• Lexapro
• Lithium
• Paxil
• Prozac
• Topamax
• Wellbutrin
• Xanax
• Zoloft
• Zyban

Many of these medications do have side effects and sometimes they will work perfectly, other times they will work for a period of time and occasionally they can make depression worse. It's important to keep in close contact with your physician and tell them any side effects that you experience.