Understanding Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is a mood disorder characterized byperson to be unable to make simple life decisions. That
the alternation of depressive and manic states. Theis why it is important that people with bipolar
distinguishing characteristic of bipolar depression is thedepression educate their friends, family, and
presence of at least one episode of mania. It is alsoco-workers on the signs of their depressive episodes.
presumed to be a chronic condition because most ofSome of the warning signs that you should educate
the people having manic episodes are likely to havethese people on are:* Lethargy
another episode of it in the future. Every person with* Fatigue
bipolar depression has a pattern of mood cycles,* Insomnia
combining manic episodes with depression, which is* Lower activity levels
unpredictable until the path is found. Bipolar depression* Loss of interest in activities.Educating these people
usually begins during the teen or early adulthood yearsputs you in a position to help make sure you take
and continues throughout one`s lifetime. It`s usually notproper action at the start of the episode.The intensity
considered a psychological problem because itand frequency of mood swings will vary from person
happens in episodes, but those who have it mayto person. Individuals with bipolar depression may
suffer for years without proper treatment.The exactprogress to a different category of bipolar depression
cause of bipolar depression has not yet beenthat gets worse over time of their illness. There are
determined. However, most scientists agree that therefour categories of bipolar depression:*Bipolar I
is no single cause for being bipolar. Scientists believe*Bipolar II
that stressful factors trigger the first episodes of*Bipolar NOS
mania. One reason a person may be bipolar is that the*CyclothemiaThe treatment of Bipola I disorder
condition is genetic. It appears that many differentrequires one or more mixed or manic episodes. The
genes act together in conjunction with a person`sprevious course of the illness may include depressive
surroundings which create the symptoms associatedepisodes and hypomania, but the treatment requires
with bipolar depression. Another cause of bipolaronly one mixed episode. Bipolar II, the most common
depression could be from the differences in brainform of bipolar depression, is characterized by
structures. MRI tests have shown that those sufferingepisodes of disabling depression and hypomania. The
from bipolar depression may have slightly differentdiagnosis of Bipolar II requires at least one hypomanic
brain structures than the people who are not effectedepisode. This is used primarily to change from unipolar
by the condition. There is also evidence that bipolardepression. A patient may be depressed and it is very
depression may be triggered by environmentalimportant to find out if the hypomania has ever caused
stresses such as the death of a loved one, the birth ofmanic episodes in which the patient was in an
a new baby, or the loss of a job. After a stressfuluncontrolable state. Bipolar depression is not treated
event, a psychological cycle of depression and maniathe same way for everybody. Only your doctor can
develops in the people with bipolar depression.Somedetermine the proper cure and exact classification of
people do not understand that depression can cause abipolar episode.