How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Figuring out how to spot the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can be a challenge. The main focus is to review the various signs and symptoms and to maintain the patients’ physical and mental health through the various phases of bipolar episodes. When dealing with any psychiatric disorder it can be difficult to differentiate between one disease and another. Often times there can be misdiagnoses, as well similarities between various diseases.
What is Hypomania?
Hypomania is one symptom that is regularly associated with bipolar. Hypomania or hypo manic episodes are identified by feelings of glee, or elation. The person feels almost euphoric, and often displays signs of anxiety and irritability in relation to these moments.
Bipolar disorder is similar to other manic diseases; however there are some specific differences. Bipolar patients often suffer from psychosis that do not have a huge affect on their functioning until at the maximum.
Both Ends of Bipolar Disorder
When the patient is at the high end of the spectrum, at this phase of bipolar they often feel invincible, happy, positive and extremely elated. They tend to have the ability to think and act at a higher level than normal. This hypomanic episode tends to be the most ignored as friends, family and caregivers may think there is nothing wrong when the person is acting overly positive. It is important to note here that this behavior differs in relation to other manic disorders in that the person generally is aware that they are on the high end. Often they will display risky behavior, and act out in fearless inappropriate situations. Many have an increase in sex drive and may become overly promiscuous and flirty.
On the other end of the spectrum the depressive aspect of bipolar disorder can have a drastic feel? The person may be experiencing a high level of stress, or bouts of sadness that may trigger feelings of hopelessness. Suicide is also very common when the patient is at this level. People that are close to a person that suffers from this disorder should educate themselves on suicide prevention and ways to deal with the low end of the bipolar disorder. The bipolar patient may display high levels of anxiety, express unnecessary worry, and fear. They may become extremely irritable, angry and lash out at people around them. They typically lose interest in all aspects of their daily lives, and become withdrawn and have difficulty concentrating on simple tasks.
Lastly and what is thought the most dangerous is when the patient experiences both manic episodes as well the depressive episodes. Often they will switch from one to the other rather quickly. They may be in a manic state and induce themselves with risky behavior such as drug use, drinking alcohol and quickly then slip into a depressive mood.
Health care professionals agree that it is important to assess the patient’s medical history and physical health records to not only monitor patterns, but to also generate a plan of care action.
There are two levels or categories of the bipolar diagnosis. The first one is known as the BPI and the other is BPII. There are various signs and symptoms that either differ or remain consistent with regard to both categories. The depression aspect of bipolar disorder can be very serious. Often patients become suicidal with feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness being a common denominator. Mood swings are also a common occurrence among BPI and BPII levels.
