How to Recognize Symptoms of Bipolar Depression

It is more common for the bipolar to seek out medical attention during a bipolar depression mood swing than a bipolar mania mood swing. While the mania leaves the patient feeling full of energy and on top of the world, the depression can feel like a weight is pressing on the body. Both bipolar depression and mania can be treated and the earlier the symptoms are recognized, the more effective the treatment may be.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Keep a journal to track mood swings. At the beginning of bipolar depression, the changes in mood may be very subtle. A journal can help to track these changes for immediate recognition of symptoms as well as tracking of symptoms for future patterns. A physical journal is not needed. The popularity of social networks makes tracking emotions quick and easy. Feeling different? Take a look at your updates on your various social networking pages and see if there is a change in mood.

2. Understand that bipolar depression does not always start with sadness. The mental symptoms of bipolar depression are the most publicized, but there are physical symptoms that may appear before the mental ones. The physical symptoms associated with depression may include the need to sleep, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and a loss of coordination.

3. Make use of a list of depression mood changes. Inevitably, bipolar depression comes with a laundry list of emotional changes. These can include a feel of worthlessness, apathy, sadness, feeling lonely and thoughts of suicide.

4. Keep contact numbers in a visible place. Once the mood swing toward bipolar depression is recognized, the doctor in charge of care needs to be contacted. These symptoms can be treated, but if the doctor is unaware of the situation, the depression can grow to the point of being too much to bear in a short period of time.

Tips & Warnings

• ALWAYS seek out medical attention if you feel a bout of bipolar depression is beginning.
• NEVER feel like the depression is your fault.

[cygnetbrown]

on 8/8/2009 Great tips! Good Luck with your quest!