Introduction
Defining the Illness:
Bipolar Disorder involves a series of moods that include at least one manic period and one or more periods of major depression (a detailed explanation can be found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV]) (Copeland 11).
The illness is very individualized. No two cases of bipolar are exactly the same.
Proper diagnosis and treatment can be difficult because of the variations in symptoms and/or severity of the illness. There are three general categories of symptoms involved in Bipolar Disorder. There is mania, hypomania, and depression. The frequency of symptoms and cycles varies from person to person. Moods can last for hours, days, weeks and even months. Often the moods alternate with periods of stability (otherwise known as normalcy)(Fawcett, Golden, and Rosenfeld 33-39).
Mania:
- Heightened mood and exaggerated optimism/self-confidence
- Decreased need for sleep---without fatigue
- Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
- Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
- Increased physical and mental activity
- Rapid, pressured speech, flight of ideas from one topic to another
- Distractability
- Poor judgement, impulsiveness
- Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, rash business decisions,
erratic driving, sexual indiscretions
Hypomania:
- Milder form of mania
- Increased energy, increased activity
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increased confidence
- Increased sexual drive
- Poor judgement, impulsiveness
- Euphoria
- Irritability
- Sometimes grandiosity---without psychosis
Depression:
- Markedly diminished interest/pleasure in all or most activities for most of the day
- Depressed mood for most of the day
- Significant changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Loss of motivation
- Loss of energy, persistant lethargy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
- Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
- Slowing of speech, thought or body movement
- Physical aggitation or restlessness
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Major Depression Frequently Shows but is not criterion for diagnosis:
- Irritability
- Anger
- Worry
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Physical symptoms such as pain or nausea
(Fawcett 37-39)
Works Cited
Castle, Lana R. Bipolar Disorder Demystified. New York: Marlowe & Company, 2003.
Copeland, Mary Ellen. The Depression Workbook: A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression. Vermont: New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 1992.
Fawcett, Jan, M.D., Bernard Golden, M.D., and Nancy Rosenfeld. New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder. Roseville, California: Prima Health, 2000.
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