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A.
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I’ll very
briefly summarize some important points about bipolar disorder, years ago
called manic-depressive illness. First, it is important to differentiate it
from unipolar depression for one primary reason: the treatments are different.
For example, the mood-stabilizing medications (one being lithium) are the
first-choice option much more often than are the antidepressants. If you have
something of an "under the radar" form of bipolar and go on an antidepressant,
it can at times bring about a full-blown manic episode. Another difference is
that there is more of a congenital predisposition to bipolar disorder. That
is, to a large degree it is something you are born with, whereas other forms
of depression a less predetermined.
Features of mania may include symptoms such as rapid, pressured speech, racing
thoughts, grandiosity or inflated self-esteem, poor judgment, reckless
behavior, high distractibility, agitation, a general spike in eccentric
behavior and, at times, psychotic features such as delusions or
hallucinations. These and other symptoms would be prominent enough to cause
notable consequences.
There are various types of bipolar, such cyclothymia, kind of a low-grade
version. There is a mixed state, where elements of mania and depression occur
together, and bipolar II, where depression seems to be the primary problem and
the up-swings are “hypo-manic”, briefer and less extreme.
Unlike with “basic” depression (if only there was such a thing), those with
bipolar need to keep a wary eye on early warning signs for upward as well as
downward swings. You may need to be extra careful to keep your life routine
and filled with other stabilizing influences such as good social connections
and solid self-care practices. Medications may well be a necessity for a long
time, whether you like it or not, and the prescriber may need to be a
psychiatrist or otherwise have specialized knowledge.
For more information, a good place to start is
http://www.dbsalliance.org/
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