Tuesday

How to Determine Bipolar Disorder Symptoms and How Is It Treated?

Bipolar is considered a disorder that can greatly affect an individual and their family. This particular illness causes unusual shifts in the person's brain causing the the person affected to experience severe mood changes. Generally, it is characterized by depressive episodes and accompanied by a manic episode.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depressive illness.These days it is called bipolar because of the two extreme poles that make up the condition. Bipolar disorder affects feelings, thoughts, behavior, and perceptions. Experts say that it is brought about by the chemical and electrical elements found in the brain that are not functioning properly.

What are Episodes?

The episodes are divided into four types: depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed mood.  When a person feels depressed, he or she feels sad and don’t want to do the usual things. Those that exhibit mania usually become angry and irritable. The milder form is known as hypomania which can lead to either depression or mania. Others who have episodes with feelings of depression and mania mixed together is called mixed mood.

Bipolar Symptoms

Symptoms are divided into depression and mania. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt. These individuals sleep too much or too little and experience changes in appetite or weight. They always feel tired, restless, and can't make a sound decision. The worst case is when the person thinks about suicide and death. Here are some specific signs and symptoms that a person with bipolar disorder shows:

•    Excessively happy or euphoric mood
•    Increased energy, and restlessness
•    Quickly distracted
•    Racing thoughts and lack of focus
•    Little sleep needed
•    Spending sprees
•    Poor judgment
•    Unrealistic beliefs in their abilities
•    Increased sexual drive
•    Drug abuse, such as cocaine, sleeping medications, and alcohol abuse
•    Aggressive behavior
•    Denial that anything is wrong

Bipolar Treatment - Medication and Therapy

With the right treatment and care bipolar symptoms can be managed. It can be can be treated with medication and psychiatric therapy.The following

Omega 3

There are many researches showing that omega 3 found in fish oils and in certain fishes are excellent for bipolar patients, as well as those having mental illnesses. There was a significant research done in 30 bipolar patients for four months. It was a placebo-controlled and double-blind study. It aims to compare omega 3's efficacy versus olive oil or placebo for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

According to researchers, bipolar disorder is a neuropsychiatic illness that has a high mortality and morbidity. In their preliminary study, it was proven that omega 3 performed better and resulted to longer remissions based on the four scales of symptom-severity. Further studies are still underway, and researchers are hoping that they can come up with new classes of psychotropic compounds that can be used as mood stabilizers.

Herbal Remedies

Most people resolve to the use of herbal supplements instead of taking prescribed drug medications. But not all herbs are good for the treatment of bipolar disorder. In fact, there are certain herbs that can worsen the condition of a bipolar patient. Some herbal supplements actually have a harmful reaction when used together with certain drugs so you will want to consult your doctor before taking any herbal medication in conjunction with other drugs.

Nutritional Diet

You have to adjust your diet, and this means checking your meal menus everyday. The nutrients which the body receives are very important. Holistic physicians use b-complex, magnesium, and thiamin for episodes of depression.

Counseling and Therapy

If you're suffering from bipolar disorder, you can also talk to your pastor, priest, or rabbi instead of talking to therapists. The religious community may be of great help during these times. In fact, the community is now recognizing the role of spirituality and prayers. In can even be included in psychotherapies and medication.

Other therapies such as dance, art and exercise are also of value in treating bipolar extremes. Music can also help calm people and help them to relax.

Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicines or the culturally based ones like shiatsu, reiki, acupuncture, yoga, Ayurveda, talking circles, and sweat lodge are only typical examples. All these healing arts are based on balancing the states of the physical, spiritual, and emotional for the wellness of an individual. If the forces in your body are imbalanced, you will likely get an illness.

Wednesday

Bipolar Disorder and the Phases of Mania and Depression

Historically, persons with bipolar disorder may have been called simply moody or even insane at times. Later, the diagnosis was called manic-depression. While this term is still now and again used, the generally accepted term is "bipolar complaint".

The pair major phases of bipolar complaint are mania and depression. There are other facets of the illness, but they are all aspects of the two. Bipolar disorder is found equally in males and females. About 1 percent of the populace can be seen to have bipolar condition.

Mania can be further divided into two categories: hypomania and full-blown mania. Hypomania is simply a state of intense energy and often high productivity. Those who never exceed this point in bipolar complaint can be great salesmen or high-powered men in business. The issue is that, for many, full-blown mania is barely around the corner.

Full-blown mania tends to have more devastating effects on the person with bipolar complaint. The activity becomes so intense that ventures are undertaken with no actual possible for success, although the person with bipolar disorder cannot see that fact.

There is no consideration for the aftermaths of actions. Money may well be spent which is needed for basic needs. Checks can be written when there is no money in the account. People with bipolar condition are likewise often overly generous and expose things that they highly treasure or can't afford to divulge. They tend to regret these gifts later.

The manic state in those with bipolar condition can be characterized, too, by a gregariousness that is beyond the ordinary out-going person's. This may result in, among other things, sexual exploits that will result in unwanted results like pregnancies, disease, or harm to human relationships.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder can lead into a time of psychosis. This is marked by bizarre thoughts, such as delusions, or hallucinations. When in a state enjoy this, people with bipolar complaint cannot protect by themselves from hazards in their environments because they no longer know what is real.

Generally with mania, eventually there comes depression. The person with bipolar condition may retreat into seclusion, could even go to sleep for days. Sleeping, appetite, and energy level will all be effected.

The gravest danger for the person with bipolar complaint is suicide. All threats should be taken seriously, obviously. Nonetheless, during the depression phase of bipolar complaint they should be especially guarded against.

There has also been a tern for those who abuse drugs and alcohol to aid them manage bipolar disorder. This is addressed "dual diagnosis". It occurs especially in grown-ups and teenagers. These addictions further complicate both the diagnosis and remedy of bipolar complaint. However, it seems to go beside the disease in numerous situations.

People with bipolar disorder have a broad variety of problems to manage. The aim of optimism is that numerous have found ways, through medicine, therapy, routines, and other ways, to have some degree of control.

Individuals have been having troubles such as these for hundreds of years. It is only in modern times that there has been enough help for the problem. The name for bipolar condition is newer than the ailment, but whatever you call it, its effects can range from the hard to the life threatening. Curative can be crucial.

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Monday

Recognize the Signs of Bipolar Symptoms - Manic, Psychotic and Depressive

There may come a period when a person needs to figure out if the one they loved needs to seek help for their problems. In point of fact, there may come a time for many when it is essential to be in a position to recognize bipolar disorder characteristics.

Bipolar complaint symptoms fall into three main categories. These are the manic manifestations, psychotic symptoms, and depressive bipolar condition characteristics. If several of these signs are occurring, it may be time to go in for an interview.

Manic bipolar condition characteristics are numerous. They all share a particular feeling, though. Everything is faster, grander, and generally bigger than life. An individual in a manic state might be more active than normal. He/she may think and talk faster than he or she ordinarily does. Everything about that person is exaggerated, including their overwhelming feeling of self importance.

Such a person may have grand schemes and adventures in the works. When these plans do not pan out, that person will broadly speaking position the blame on some extraneous factor if, in point of fact, he/she takes the time to consider it in the least. Usually, it's simply off to the next idea. These are the not only whimsical behaviors, but are actually bipolar disorder signs.

When manic, people tend to be reckless. They can finally end up doing things that effect their personal human relationships or may go so far as landing them in jail. This may be observed by someone who is not tuned in to bipolar disorder manifestations as simply an issue with their conduct. The truth is that people need curative to do better. It isn't just a point of making up one's mind to do the correct thing.

There are, in addition physical bipolar condition characteristics of mania that may be rather obvious. A person who feels little or no requirement for food or sleep may come to be in a manic state. While some may well be in a position to function this way, at any rate for awhile, a good number of us need rest and sustenance to maintain ourselves.

Psychotic bipolar disorder signs come mostly with mania, but can come often with mixed moods and often times with depressive bipolar disorder characteristics. Psychosis merely denotes a chance with reality. This can enter the sort of hallucinations, both auditory (hearing voices, etc.) and visual. Delusions, or false beliefs, are also bipolar condition characteristics. For instance, an individual may falsely feel that he/she is actually some famous historical figure.
 
During depression, bipolar condition signs can often be easily seen if one is willing to look carefully. Apathy can be a signal of depression, but other clues are even more telling. Indecisiveness and low pride seem to go together in depressive bipolar signs.

Physical bipolar condition characteristics of depression comprise fatigue, weight gain or loss, and eating or sleeping more or not up to usual. The individual who is displaying bipolar complaint signs of depression appears to be telling the world that they simply doesn't care enough take good physical care.

One should never search for trouble where there is none. There is no have to be petrified of any slight variation in the moods or traits of a loved one. Nevertheless, if things just don't seem right, it doesn't hurt to be able to recognize bipolar disorder characteristics.

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Thursday

How to Manage and Reduce Manic and Depressive Bipolar Episodes

The following are some ways that may help you to reduce manic and depressive episodes. To what extent these self-care activities help, I do not know, but one thing is for sure if you do nothing then nothing changes.

Keeping yourself on a daily schedule is vital. It is important to eat 3 meals a day or eat small amounts throughout the day. Eating one meal later on in the day has been said to make your BP harder to treat. This new eating schedule will also assist you with weight loss that many face when taking medications.

It is imperative that you stay on a schedule regarding your sleep too. Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time. Lack of sleep can trigger mania. Many people with the BP have difficulty leaving an enjoyable project due to having the BP to go to bed and get the rest we need. We need to sleep at least 8 hours a day, depending upon how much your body needs.

Keeping a mood chart daily can be valuable by helping you and your Dr. determine which medications are helping, etc. Also, it is important for you to keep one so that you can learn to identify your triggers. Is it stress or something else? Take a new diary and write in it every day and take it with you every time you visit the Doctor and show it to him.

Managing your stress is extremely important as stress can easily trigger an episode. Learn what works to reduce your stress. This could include: exercise, meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, soft music, etc, try and remove yourself from all stressful situations when possible. Long walks first thing in the morning is the best medicine to help clear your head and set you up for the day.

Exercise helps to reduce depression, especially aerobics, and also helps to rid you of manic extra energy. If you are just starting out and not in good shape, be sure and see your Dr. before you begin your exercise routine. In regards to aerobic exercise, people have experienced a great deal of difference in their moods, their stability, outlook on life, plus energy level and they sleep better as well. You will come to realize that aerobic exercise has been rated very high as an effective treatment for bipolar disorder.

Try and avoid Caffeine, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs, Smoking, Toxic People and/or Negative People, Stress and Antihistamines at all times. Vitamins and Herbs are not recommended in lieu of medication for Bipolar.

Bipolar disorder is a medical disorder requiring a lifetime of medication. Many people literally gamble with their lives by thinking that vitamins, herbs and nutritional supplements can be taken instead of medication. This attitude opens one up to episodes of mania and depression.

Your diet should contain lean protein such as chicken, lean red meat, turkey and complex carbohydrates, which will come from vegetables, fruits and some grains. Avoid sugar and saturated fat, and avoid alcohol, dairy products, caffeine, carbonated beverages, food colourings, flavourings, preservatives and other additives.

Food allergies can aggravate mood swings so if you feel a mood change then turn the lights down, no loud sounds. Remove yourself from a stressful situation. Take any medication your Dr. recommends. Call Dr. if needed. Slow deep breathing. Close your eyes and do some guided imagery. Imagine yourself in a safe, beautiful place where you are completely relaxed.
 
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Tuesday

Recognize Different Types of Bipolar to Receive the Correct Treatment

One of the toughest parts of proper bipolar treatment is actually determining the correct diagnosis. One of the largest reasons for this is the fact that there are several types of bipolar disorder. Also the characteristics of the episodes are so diverse from patient to patient that it could take a long time to determine an actual pattern in which to base a diagnosis on.

The different types of bipolar are characterized by the patterns in the frequency, length, and severity of episodes of depression and/or mania. Determining which type of the illness is present is necessary to accurately prescribe medication for treatment.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar I 

This form of bipolar disorder is the most severe of all the types. It is characterized by having at least one episode of both mania and depression with each lasting more than a week with little to no break in symptoms. The most extreme cases of mania are found in bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar II 

Unlike Bipolar I, this type of the illness consists of milder episodes of mania, known as hypomania, along with depression. The mania involved here is so mild that it is often overlooked as a problem, and could go unrecognized for quite some time. Long periods of no symptoms often occurs in this form of bipolar disorder.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar 

This is made up of at least 4 mood episodes in a single year. It is not uncommon for patients with rapid cycling to experience these mood shifts as frequently as weeks or even days. Rapid cycling most commonly develops over time and can occur even after diagnosed with another type of bipolar disorder.

Cyclothimic Disorder

This disorder is characterized by extremely mild episodes of both mania and depression. It is possible for this condition to worsen over time.

Mixed Bipolar Disorder

Mixed Bipolar is determined by experiences of both mania and depression occurring at the same time. A patient with this form would have upshifts in mood and energy with depressive thoughts present, or vice versa. This has a potential to be very dangerous for suffers, as being pulled in both directions at once is such a physical and mental strain, moreso than other forms of bipolar disorder.

Uncatagorized Bipolar Disorder

Uncatagorized is for bipolar suffers whose mood shifts fall into no pattern identifiable with other types of bipolar. This makes bipolar treatment difficult because with most forms you develop a pattern and you tend to become aware of whats coming, but with uncatagorized you are constantly guessing.

Understanding and recognizing the different types of this disorder helps tremendously with bipolar treatment.
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