It can be difficult to figure out how to tell someone you are bipolar. If a friend or loved one truly cares about you, then they will not pass judgment on you simply because you have a disorder. You should be prepared for people to ask questions. There are many aspects of the disease that they may not understand. These questions will be asked out of curiosity, rather than derision.

It is important to explain to those who are close to you that you have bipolar disorder. This provides those who care about you with an explanation to your behaviors at certain times, such as when you are experiencing a bout of depression. This can assist those around you with figuring out how to best help you during these periods, and you should be able to rely on your friends and family for support. There are some individuals who will react negatively to this news when you tell them. However, if this occurs, then you should simply let the situation go. You cannot control their reactions or their responses.

Before you tell someone you are bipolar, there are several questions you should ask yourself. First, is there a benefit, whether it be personal or professional, to you to tell this person? Secondly, what is your reason behind your desire to tell someone you are bipolar? Finally, does the person, such as a significant other or a superior at work, you will be talking too have a right to know about your condition? Bipolar disorder is an intensely personal issue, and it will be up to your discretion as to whom you inform about it.

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder occurs in an individual when the symptoms of bipolar disorder occur on an increased frequency. Generally, an individual with this type of disorder experiences episodes of depression or mania four or more times within a twelve month time frame.

It has been estimated that almost six million people within the United States suffer from this disorder, and approximately 10 to 20 percent of those with the disorder have rapid cycling bipolar disorder. Those who have been diagnosed with a bipolar II disorder have an increased chance of experiencing rapid cycling.

The symptoms of rapid cycling bipolar disorder, or any type of bipolar disorder, generally begin to occur when the individual is between the ages of 18 to 24, although these numbers are only an approximation. The two most defining characteristics of the disorder include at least one episode of mania in the patient’s lifetime and frequent, recurring bouts of depression. With bipolar disorder, frequent bouts of depression are interspersed with periods of mania or an elevated mood. Rapid cycling can be particularly difficult to diagnose in individuals. Because these individuals spend the majority of their time depressed, they are often misdiagnosed with simple depression.

When it comes to rapid cycling bipolar disorder, most treatment regimens are aimed towards treating and alleviating the depression. Common drugs that are prescribed for this disorder include Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. However, in a small percentage of individuals, the use of these drugs can often aggravate the symptoms of the rapid cycling. If this occurs, then mood stabilizers will often be prescribed in conjunction with the antidepressants. The most serious side effect of this type of bipolar disorder is suicide. With this disorder, an individual’s chances of attempting suicide increase 10 to 20 percent more than the average person.

Children and adolescents who suffer from pediatric bipolar disorder tend to exhibit either manic or depression symptoms. Commonly, periods of mania are followed by periods of depression. In most instances, these pediatric bipolar disorder symptoms begin to manifest themselves in a child between the ages of fourteen to eighteen. In almost all cases, the disorder will have fully developed by the time the child reaches the age of twenty five. Common manic symptoms include engaging in risky behaviors, being easily distracted, severe changes in mood, and an unexplainable increase in energy.

The most common depressive symptoms include loss of enjoyment in favorite activities, thoughts of suicide, low energy levels, and major changes in eating or sleeping patterns. If an individual’s child has symptoms matching the aforementioned ones, then he or she may need to take their child to be tested for pediatric bipolar disorder. Although rare, it is not unheard of for these symptoms to develop in children who have not yet reached adolescence.

Although the illness can affect any individual, it most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults who have a close family member that suffers from major depression or bipolar disorder. Traumatic life events or a familial history of drug and alcohol abuse can also place a child at a higher risk for developing this disorder. Pediatric bipolar disorder can only be accurately diagnosed by a mental health professional.

The treatment of this pediatric bipolar disorder usually involves the consumption of mood stabilizing drugs, such as lithium or valproic acid. It is also common for patients with this disorder to receive psychotherapy. The therapy is critical in enabling a child to understand their disease, adapt to different stress triggers, and to build self esteem and relationships with others. It is a serious illness; however, it need not serve as a deterrent for a child to lead a normal and productive life.

Here are some helpful books on childhood and teen bipolar disorder.

The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family by David J. Miklowitz PhD and Elizabeth L. George Phd.

What Works for Bipolar Kids: Help and Hope for Parents
by Mani Pavuluri MD PhD.

Bipolar disorder is overwhelming not only for the child, but also for the friends, family, and loved ones who are close to the patient. Parenting a bipolar child, especially when there are other children in the home, can seem downright impossible at times. However, there are several simple rules that parents can incorporate into their home life to make the process easier.

The first step is to treat your bipolar son or daughter as an individual. Each small accomplishment should be celebrated. This disease should not be allowed to become the child’s identity.

The second step is to encourage the bipolar child to engage in a variety of activities. Bipolar children tend to obsessively fixate on one activity at a time. It might as well be a healthy one. Opening the doors to music, sports, and academics can be beneficial to your son or daughter in numerous ways; however, it is important to restrain from forcing the activities on a child. Music and other art forms are often used as a method of bipolar child treatment.

It is also a beneficial form of bipolar child treatment to assign the child tasks that provide a sense of purpose and self esteem. Simple jobs around the home will increase the self confidence levels of a child in the home, as well as outside of it.

If trouble arises with your child, do not hesitate to help. Often bipolar children are lead to experiment with alcohol, drugs, or other risky behaviors. While it is important not to become an enabler in these situations, the bipolar child should know that they have help available to them when it is needed.

Most importantly, love should never be withheld from a child as a punishment. Parenting a bipolar son or daughter can be a difficult challenge, but it should also be an enjoyable time for both parties involved.

Here are three helpful book resources for raising a bipolar child:

The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder by Janice Papolos

Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm by Rosalie Greenberg

Positive Parenting for Bipolar Kids: How to Identify, Treat, Manage, and Rise to the Challenge by Mary Ann McDonnell

Individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder often feel as though they are suffering alone; however, this misconception is simply not true. Statistics about bipolar disorder, gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health, reveal that approximately 5.7 million individuals in the United States are afflicted with this disorder. This amounts to almost 2% of the population.

In the majority of patients, the disorder’s symptoms become apparent and full fledged by the age of twenty five. However, a small portion of these individuals, roughly 10% of bipolar patients, do not see an onset of symptoms until they reach their 40’s or 50’s. Another study conducted by the NIMH revealed that two thirds of individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder have at least one close relative who suffers from this affliction or who has suffered from major depression. Although scientists are unsure as to why, this same study also suggested that women are two thirds more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder than men.

Other bipolar disorder statistics show that children who have two parents who suffer from bipolar disorder are 55-75% more likely to develop this disorder than their counterparts. This percentage drops to approximately 15-30% if only one parent has bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder also leads to an increased risk in suicide for patients. According to the World Health Organization, one in five people who have bipolar disorder will commit suicide. Even those who do not commit suicide have, on average, a life span that is 9.2 shorter than that of an non-afflicted counterpart.

If an individual has a parent or child who suffers from depression or is at an increased risk for developing this disorder, then educating themselves about the disease, and its associated statistics, is a necessary step in order to combat the disease.

Risk factors for bipolar disorder are conditions or hereditary dispositions that increases an individual’s likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. The more risk factors that a person has, the greater their likelihood of contracting this disease is. Genetics is the one of the largest risk factors for bipolar disorder. An individual who has a blood relative who suffers from bipolar disorder is four times more likely to develop bipolar disorder than a person who does not have such a relative. The statistics are similar for those who have relatives who suffer from minor to major depression.

Bipolar disorder usually develops in individuals between the ages of 16 to 24. It is thought by the medical community that bipolar disorder may also develop as a person’s response to stressful or major life changes, such as the death of a loved one or extended periods of stress. Scientific studies are currently underway to determine the role that drug and alcohol abuse play as a bipolar disorder risk factor.

Although doctors are unsure as to why, certain diagnosed childhood and adolescent ailments may lead to the development of bipolar disorder in an individual later in adolescence or in young adulthood. These ailments in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, social phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, and physical health problems, such as obesity.

Different types of medications, such as those for corticosteroids and certain thyroid conditions, and certain medical conditions can present with symptoms that similar to that of bipolar disorders. These potential causes for concern should be eliminated before the official diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made. Certain factors, such as an individual’s gender and birth order, may also place them at an elevated risk for the development of bipolar disorder. On average, women tend to have higher instances of cyclothemia and rapid mindset cycling that are associated with this disorder.

Bipolar disorder and manic depression has been the topic of several Hollywood films. Here are the best of the fiction movies about bipolar disorder. You may find some similarities in the stories of these movie characters in your own life or your loved one’s life.

A Fine Madness

The first on the list of bipolar disorder fiction movies is A Fine Madness. A Fine Madness was released Sept. 23, 1966 and stars Sean Connery, Joanne Woodward and Jean Seberg. In this fictional movie about bipolar disorder, A Fine Madness tells the story of a frustrated poet, Samson Shillitoe. Shillitoe is a woman magnet who is behind in alimony payments. Shillitoe lives with a woman named Rhoda, a waitress, who is very supportive of him. Rhoda tries to get Shillitoe to see a psychiatrist when he has a breakdown because he can’t seem to finish one of his big poem projects. A Fine Madness is 104 minutes in length.

You can purchase A Fine Madness from Amazon.

Mr. Jones

Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones, released, Oct. 3, 1993, is a film about a man who seeks treatment from a female psychiatrist. The psychiatrist, Dr. Elizabeth “Libbie” Bowen, steps over the line of patient, doctor relationship when she falls in love with Mr. Jones. Richard Gere plays the role of Mr. Jones and Lena Olin plays the part of Dr. Bowen. The movie Mr. Jones is 114 minutes in length.

Mr. Jones is available from Amazon.

Blue Sky

Another one of the best fiction movies about bipolar disorder is Blue Sky. The movie Blue Sky is about a military couple, Hank and Carly Marshall. Hank Marshall is an Army engineer under a lot of pressure because he has taken a stance against nuclear testing. His wife, Carly, has a mood disorder which causes a lot of havoc at each new Army base. Blue Sky was released Sept. 16, 1994. It stars Jessica Lange has Carly Marshall and Tommy Lee Jones as Major Henry “Hank” Marshall. Blue Sky is 101 minutes in length.

You can purchase Blue Sky from Amazon.

Mad Love

Mad Love is another film on the list of best fictional movies about bipolar disorder. In this teen film, Matt Leland,  straight laced good boy falls for Casey Roberts, a young lady dealing with mental issues. So much so that her parents check her into a mental hospital. Matt and Casey decide to run away together. Mad Love stars Drew Barrymore, Joan Allen and Chris O’Donnell. Based on reviews of the movie Mad Love, Barrymore has done a good job of portraying someone with mental illness. The movie has a run time of 93 minutes. It was released May 26, 1995.

Purchase Mad Love from Amazon here.

Bulworth

Bulworth is the last on our list of bipolar disorder movies, but certainly not the least. The movie Bulworth is about a senator, Senator Jay Bulworth, who has a manic depressive and suicidal episode during his re-election campaign. This movie has been reviewed as funny and clever in its approach. Bulworth stars Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle and Oliver Platt. It was released May 15, 1998 and is 108 minutes in length.

You can purchase Bulworth from Amazon.

For people genetically at risk for manic depression, symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder can manifest in a person’s late teens or early twenties. Many people experience their first bipolar symptoms as they enter adulthood.

Because of hormonal changes teens go through it can hard for a parent or loved one to tell if their teenager is bipolar or just experiencing some natural moodiness. If bipolar disorder of mental illness runs in the family, it can send a parent or the teen into panic mode about the teen’s moodiness. It can make a person question if the teen is bipolar or not. That’s where a qualified mental health professional steps in to help.

If you have a teen, or you’re a teen wondering if you have bipolar disorder, check out these symptoms and signs of bipolar disorder in teenagers.

Signs of mania in teens include a decreased need for sleep, increased energy, racing thoughts, poor judgment, a heightened mood, lots of irritability, aggression, having trouble concentrating and acting recklessly.

Signs of depression in teens include if the teen has lost interest in the usual things he or she has had interested in, drop in grades, loss of appetite, excessive worrying, overeating, thoughts of suicide or death and low energy.

Bipolar disorder symptoms in teens can be different from adults in that the teenager may experience rapid cycling more often going from mania to depression with the day.

If you are a teen and think you have bipolar disorder or depression, talk with a parent or another trusted adult to ask for help. You can get the diagnosis you need to get help for how you’re feeling. Being moody because of hormonal changes can be a part of growing up, but seek help if you feel as it’s something deeper than that.

There are numerous books to help teens with bipolar disorder. Here are a couple suggestions:

The Bipolar Teen: What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family

The Bipolar Handbook for Children, Teens, and Families: Real-Life Questions with Up-to-Date Answers

Mental illness, including bipolar disorder, is often seen as a taboo topic in society, but there are brave men and women that share their stories through personal bipolar disorder blogs. And they share without shame. If you are bipolar, you may find it helpful to follow along with the experiences of these bipolar bloggers.

Here is some information about four bipolar-related personal blogs.

1. Julie Fast, Bipolar Happens. In this blog Fast shares her experiences with bipolar disorder and how she copes with mood swings. She was diagnosed in 1995, a year after her partner was diagnosed with the illness. In addition to her her bipolar blog, Fast is the author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, which I personally recommend as well as Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability.

2. Philip Dawdy, Furious Seasons. In the second bipolar blog on the list, Dawdy, a journalist, writes about bipolar disorder and mental health issues. He was diagnosed in 1989, when bipolar disorder was known as manic depression. Now he blogs tackling the many complex issues surrounding the mental health community.

3. Seaneen, The Secret Life of a Manic-Depressive. This third bipolar blog is written by a woman from the United Kingdom. It gives a personal glimpse into her life with bits of humor and seriousness, depending on what’s going on in her life at the time.

4. Susan Bernard, Bipolar Wellness Writer. Four on this list of personal bipolar blogs is another professional writer, Susan Bernard, who shares her experiences having survived more than 100 depressive episodes. She shares her personal opinions on life with manic depression and tells how she sees it.

Hopefully you will find these personal bipolar disorder blogs a helpful supplement in your journey to wellness.

For additional information on living with bipolar disorder, here are some related links:

Bipolar Disorder: Keeping Stress Levels Low

Benefits of Joining a Bipolar Support Group

Coping with bipolar disorder can be tough. With mood swings pulling you in two directions it’s good to have a support system in place to help keep you stable. You may have family that offers support, but sometimes that’s not enough. It will benefit you to have access to a network of others with bipolar disorder, just like you. Consider joining a bipolar support group.

Here are three benefits of joining a bipolar support group.

1. Other bipolar people know what you’re going through. The top reason to join a bipolar support group is that other bipolar people can relate to what you’re feeling. In a secure group setting, many of them will share in their experiences with the support group. As you listen to their stories and experiences, you may find that you have some things in common with them.

2.You can share your experience. Sometimes loved ones mean well, but they don’t know exactly how you feel. Others with bipolar disorder do know. As you share your experiences with manic depression, look to receive some feedback and suggestions. This will help you learn more about yourself and better ways to deal with your bipolar disorder. Talking through your issues is also cathartic for your soul and mental health.

3. Support groups helps you socialize. If your bipolar disorder has left you somewhat withdrawn, it may be hard for you to form close relationships with people.

A bipolar support group is a great setting to meet new friends. The comfort level that you’ll have with your group members will help free you from some of the isolation you may be feeling. You’ll feel a boost of confidence as you come to terms with your illness. Use that confidence to branch out in other social settings.

Now that you’ve learned the benefits of joining a bipolar support group, it’s time to seek out a support group. Watch for an upcoming that will provide some suggestions for finding the right bipolar support group for you.

Over the years there have been hundreds of famous people and celebrities with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can effects about 2.6 percent of the adult population and is thought to be genetically linked. This means bipolar disorder can effect anyone. Even celebrities and other famous people you may know of battle bipolar disorder everyday.

Here is a list of famous people and celebrities with bipolar disorder. The list includes actresses, actors, writers, singers and business people. Some of these bipolar celebs you’ll recognize while others you may not.

Buzz Aldrin
Alvin Alley

Ned Beatty
Clifford Beers
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Maurice Bernard
John Berryman
Jeremy Brett
Alohe Jean Burke
Tim Burton

Robert Campeau
Jim Carey
Lisa Nicole Carson
C.E. Chaffin
Rosemary Clooney
Hart Crane
Lindsay Crosby
Garnet Coleman
Francis Ford Coppola

Jean-Claude Van Damme
Ray Davies
Lenny Dee
Gaetano Donizetti
Eric Douglas
Robert Downey Jr.
Patty Duke

Larry Flynt
Carrie Fisher
Connie Francis

Peter Gabriel
Kit Gingrich
Vincent Van Gogh
Phil Graham
Shecky Greene
Peter Gregg

Linda Hamilton
George Fredrick Handel
Moss Hart
Mariette Hartley
Jimi Hendrix
Kristen Hersh
Phyllis Hyman

Jack Irons

Randall Jarrell
Daniel Johnston

Jane Kenyon
Margot Kidder
Otto Klemperer

Vivien Leigh
Oscar Levant
Jennifer Lewis
Bill Lichtenstein
Joshua Logan
Robert Lowell

Gustav Mahier
Kevin McDonald
Kristy McNichols
Burgess Meredith
Spike Milligan
John Mulheren
Spike Mulligan

Phil Ochs
John Ogden

Nicola Pagett
Susan Panico
Jaco Pastorius
Pierre Peladeau
Murray Pezim
Sylvia Plath
Heinz C. Prechter
Charley Pride

Mac Rebennack (Dr. John)
Jeannie C. Riley
Alys Robi
Axl Rose

Francesco Scavullo
Robert Schumann
Delmore Schwartz
Del Shannon
DMX Earl Simmons
Don Simpson
Phil Spector
Ben Stiller
Sting
David Strickland
Sting, Gordon Sumner

Lili Taylor
Nick Traina
Ted Turner

Tracy Ullman

Sol Wachtier
Tom Waits
Norman Wexler
Robin Williams
Brian Wilson
Jonathon Winters

Townes Van Zandt

As you can see there are hundreds of bipolar celebs. Some may still be undiagnosed or have not yet revealed their bipolar disorder. This list will be updated periodically.

Lots of people with bipolar disorder have wondered at one point or another- Can bipolar disorder be cured? Will I have bipolar disorder forever? Since the depression and mania episodes in this disease can wreck havoc on a person’s life, they look for a bipolar cure.

While there are a variety of ways to treat and manage manic depression, to date there is no known cure for bipolar disorder. Researchers are working everyday to solving the manic depression puzzle.

Some people have very few mania and depression episodes without treatments, while others have symptoms throughout their lifetime. To be completely free from bipolar symptoms after diagnosis is rare. There are some people that go for extended periods of time feeling well and being symptom-free, but there is always a chance for another mania or depression episode to reoccur. This is why it is wise to maintain treatments despite feeling well. It is better to be cautious. Your health deserves it.

There are some people that claim to be cured or healed from bipolar disorder, but they can not know for sure as they could have an episode at any time in the future. It is best to think that these individuals have learned to manage their disorder in a way that allows them to be symptom-free. You should strive to be symptom-free instead of searching for a miracle bipolar cure. Perhaps one day there will be a break-through cure for bipolar disorder.

Since there is no cure yet for manic depression, it is best to maintain a treatment plan your therapist suggests. This will include medication, counseling and a self-management plan you find works for you.

If you’re looking to live a full life despite your manic depression diagnosis, I would suggest reading The Bipolar Advantage by Tom Wootton. It promises that you’ll look at your life differently.

One way to lessen bipolar manic and depression episodes is to avoid stress. Of course, stressful situations are a part of life, but you can do a number of things to keep it at a minimum. Here are some tips you can use to manage bipolar disorder and stress.

Avoid high-stress situations.If there are situations that you know will bring you stress, such as planning a holiday party or a 12-hour day full of activities, it would be best to avoid doing so. Taking extra precaution to keep your stress levels low should be the number one priority.

Balance your work and personal life. You may have periods of high energy where you want to work a lot and other times where you just want to take it easy. Find a balance and stick with it so it’ll be easier to stabilize you moods. Having a schedule will keep your mind focused. It is also ok to say “no” when you feel as though you’re becoming overworked.

Incorporate relaxation techniques. Even before you start to feel tension, there are a number of things you can do to keep yourself calm and relaxed. The last thing you’d want to do is trigger a bipolar episode. These relaxation techniques include yoga, meditation and deep breathing.

Yoga: One way to center yourself when dealing with bipolar disorder is to practice yoga on a regular basis. Yoga not only has physical benefits, but mental benefits as well. You’ll feel much more in control as you lower your risk for anxiety, stress and depression.

Meditation: You may also find that you benefit from meditation as part of your bipolar disorder treatment. You can think of anything when you’re meditating. One thing you don’t want to think about are your potential stressors. Think of peaceful nature scenes or pray as you meditate. Think of yourself living a healthy, stress-free life and conquering your bipolar disorder.

Deep breathing: Take some quiet time to do some deep breathing. Breath in through the mouth and out through the nose in a steady pace. You’ll feel the stress melt away.

Anxiety and panic attacks can be a symptom of bipolar disorder. There is medical evidence that shows that bipolar disorder and panic disorder can coexist. Some research deems that the two are genetically related. It is even more common for a family with multiple bipolar disorder sufferers to have coexisting symptoms of panic and anxiety disorder.

So, what are panic attacks? Panic attacks are a feeling of terror that can happen at any moment. During the panic attack, the person may feel as though they’re going to have a heart attack or even die.

Here are some signs and symptoms that you may suffer from panic or anxiety attacks.

1. Racing palpitating heartbeat

2. Sense of terror

3. Feeling weak, dizzy, lightheadedness

4. Chest pains

5. Having difficulty breathing

6. Numb or tingly feelings in hands and fingers

7. Having chills or hot flashes

8. Feeling loss of control

One key factor to panic disorder is that attacks happen without warning and the panic attack sufferer has no way to stop it. The fear induced by these attacks is much greater than the situation and is often unrelated. The attacks last for several minutes, but can reoccur for hours.

Panic attacks are frightening, but not dangerous. The attacks are scary because the sufferer feels out of control and sometimes as though they’re going to die. The effects of panic disorder can worsen because they can lead to other things such as drug and alcohol abuse, medical complications, phobias and suicide. Panic attacks can impact people in varying ways, with some feeling a slight disturbance on their life while others want to isolate themselves and stay sheltered from the rest of the world.

If you have bipolar disorder and feel you have panic disorder symptoms as well, talk with your mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and the best way to treat the issue.
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Anxiety and panic attacks can be a symptom of bipolar disorder. There is medical evidence that shows that bipolar disorder and panic disorder can coexist. Some research deems that the two are genetically related. It is even more common for a family with multiple bipolar disorder sufferers to have coexisting symptoms of panic and anxiety disorder.

So, what are panic attacks? Panic attacks are a feeling of terror that can happen at any moment. During the panic attack, the person may feel as though they’re going to have a heart attack or even die.

Here are some signs and symptoms that you may suffer from panic or anxiety attacks.

1. Racing palpitating heartbeat

2. Sense of terror

3. Feeling weak, dizzy, lightheadedness

4. Chest pains

5. Having difficulty breathing

6. Numb or tingly feelings in hands and fingers

7. Having chills or hot flashes

8. Feeling loss of control

One key factor to panic disorder is that attacks happen without warning and the panic attack sufferer has no way to stop it. The fear induced by these attacks is much greater than the situation and is often unrelated. The attacks last for several minutes, but can reoccur for hours.

Panic attacks are frightening, but not dangerous. The attacks are scary because the sufferer feels out of control and sometimes as though they’re going to die. The effects of panic disorder can worsen because they can lead to other things such as drug and alcohol abuse, medical complications, phobias and suicide. Panic attacks can impact people in varying ways, with some feeling a slight disturbance on their life while others want to isolate themselves and stay sheltered from the rest of the world.

If you have bipolar disorder and feel you have panic disorder symptoms as well, talk with your mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and the best way to treat the issue.
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If you have been diagnosed as manic depressive, your doctor will also share with you that you will have either one of two bipolar disorder types. It may not be clear right away though as you may need more observation of your symptoms. The two categories are Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. There is also a third related category, cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia.

Here’s some information about each type of manic depression.

Type 1: When a person has bipolar 1 disorder, he or she has at least one manic episode in his or her life. During the manic episode, the person experiences an elevated mood. The person could also experience mixed symptoms which includes having both a mania and depression episode every day for at least one week. Bipolar 1 is the more serious of the two types of manic depression. It results in a major change in a person’s usual behavior.

Type 2: When a person has bipolar 2 disorder, he or she experiences one or more depressive episodes along with one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes are similar to manic episodes but are less severe. For some, hypomania isn’t as disruptive because the person doesn’t experience full-blown mania or mixed symptoms. Bipolar 2 is the less serious of the two types of manic depression.

-Some may also receive a rapid-cycling bipolar disorder diagnosis. Rapid-cycling is when a person experiences four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania or mixed episodes within one year.

Cyclothymic disorder, Cyclothymia

Cyclothymic disorder is known as a mild form of bipolar disorder. Those with cyclothymic disorder experience chronic fluctuations in mood: periods of hypomania and depression over a course of at least two years. These moods come in shorter, less severe instances and are not severe enough to be considered bipolar 1 or 2. These mood swings can impair social interactions and could develop into a worsened form of manic depression.

If you’re visiting this site, perhaps you’re wondering Do I have bipolar disorder? Or maybe you’re wondering if your loved one is bipolar. If so, it’s time to take a look at the bipolar disorder symptoms to see if they fit.

Keep in mind that only a trained licensed therapist can assess whether or not a person has bipolar disorder (manic depression) for sure. However, there are signs that either you or a loved one might notice well before a diagnosis is made.

Bipolar Disorder symptoms can vary from person to person when it comes to the pattern, frequency and severity of symptoms. While some people experience more depression or mania, others have an equal cycle between the two extremes.

Some people only have a few major mood changes during their lifetime, while others have them more frequently. If you think that you or your loved one is bipolar, check out some common bipolar disorder symptoms used to diagnose the illness.

Common Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Bipolar depression symptoms include:

- Feeling sad, down

- Feeling hopeless, worthless

- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. This can include sex.

- Feeling restless, having a hard time concentrating - Thinking about death or suicide

- Sleeping too much or too little

- Social withdrawal

- A lose in appetite or changes in weight

- Feeling tired

- Unexplained physical aches and pains

Bipolar mania symptoms include:

- Racing thoughts

- High amounts of energy

- Irritability - Having grandiose thoughts, believing you can do things beyond your ability, high self confidence

- Easily distracted - Sleeping very little, but feeling energetic

- Acting impulsively, doing risky behaviors without thinking of consequences - In severe cases one can have delusions and hallucinations

- Extremely talkative, rapid speech If you suspect you are having either a depression or mania symptoms of bipolar disorder, make an appointment with a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Life is full of ups and downs; happiness and sadness. So it’s not uncommon for people to feel a range of emotions. For those with bipolar disorder, however, feelings of happiness, sadness and anger can be extreme.

Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depression and bipolar affective disorder, is a mood disorder that causes a person to feel extreme highs and lows that are too hard to cope with at times. Excessive mood swings can interfere with everyday life and even be dangerous to a person with this illness.

More than 5.7 million American adults have bipolar disorder according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That’s about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older. You may have an acquaintance with manic depression. If that person learns to manage the illness well, you may never suspect it. People with bipolar disorder look just like everyone else.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, it can be treated. People with manic depression can live long fulfilling lives, if they take care of themselves. If they do not manage their illness, it could have dire consequences, including suicide.

If you suspect you are manic depressive, the first step is to get a diagnosis from a qualified health care professional. It is not always easy to get a diagnosis so do not be discouraged if it takes awhile to reach a conclusion.