It is a scary thing to know that you have bipolar. But don’t worry because bipolar today is treatable. There have been major breakthroughs in the field of bipolar treatment. There is usually a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy for this.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by the incidence of “manic” highs, followed by depressive lows. Usually, there is also a period of normality in between these two phases.
What is Mania?
You may experience extremely high energy where you feel as if your brain and body were suddenly put on high speed. Here, your thoughts and movements would be very quick. Though this may feel pleasant, it can also be quite dangerous and damaging. One of the worst things about being in a manic state is that you can do very compulsive things to family and friends without even thinking about it first. For instance, spending money that you don’t have simply because you want something, taking drugs and even engaging in behavior such as promiscuous sex and so forth.
Lows: Depression
The other side to the manic phase is the depression state. This is where the sufferer of bipolar hits a low point. There will be low self-esteem, excessive feelings of depression, fatigue and the inability to feel any of the pleasures of life. In this low phase, you may also feel guilty for your actions in the manic state. This further increases the symptoms of depression.
Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are different levels or types of bipolar. There are some who go through the phases of mania and depression very quickly while others go through it pretty slowly. The ones who go through the phases fast are constantly going up and down. From personal relationships to work life, these severe mood swings can impact life in a negative way.
Noticing Warning Signs
If you or someone you love suddenly has trouble sleeping and has a lot of excess energy for no apparent reason, be aware that this may be the beginning of a manic phase. Get to a doctor and get diagnosed as soon as you can. It’s much easier to treat the disorder early on than it is later. Not only can delaying treatment cause symptoms to get worse and even cause psychosis, but this type of disorder is very wearing on loved ones.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment
It’s best to nip it in the bud as early as you can if you notice problems. This is because even though the depressive phase arguably feels worse to the person with the bipolar disorder, the manic phase can actually be far more damaging to friends and family members.
Bipolar causes distinct mood swings that have great effects on interpersonal relationships. The mania associated with this disorder causes irresponsible behavior that has lasting consequences. A good example is hyper-sexual acting which can cause irreparable damage to marriages.
Help – Don’t Be Afraid to Get It
Don’t be afraid to get help for yourself or someone else you know if you suspect bipolar symptoms. Its a fact that there is a stigma associated with this disorder, but ignoring it will only make it worse in the long run. Getting help would make it better for you in time.