Are You Bipolar?

If you have ever swung between high and low moods, you may be wondering if these are symptoms of manic depression. To understand what you are experiencing, it helps to gain insights into the characteristics of bipolar disorder.

A person with manic-depressive illness may experience changes in thought, mood, energy, and behavior, which last for hours or days, or continue for weeks or even months. While daily living brings inevitable emotional ups and downs for most people, for someone suffering from bipolar disorder, the highs and lows are more pronounced and can be life-altering.

Mania

When someone is high or manic, they feel incredibly good. Feelings of euphoria can be intoxicating and self-confidence may soar. An elevated mood can result in overactivity. It is hard to feel ill when you are bubbling over with plans and bursting with ideas and creativity, when you feel more talkative and expressive than usual. Unfortunately, appetite and sleep patterns are disrupted and can go on the backburner, impaired judgment and impulsive decisions can result in reckless behavior, and irritation and anger can become harder to check.

Symptoms of manic depression are a mixed bag of tricks because often a “high” is followed by a “low,” a crash that can have severe consequences for you and for your loved ones.

Depression

The depressive or low phase of bipolar disorder can be very difficult to deal with. Worry can become pervasive; anxiety can feel overwhelming. Sadness, pessimism, guilt, and feelings of worthlessness do not make for comforting or constructive companions and when a person is grappling with these emotions, manic depression can feel like a life sentence that is all encompassing.

Why Me?

If you are wondering why you’ve been afflicted, take comfort that you are not alone. Many talented and intelligent individuals have struggled with this condition. Living with manic depression is far from easy.

Genetics

This illness appears to have a genetic link, seemingly running in families; although no gene has been identified that can be said to be responsible.

Psychological Factors

Children who have experienced traumatic events and suffered emotional damage may be at greater risk.

Stressful Events

Some have pinpointed a period of great stress as triggering onset of their condition and feel this may be at the root of manic depression in their case.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies are implicated in manic-depressive illness. Deficiencies in the nervous system and brain impact on the brain’s delicate balance, affecting neurotransmitters and the nervous system.

Neurotransmitter And Brain Imbalances

Malfunctioning neurotransmitters can result in impaired brain functioning. Our brains are like complex computer systems and when messages do not reach intended targets, fluctuations in moods and thoughts and changes in energy or behavior may result.

It is crucial to seek treatment for the high and low moods that are part and parcel of bipolar illness. This condition will not get better over time and has nothing to do with personal strength or willpower. In fact, it has been ranked as one of the most potentially fatal medical conditions.

Life does not have to be a wild roller coaster ride, where emotions swing from one extreme to another. With appropriate treatment, manic-depressive symptoms can be brought under control. You deserve the best that life has to offer. Bipolar illness does not and should not get the best of you.