Bipolar Symptoms

Dealing with a bipolar personality is becoming more and more prevalent. People are diagnosed every single day with bipolar disorder, and a common question for those struggling with a bipolar personality may be, should I tell other people about my illness?

Followed by this comes questions like who should I tell? Who shouldn’t I share it with? How much information is too much? Having a bipolar personality is nothing you should be ashamed of. It is an illness just like any other illness, and can be greatly improved with proper care and treatment.

Having a bipolar personality could end up being something that is just a reality for you, that you will have to deal with every day of your life in some way or another. That being said, why put yourself under additional stress by trying to keep it under wraps, or keep your disorder a secret from those around you.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to go around broadcasting your illness to every one that you meet, definitely not. Dealing with a bipolar personality is a private issue, and you should only be sharing it with those you are comfortable sharing it with. If that means that you want to tell your boss or your co workers you are suffering from bipolar personality, then by all means, do so.

If you prefer to keep the sharing limited to close family and friends, then that is your choice too, and there is no reason that you have to share your struggles with your boss or co workers as well. One thing to keep in mind, is that when you do share something like struggling with a bipolar personality with others, whether it is co workers or friends, be prepared for questions about it. Not everyone is familiar with the disorder, despite it’s rising prevalence, and some may have questions, and truly desire to learn more in order to be more supportive of you. In that case, sharing details about having a bipolar personality can help others be more accepting and open minded, which is always a good thing!

Bipolar children can be difficult to diagnose, and is usually more prevalent in teens and adults. However bipolar children have been diagnosed as early as 6 years of age, and symptoms have been seen as early as infancy.

Infants exhibiting constant restless behavior and sleep disorders, or throwing seizure like tantrums in anger were later diagnosed as being affected with bipolar disorder. Bipolar children will often show extreme cycling between moods, rapidly moving from extreme energy or mania and irritability, to lethargic like lows. They also experience neutral periods of “normalcy” in between cycles.

Most bipolar children are suffering because someone in their family has suffered. Things like bipolar disorder and depression have been shown to travel down the chain in families. One thing to keep in mind is that while adults usually have clearly defined cycles of mania and depression, bipolar children are typically all over the map, and can experience extreme highs and lows several times a day, often leading to a misdiagnoses of their symptoms.

Some things to look for in bipolar children are things like hyperactivity, destructive anger, rebelliousness, clingyness, and even bed wetting can be a symptom of bipolar disorder in children. Also irregular food habits are common, and irregular hunger pains, as well as mood changes, lack of interest in outdoor playtime, and hallucinations or delusions.

There are other symptoms that you can look for as well, but I just wanted to cover the basics. Bipolar children can also become ill due to environmental factors such as physical abuse, or broken families. If you fear your child is suffer from bipolar disorder, the earlier you can get him or her diagnosed, the better their chances of leading full and healthy lives. Bipolar children don’t have to suffer and feel sad or out of control all of their lives. It starts with you as their parent, seeking treatment and staying on top of it!

Mood disorders such as bipolar in children, can often be difficult to diagnose.  Often times, pyschosis and ADHD can be mistaken for bipolar disorder, simply because they too result in mood swings and altering energy levels.  Children by nature are anxious and constantly on the go, which makes it difficult to judge WHY they might be acting in such a way.

In many cases a doctor will perform a series of tests in order to diagnose bipolar in general, and spercifically bipolar in children.  Tests include family background checks, as bipolar disorder is often caused by childhood environment.

Medical history will be taken, and the doctor may ask you about any drugs you have recently taken, including the illegal ones.

References are utilized in diagnosing bipolar disorder, a doctor many times will find himself question your behavior with family members or friends.

Observational tests require you to participate in a series of tests that  that will observe moodswings and patterns, and in some cases, the way you dress, or your body type.

Mental health assesments depending on how much concern is warranted.  Another important thing to keep in mind is origins and cycles.  Keep a journal of when and where your manic episodes started.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that with children, abrupt and quick mood swings are the norm and can change in fact, several times a day.  There are some cases where children have exhibited both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder at the same time.

Bipolar in children can manifest itself in violent temper tantrums, touching themselves in inappropriate places, frequent headaches, stomach ache, and a myriad of other symptoms.  However, treatment as soon as possible is very important, as bipolar in children can be treated quite effectively when combined with therapy.  Over all, bipolar in children is tough to deal with, but rest assured, there is hope.

Mood disorders such as bipolar in children, can often be difficult to diagnose. Often times, pyschosis and ADHD can be mistaken for bipolar disorder, simply because they too result in mood swings and altering energy levels. Children by nature are anxious and constantly on the go, which makes it difficult to judge WHY they might be acting in such a way.

In many cases a doctor will perform a series of tests in order to diagnose bipolar in general, and spercifically bipolar in children. Tests include family background checks, as bipolar disorder is often caused by childhood environment.

Medical history will be taken, and the doctor may ask you about any drugs you have recently taken, including the illegal ones.

References are utilized in diagnosing bipolar disorder, a doctor many times will find himself question your behavior with family members or friends.

Observational tests require you to participate in a series of tests that that will observe moodswings and patterns, and in some cases, the way you dress, or your body type.

Mental health assesments depending on how much concern is warranted. Another important thing to keep in mind is origins and cycles. Keep a journal of when and where your manic episodes started.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that with children, abrupt and quick mood swings are the norm and can change in fact, several times a day. There are some cases where children have exhibited both the highs and lows of bipolar disorder at the same time.

Bipolar in children can manifest itself in violent temper tantrums, touching themselves in inappropriate places, frequent headaches, stomach ache, and a myriad of other symptoms. However, treatment as soon as possible is very important, as bipolar in children can be treated quite effectively when combined with therapy. Over all, bipolar in children is tough to deal with, but rest assured, there is hope.

Bipolar Signs, What To Look Out For

Many know that bipolar is a mental disease marked with severe mood swings. The symptoms may vary from person to person and can also be age dependent.

Bipolar Signs usually range from deep depression with sometimes suicidal thoughts, disturbed sleep patterns, physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach problems to a manic state with euphoria, a heightened energy level and a sense of invincibility. However, there are many other conditions that can also cause these signs, including life circumstances. A clinician will look not only at the signs and symptoms which could point to a diagnosis of bi polar, or manic depression, but will also look at patterns and durations of signs.
Here is a brief list of some of the signs that may be displayed during the different phases:

Depressive Phase

• Problems concentrating

• Problems with thinking

• Exaggerated feelings of guilt

• Thoughts of suicide

• Feelings of worthlessness

• Low energy

• Apathy

• Sleeping too much or not enough

• Changes in appetite -over eating or lack of desire for food

• Disinterest in activities

• Disinterest in interacting with people

• Weight loss or gain

• Physical aches and pains

• Gastrointestinal symptoms

Manic Phase

• Fast talking

• Racing mind

• Excessive behaviors

• Irritability

• Grandiosity

• Generally reckless behaviors

• Increased sex drive

• Euphoria

• Invincibility

• Endless energy

• Rebellious

• Decreased need for sleep

Reading this list it becomes apparent that most of us display one or some of these symptoms at times of stress in our lives.
These are only some signs of bipolar disorder. Obviously a diagnosis of bipolar is a very in depth investigation and should only be done by an appropriate medical practitioner.