Bipolar Depression Disorder Symptoms People suffering from bipolar depression might experience difficulty staying at school or work as well as strained relationships with family members and friends, and an increased chance of consuming alcohol and drugs abuse Untreated symptoms can lead to feelings such as irritability or thoughts of suicide In addition to periods of extreme "down" moods, a few sufferers experience manic episodes These can include being able to sense, hear or smell things that aren't there hallucinations and believing in things that aren't real delusions 1 Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness Bipolar depression is characterised by feelings of despair and worthlessness During a depressive episode, a person may feel down or empty, or depressed and may also feel a sense of guilt or worthlessness These symptoms can make it difficult to cope with daily life and could lead to the loss of enthusiasm for activities that once brought pleasure In extreme cases, the feeling of a lack of value can trigger thoughts of suicide or self-harm In addition to feeling worthless People who suffer from bipolar disorder are having trouble connecting to their good qualities and believe they aren't worthy of love https//wwwiampsychiatrycom/depression-symptoms can be particularly challenging when it comes to relationships that are intimate, such as those with family members or romantic partners If this happens, it's essential to seek out help from an expert in mental health, or contact 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to speak with someone 24/7 Bipolar disorder can cause both depression and mania at the same time This is known as a mixed episode A person can feel both the negative emotions associated with depression and the high levels of energy and false belief that are associated with mania, all at the same time Symptoms of mania can include being happy and excited and spending a lot of time talking and laughing, being too confident and ambitious, and having hallucinations or delusions, which involve seeing or hearing things that aren't real Combining medication and therapy can be used to combat these ailments Stress reduction techniques such as a healthy diet and a regular sleep schedule can also aid It is important that you adhere to the treatment plan that your doctor has prescribed since abruptly stopping treatment can trigger severe episodes Additionally, psychotherapy talk therapy can assist you in working through the issues driving your mood swings 2 A decrease in interest in activities you used to enjoy A decline in interest in activities that you normally enjoy is one of the indicators of depression This can include activities, hobbies, or spending time with friends and family It is important to remember that depression is a real condition, and it can take some time to be able to feel better You should consult with your doctor for treatment of your symptoms People suffering from bipolar disorder have intense mood swings as well as energy levels and levels of activity This can lead to periods of feeling extremely "up," elated, angry, or excited known as mania to periods of feeling extremely "down" and sad known as depression The mood swings of bipolar disorder can be present for a few days, weeks or even months Major depressive disorder is the most well-known form of depression It can be caused by a difficult event in your life, such as losing a job or the loss of a family member But, it's crucial to keep in mind that depression is different from the normal negative feelings that you may experience in response to a life event Depression is severe, persistent, and does not go away by itself Your doctor can treat your depression using medication or psychotherapy Medicine can help manage your mood episodes and prevent them from occurring however it is important to take your medication on a regular basis as prescribed by your doctor Antidepressants, mood stabilizers such as lithium, and other medications can be prescribed for depression You can find more details about specific medications that are used to treat depression, including side effects and warnings, on the FDA website Certain individuals can benefit from brain stimulation therapy, which involves using magnetic or electrical waves to activate or inhibit certain brain regions 3 Difficulty concentrating A person with bipolar disorder experiences periods of unusually high energy and activity mania or "manic" episodes which are followed by severe depression This can make it difficult to concentrate on work or other tasks It can also lead to problems at home or in relationships Most often family and friends are the first to notice changes in a person's behavior Difficulty concentrating can also be an indication of a medical issue, like a head injury, or neurological issue Anyone suffering from these issues need to talk to their health care provider and seek a diagnosis It is normal for people to have difficulty concentrating, particularly when they are tired or stressed But this is usually temporary and improves as the person is able to rest or becomes more relaxed Mental illness like anxiety or depression can cause difficulty concentrating It is crucial to get a correct diagnosis, as it will assist the doctor choose the best treatment Researchers discovered that the difficulty in concentrating was connected to trait anxiety, and all three clinical severity indices This is in contrast to previous findings, which showed that difficulties in concentrating were not associated with other symptoms related to GAD after depression was statistically controlled Joormann amp; Stober 1999 Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about your concentration A combination of medication and therapy can help It could take months or even years to find the right treatment plan, and you'll need to follow it closely Early treatment can decrease the severity and frequency of depressive or manic symptoms It also can prevent them from occurring again Other strategies for prevention include keeping a mood diary that allows you to notice the early symptoms of an episode and prevent or reduce stress 4 Feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy The incredibly lows of depression can be accompanied by feelings of self-doubt and despair It's important to remember these feelings aren't your fault and that you aren't worthy of them If you're depressed and are contemplating self-harm You should seek immediate help Bipolar disorder can cause episodes of depression and mania These are called mixed episodes In a mixed episode, you might feel both low and high however the highs aren't quite as intense as the lows It is also possible to experience rapid mood swings, which can cause you to jump from one state to another Symptoms of mania or hypomania can include feelings of energy and excitement, heightened irritability, increased activity levels, false beliefs delusions and paranoid or irrational behaviors In a hypomanic or manic phase, you're more likely to spend money and take on risky behaviour If you're struggling to manage your finances, it's a good idea to establish a long-lasting power of attorney that appoints someone to manage them for you If you're experiencing mood swings lasting for 2 weeks or longer, it's a good idea to speak to your doctor They will inquire about your symptoms and look for signs of bipolar disorder They might suggest that you keep a mood diary or a chart to see whether you can spot any patterns They might refer you to your local NHS community mental health team CMHT if they think that you're experiencing an extreme manic or depressive episode, or if there are concerns regarding your safety You can find a list useful contacts and resources on the Bipolar UK website 5 Feelings of despair or worthlessness Bipolar depression can be difficult to recognize It is crucial to inform your doctor about any feelings of sadness, despair or a sense of worthlessness you feel It could take months or even years for you and your doctor to come up with the most effective treatment plan Bipolar disorder is characterised by intense excitement, elation and energy known collectively as manic episodes as well as periods of extreme sadness, hopelessness and apathy known collectively as depression episodes These mood swings can make it hard to complete everyday tasks These mood swings can be caused by feelings of irritability, impulsiveness and racing thoughts These mood episodes can also cause sleeplessness and a change of appetite These episodes could last for more than a week and occur at regular intervals in your life They may be triggered by certain events, as well as alcohol or drugs Stressful life events such as moving, getting divorced or married, or getting an entirely new job or losing an old one can trigger a psychotic episode Cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines are other drugs that can trigger an episode Certain prescription medications like antidepressants and sleep aids, can also cause an episode Depression in bipolar disorder is severe and may increase the risk of suicide Suicide is more frequent among people with frequent depressive episodes, a mixed episode or the history of suicide or early onset Other risk factors include previous suicide attempts, a history of drug or alcohol abuse and an ancestry of psychotic disorders Bipolar disorder isn't curable, but you can manage the symptoms and live an active and healthy life with the help of good medical care and a treatment program that includes medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes It is crucial to stick to your treatment plan even when you feel better