Bipolar depression, or manic depressive illness, is a disorder of the brain, characterized by uncommon shifting of an individual’s mood, energy, and capability to work. One minute, the person might experience mania, the next he might experience signs of severe anxiety.

Everybody goes through the typical ups and downs in life. Bipolar anxiety is different in that the extent and rapidity of the shift from manic to depressive are beyond what a normal individual would experience. Typically, the signs of bipolar depression are so extreme that they can result in harmed relationships, poor task or school performance, and even suicide.

According to a current survey report, about 5.7 million American grownups age 18 and older have bipolar depression. That has to do with 2.6 percent of the whole population. The bright side is that bipolar depression can be dealt with and those struggling with this health problem can lead full and productive lives.

Symptoms

The most important thing to remember about bipolar depression is that there are two state of minds included, each of which are accompanied by distinct sets of symptoms and indications.

During a manic episode, the signs can include:

* Increased energy, activity and restlessness

* Excessive feelings of being “high”, excessively good, or euphoric

* Extreme irritability

* Racing ideas and talking extremely fast; typically quickly jumps from one idea to another

* Easily gets sidetracked; can not concentrate at all

* Needs little sleep

* Unrealistic beliefs in one’s capabilities and powers

* Poor judgment

* Costs sprees

* Increased sexual drive

* Abuse of drugs, especially cocaine, alcohol and sleeping medications

* Intriguing, invasive, or aggressive habits

* Denial that anything is wrong

When an individual is in a raised state of mind accompanied by three or more of the above signs, nearly every day for one week or longer, the medical diagnosis is likely a manic episode. If the widespread state of mind is irritability, it needs to be accompanied by four other symptoms in order to call for a diagnosis of manic episode.

Throughout a depressive episode, a person with bipolar depression may suffer any of the following:

* Pervasive sensations of unhappiness, stress and anxiety, or vacuum

* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, guilt, insignificance or vulnerability

* Marked decline of interest or pleasure in activities once delighted in, including sex

* Decreased energy, feelings of tiredness or of being “slowed down”

* Restlessness or irritability

* Sleeping excessive or sleeping insufficient

* Unusual weight-loss or gain

* Chronic pain or other relentless bodily symptoms without any recognized cause

* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

To diagnose a depressive episode, the individual should show 5 or more of these symptoms as well, and they need to last the majority of the day, almost every day, for a duration of 2 weeks or longer.

Everybody goes through the normal ups and downs in life. Bipolar depression is various in that the level and rapidity of the shift from manic to depressive are beyond what a regular individual would experience. Frequently, the symptoms of bipolar anxiety are so serious that they can result in damaged relationships, poor task or school performance, and even suicide.

According to a recent study report, about 5.7 million American adults age 18 and older have bipolar depression. The great news is that bipolar anxiety can be dealt with and those suffering from this disease can lead complete and productive lives.