Posts Tagged ‘manic phase’

Bipolar Medication- Should You Take It?

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Bipolar medication in some cases is really unavoidable. Due to chemical imbalances in your brain, your brain is not functioning at full capacity, and may need help in the form of medicines or drug therapy. A catch 22 that generally occurs in people suffering from bipolar disorder, is that they begin taking bipolar medication, and start their road to becoming symptom free, only to realize that that is all that is happening. They are taking away the symptoms, and not providing a cure.

Many patients are tempted to stop taking their bipolar medication when they start to feel better, and truthfully, if your medication is working for you, that is the absolute LAST thing you should do. Bipolar disorder is generally an recurring disorder, and each time a patient suffers an episode, it is that much harder to get back on track and treat effectively. Un treated or poorly treated bipolar disorder can create lasting damage to a persons nervous system, which would end up making recovery 10 times more difficult, if not impossible.

Patients who are tempted to stop taking their bipolar medication should stop to think for a moment. Bipolar disorder affects judgment, especially during a manic phase. Despite the fact that you feel better now, and are feeling happy, stopping your medication would be a mistake that would land you right back where you were, and struggling all the harder to over come your disorder. Why derail all that progress?

A good way to keep yourself on the right path, is to create a checklist of your life before medications, and your life after. Was your life better or worse? In what ways does your bipolar medication effect you? How does it help you? Also, remind yourself what life is like when you are off meds, and enlist your family to keep you on track. An alternative to stopping bipolar medication, is speaking to your doctor about possibly reducing your dosages, and see how you do.

Also always keep in mind that stopping bipolar medication abruptly can result in some serious withdrawal symptoms, including pain and suicidal thoughts. Why put yourself back into such a dark place unnecessarily? Take your bipolar medication instead.

Signs Of Bipolar Disorder

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

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.

Bipolar Symptoms Home

Thursday, October 9th, 2008

Signs Of Bipolar Disorder

Last modified on 2008-10-25 20:55:24 GMT. 0 comments. Top.

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.