Bipolar Depression
Bipolar disorder (formerly Manic Depression) is characterized by noticeable swings in mood resulting in changes in energy level, thinking and behavior. These mood cycles can last for days, weeks or even months. More than just a normal mood swing, bipolar mood swings are more intense and often interfere with your work and relationships and make it difficult to function day-to-day.
People with bipolar disorder often experience swings from depressed mood to mania or hyper activity. During manic episodes you might feel impulsive, making drastic decisions about spending money, or entering into relationships. You might find that you don’t need much sleep to feel rested and may feel more productive or more creative during these episodes. During a depressive episode you might be too tired to function normally and may experience hopelessness and deep sadness.
Bipolar disorder is unique to each person. There are a wide range of symptoms that can vary in severity and frequency. Some people tend toward the manic side of bipolar while others tend toward the depressed side. Some experience frequent (rapid cycling) mood swings, while others may experience only a few mood swings in their lifetime.
There are four types of mood episodes that occur with bipolar. They are mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.
During a manic phase of bipolar disorder, you may experience heightened energy levels, increased creativity and a feeling of euphoria. You may notice that you are talking more quickly and more often, that you require less sleep and that you feel hyperactive. Many people enjoy mania in the beginning however, it can get out of control. People often behave recklessly, gambling or spending large amounts of money or charging up credit cards, engaging in dangerous sexual activity, or making impulsive decisions about business or relationships. During mania some people become agitated or angry, may seek fights or lash out oat others. Some people also experience delusions or hallucinations and may hear voices during manic episodes.
Hypomania is a much milder form of mania. While experiencing hypomania you may feel more energetic and productive while still being able to function normally. Hypomania can feel like you are just in a very good mood. However, your judgment may still be impaired and you may make unhealthy decisions while in a hypomanic episode.
Some common signs of either mania or hypomania are: Feeling unusually “high” or energetic or feeling extremely irritable, Unrealistic beliefs about abilities or powers, Less need for sleep, Rapid talking, Racing thoughts, Inability to concentrate, Impulsivity, Restlessness, Reckless behavior, and Delusions or hallucinations in extreme cases.
Bipolar depressive episodes are different from regular depression. Many symptoms are common, however, with bipolar depression you are more likely to experience irritability, guilt, mood swings and restlessness. Treatment with antidepressants is generally not effective with bipolar depression. Common symptoms of bipolar depression are: Feelings of hopelessness, sadness or guilt, Irritability, Fatigue, Physical and mental sluggishness, Weight or appetite changes, Sleep problems, Concentration and memory problems and Thoughts of death or suicide.
A mixed episode displays symptoms of both mania or hypomania and depression. A combination of high energy and low mood signify a mixed episode. Many people experience depression combined with agitation, irritability, anxiety, insomnia and/or racing thoughts.
Types of Bipolar
Bipolar I Disorder (mania or a mixed episode) – The classic manic-depressive form of the disorder, characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. Usually—but not always—Bipolar I Disorder also involves at least one episode of depression.
Bipolar II Disorder (hypomania and depression) – In Bipolar II disorder, the person doesn’t experience full-blown manic episodes, but rather episodes of hypomania and severe depression.
Cyclothymia (hypomania and mild depression) – Cyclothymia consists of mild cyclical mood swings of both hypomania and depression that are less severe than full-blown mania or depression.
Counseling for Bipolar Disorder
In order to stabilize your mood swings you will need to be under the care of a skilled psychiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat your symptoms with medication. Counseling is an excellent addition to medication to help you regain control of your life. The most effective treatment for Bipolar focuses on helping you make adjustments in your life in order to cope with manic and depressive episodes. Counseling for Bipolar can also teach you to recognize the onset of manic and depressive episodes and take appropriate action. Bipolar therapy will also provide support, education and coping skills training so that you can live with this disorder with minimal impact to your life and relationships long-term.
Therapist Rick A. Combs uses Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to treat Bipolar Disorder. CBT is a structured and time-limited intervention. It is a comprehensive psychological therapy in which there is an emphasis on collaboration between therapist and patient, and on active participation by the patient in achieving therapeutic goals. CBT is also focused on problem solving. The central aim of CBT is to teach patients how their thoughts and beliefs play an important role in the way they respond to situations and people. CBT can play a role in teaching bipolar patients about their disorder and helping them deal with adjustment difficulties. CBT can also help patients cope with everyday stressors through active problem solving, and teach patients to monitor and regulate their own thoughts, moods, and activities, helping them to manage between-episode symptoms.