Recognition and Rescue: Bipolar Depression Symptom

Posted in Understanding Depression by on September 1st, 2009

There are many reasons why an individual may experience depression. At one time it was thought that depression was based on outward experiences in which the individual suffered depression due to negative circumstances. However, today it is widely believed that severe depression is caused by chemical imbalances.

In addition, there are many symptoms that are associated with the condition of depression. Some individuals experience a variety of emotional indicators. Some of those indicators could include being very sad, agitated or the individual may have trouble focusing their attention on the issues of life.

Additionally, some individuals may exhibit physical symptoms. Some of those symptoms could include being fatigued, experiencing aches and pains or other assorted physical ailments.

Furthermore, there are many types of depression. One such severe type of depression is bipolar depression. Therefore, if wishing to know more about this type of depression it is important to know what is bipolar depression and what are the major bipolar depression symptoms.

What Is Bipolar Depression?

Bipolar depression is a serious form of depression that is composed of two aspects. Those two aspects or phases are called mania and depression. Each of these separate components is characterized by their own specific symptoms.

In addition, the individual who has an onset of bipolar depression may exhibit either one of the stages or it may be a combination of both aspects. In addition the symptoms associated with bipolar depression vary from individual to individual as well as the severity of the symptoms that are displayed.

Additionally, bipolar depression, although a disease, cannot be diagnosed utilizing the typical techniques that are used to diagnose a patient with a particular disease. Some of those typical medical techniques that are used to diagnose a disease are x-rays, blood tests, etc.

Also, an individual who suffers from bipolar depression can experience deeper and lengthier episodes of being numb, unengaged, melancholy, etc. This is because a typical onset of bipolar depression lasts for about two weeks.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Depression

Because bipolar depression cannot be diagnosed with typical medical tests, it is important to identify bipolar depression symptoms. Those bipolar depression symptoms could include significant swings in the loss of appetite or weight loss. Specifically when it comes to eating the individual may have a special desire for certain foods or may not have an appetite at all.

In addition, one of the major bipolar depression symptoms is the inability for the individual to fall asleep. This condition is known as insomnia. However, it is important to note that because of the huge swings in the individual's lifestyle the opposite may be true. Therefore, there may be the symptom of excessive sleep.

Other bipolar depression symptoms can include a lack of vitality, the inability to focus, trouble speaking, severe feelings of unworthiness and thoughts of taking one?s own life.

Seeking Help

Finally, it is important for the individual or family to recognize depression and get treatment. The best treatment is to reach out to others. This can be accomplished by seeking support from fellow sufferers, treatment from medical professionals and the use of prescription medication.