The Initial Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder: Spot Them Early
Many bipolar sufferers are unaware that their condition exists. The initial symptoms of bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic depression, start to manifest during adolescence and can be triggered at any time.
Fortunately this disorder, thought to be a chemical brain imbalance, can be treated very successfully. The main concern is to spot the initial symptoms of bipolar early, so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and the appropriate treatment started.
If someone in your circle of family and friends has bipolar disorder, then you would already know the effect it has on their daily lives. Contrary to popular belief, individuals suffering with bipolar disorder are not always depressed and morose. The very nature of bipolar means that wild mood swings occur moving from high to low in a short space of time. These mood swings can be quite difficult to distinguish.
The illness is highly likely to recur frequently, affecting a person for their entire lifetime. The best long-term treatment is achieved by fostering and maintaining a strong support group. This of course is totally dependent on being able to spot the initial symptoms of bipolar disorder in the first place.
HOW TO SPOT DEPRESSION
Correctly identifying depression is a tricky exercise, and can baffle even the most experienced professional. One obvious sign of depression is a sad or anxious mood manifesting over an extended period. Another can be lack of motivation or desire to participate in activities which would normally be enjoyed by the person, for example hobbies, sex or social activities.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A MANIC EPISODE
The most noticeable behavior is a euphoric mood and increased level of energy. These characteristics are quite evident and easily noticed. Other signs include over generosity, spending sprees, hypersexuality (increased sex drive), loss of concentration, and grandiose feelings of invincibility.
SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOSIS
In serious cases of bipolar disorder, the associated extreme mood swings can progress into psychosis symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations. While others can recognize psychosis quite easily, the patient is often unaware of them.
MIXED BIPOLAR STATES
Sometimes a mixed state of a bipolar disorder occurs, where the sufferer simultaneously experiences depression and mania. Symptoms often include sleep deficiency, appetite changes and agitation. Patients with mixed bipolar states can be extremely depressed but still possess high energy levels.
IDENTIFYING MORBID THOUGHTS
One of the most feared bipolar symptoms for the loved ones supporting a bipolar sufferer is the appearance of potentially morbid thoughts. Any suspicion that a patient is thinking morbidly and contemplating suicide should be acted upon immediately. In such cases a 911 emergency call should be made as a standard preventative measure. Better to be on the safe side than suffer a tragic suicide.
If the true nature of a person’s condition is to be revealed, recognizing the initial symptoms of bipolar is vitally important. Improper diagnosis can lead to a prolonged lifetime of suffering. All too often a patient seeks medical advice when suffering from depression, but they do not think it important to disclose their manic episodes. This is mainly because they feel good, and connect their manic periods with happiness and a normal state.
Research and study has now heightened awareness of this condition. More and more people are becoming educated and can recognize the initial symptoms of bipolar disorder. Information and guidance is now readily available through quality resources on reputable websites and from local mental health clinics.
How lucky we are to live in an age where the debilitating nature of such a condition can be halted by identifying the initial symptoms of bipolar early, allowing patients and their loved ones to lead normal, productive and healthy lives.
Jean Littman is married to a bipolar sufferer and is co-owner of BipolarClues.com which provides quality resources and tools for bipolar disorder and manic depression sufferers and their loved ones.
Celexa and Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a mental illness that manifests itself as mood swings or mood cycling between depressed, manic, or normal moods. There are two types of bipolar disorder. The first type, sometimes called raging bipolar, manifests itself as almost constant mild mania, with periods of sever mania alternating with depression. Mixed episodes where the patient displays both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time can also occur with this type of bipolar disorder.
The second type, sometimes called rapid cycling bipolar, manifests itself as almost constant depression, with alternating periods of mania and severe depression that can often last a few hours or a few days before cycling to the next episode.
Depression symptoms include oversleeping, extreme sadness, feelings of worthlessness or despair, irritability, anger, and withdrawl. Manic symptoms include sleeplessness, increased energy levels, distractibility, racing thoughts, obsessive behaviors, and extreme happiness.
There are many treatment options for bipolar disorder. Most patients with bipolar disorder require a combination of medication and therapy or counseling for successful treatment of symptoms. However, minor cases of bipolar disorder may not require medication, but may require instead cognitive behavioral therapy. There are some cases, such as in patients with a history of drug abuse, where medication may be recommended but is not a viable treatment option. These cases typically also use cognitive behavioral therapy to assist patients in coping with their illness.
Celexa is an anti-depressant, commonly used with bipolar patients. Celexa, or citalopram, is a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI. This family of medications has the effect of balancing serotonin levels in the brain, which are thought to be responsible for mood stabilization.
Celexa is most successful as a treatment for unipolar depression and bipolar disorder type two patients. This is because it is an anti-depressant. Serotonin, the chemical in the brain that balances moods and particularly controls strong emotions, often presents imbalances in the form of depression. Celexa corrects these imbalances, giving the patient relief from depression.
Celexa is most successful as a treatment for bipolar disorder type one patients when used in combination with a mood stabilizer. As an anti-depressant, Celexa alone causes bipolar disorder type one patients to swing into a manic episode. Used in combination with a mood stabilizer or anti-psychotic, however, can allow for a balance of moods to take place, ending rapid or raging mood cycling.
Celexa has several possible minor side effects when used for treatment of bipolar disorder. Common side effects include drowsiness, cotton mouth, nausea, and trouble sleeping. Less common side effects include abdominal pain, anxiety, gas, headache, heartburn, increased sweating, pain in muscles or joints, increases or decreases in weight, weakness, and vomiting. If these side effects persist or become unbearable, you should contact your doctor.
Celexa can also have several possible major side effects when used for treatment of bipolar disorder. Common major side effects include a decrease in sexual desire or ability. Less common major side effects include agitation, confusion, blurred vision, fever, increase in urinal frequency, lack of emotion, decreased memory, skin rashes, and trouble breathing. If you experience any of these side effects you should contact your doctor immediately.
Friends, family and patients with bipolar disorder should keep in mind that even when using anti-depressants such as Celexa, suicide, suicide threats, and suicide attempts can still occur. Always be aware of the signs that can lead to suicide so that medical treatment can be found before an attempt is made.
Bipolar disorder should, in all cases, be treated with a combination of Celexa, or other medications, in conjunction with therapy or counseling. Bipolar disorder patients are encouraged to take active part in their treatment plans. Additionally bipolar patients should not attempt to self medicate or treat symptoms with medication alone. If you show symptoms of bipolar disorder, you should contact your doctor about Celexa and other treatment options.
To learn more, check out Bipolar Disabilities Guide.
Panic Attacks: 5 Unknown Secrets Of Panic Related Attacks
Panic attacks are characterized by a sudden episode which seems to cause a hindrance to our normal everyday lives. While panic attacks are often ignored as a normal occurrence, it needs to be understood that panic attacks are the root cause for various ailments, besides of course, a dull, listless and terrifying life. Taking cue from the above statement, let us now throw some light on the lesser known secrets behind your panic attacks.
It May Have Been Be Triggered From A Past Episode
Anxiety panic attacks are known to be triggered owing to a past experience. It is a kind of trauma which has been witnessed in the past but is yet to be forgotten by our brain. When a person suddenly recalls this past episode through a seemingly visual appearance, he/she is said to have suffered a panic attack. It is interesting to note that over 95% of the total patients suffering from panic attacks seem to have developed a fancy towards panicking unnecessarily and have not witnessed a life threatening situation before.
Anxiety Panic Attacks Have A Short Life Span
Whenever you are said to be suffering from an anxiety panic attack, you are in reality panicking for about a minute or two. Thereafter, you tend to simmer down and within half an hour to an hour from the time you suffered a stress panic attack, you are back to your normal self again. It has also been studied that three fourth of the patients suffering from a stress panic attack are women. While treating panic attacks, it has been noticed that most patients fall in the age group of 20 to 30 years. Hence, these attacks seldom affect teenagers and people who are over the age of 40.
Panic Attack Symptoms an Be Detected By The Patient
Panic attack symptoms can easily be studied by the patient. In case the patient is suffering from a raging heartbeat, is having difficulty in breathing, is terrified to the extent of being paralyzed with fear, is nervous and shaking, is feeling lightheaded, is choking, has chest pains, has a tingling sensation in the toes and fingers and feels as though he/she is about to go crazy or die, the patient is said to be suffering from a panic related attack. Causes of panic attacks can be plenty but if you suffer from any one of these symptoms, you need to get yourself treated through a tried and tested natural therapy.
The Main Reasons Behind Anxiety Disorders
While sleep panic attacks are known to be caused by a past trauma, most attacks which exhibit a high anxiety level are said to have been caused by a mental trauma which seemingly has left a lasting impression in the mind of the sufferer. These attacks often force the patient to rush straight to a medical center. Nonetheless, these attacks persist several times a month and may last for two to five minutes at a stretch. A large population of the American population is stated to suffer from severe panic attacks and is need for immediate medical assistance.
Medication Is Not The Cure For Anxiety Disorders
Most people who suffer from panic related attacks rush straight to the nearest medical center and try to cure panic attacks through sleep inducing drugs and anti depressants. Unfortunately, these drugs simply put you to sleep without even analyzing your disorder, let alone trying to cure it. In such a scenario, you need to adopt a tried and tested natural therapy which would eradicate the root cause of your anxiety attacks. If you wish to be free of these attacks, you need to be willing to forget your traumatic experience from within. Hence, a natural therapy is considered a permanent cure for your anxiety related problems.
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