Depression
Depression is one of the emotional extremes associated with bipolar disorder (manic depression). Found here are resources and information regarding the warnings and symptoms of depressive episode as well as personal experiences of those who have been through these episodes.
Is Your Mood WHIPLASHED?
The symptoms of bipolar depression are very difficult to distinguish from those of major depression often leading to a delayed or misdiagnosis. Those who are diagnosing and treating these disorders are only able to definitely establish a diagnosis of bipolar disorder when a patient is clearly in a manic episode.
The symptoms of bipolar depression are very difficult to distinguish from those of major depression often leading to a delayed or misdiagnosis. Those who are diagnosing and treating these disorders are only able to definitely establish a diagnosis of bipolar disorder when a patient is clearly in a manic episode.
Red Flags II - Warning Signs of Depressive Episodes
These red flags are the early warning signs of depression, which is one phase or mood of bipolar disorder or manic depression.
These red flags are the early warning signs of depression, which is one phase or mood of bipolar disorder or manic depression.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Changes in Activity Levels
A depressive episode may be mild or severe, but it is important to recognize the signals as early as possible. In this first of six parts we look at a group of symptoms under the heading of activity or energy level changes.
A depressive episode may be mild or severe, but it is important to recognize the signals as early as possible. In this first of six parts we look at a group of symptoms under the heading of activity or energy level changes.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Physical Changes
Anyone who thinks depression is all in one's head has never been depressed - or never realized it. Depression affects more than the mind - it has significant physical symptoms as well. In this article we discuss unexplained aches and pains, weight gain or loss, decreased and increased appetite, and psychomotor agitation and retardation.
Anyone who thinks depression is all in one's head has never been depressed - or never realized it. Depression affects more than the mind - it has significant physical symptoms as well. In this article we discuss unexplained aches and pains, weight gain or loss, decreased and increased appetite, and psychomotor agitation and retardation.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Emotional Pain
The third group of depression symptoms comes under the heading of Emotional Pain and includes prolonged sadness, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, despair or helplessness, and loss of self-esteem. Any one or more of these symptoms could be a common reaction to a traumatic event such as job loss or the death of a loved one, but if they continue too long or are too severe, help should be sought.
The third group of depression symptoms comes under the heading of Emotional Pain and includes prolonged sadness, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, despair or helplessness, and loss of self-esteem. Any one or more of these symptoms could be a common reaction to a traumatic event such as job loss or the death of a loved one, but if they continue too long or are too severe, help should be sought.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Difficult Moods
Like the other symptoms of bipolar depression, the difficult moods listed here - irritability, anger, worry/anxiety, pessimism, indifference, and a tendency to be self-critical - may also be present in major depressive disorder. The difference, of course, is that in bipolar disorder there are also episodes of mania or hypomania.
Like the other symptoms of bipolar depression, the difficult moods listed here - irritability, anger, worry/anxiety, pessimism, indifference, and a tendency to be self-critical - may also be present in major depressive disorder. The difference, of course, is that in bipolar disorder there are also episodes of mania or hypomania.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Changes in Thought Patterns
Although these symptoms are grouped as Changes in Thought Patterns, each of them can have a profound effect on behavior as well. In fact these symptoms - difficulty concentrating, indecision, memory problems and disorganization - may be the among the ones first noticed by co-workers and supervisors because of the way they affect on-the-job performance.
Although these symptoms are grouped as Changes in Thought Patterns, each of them can have a profound effect on behavior as well. In fact these symptoms - difficulty concentrating, indecision, memory problems and disorganization - may be the among the ones first noticed by co-workers and supervisors because of the way they affect on-the-job performance.
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression - Preoccupation with Death
Concluding a 6-part series on the symptoms of bipolar depression, this article focuses on thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, and feeling dead or detached. While these may sound like different terms for the same thing, they actually are distinct forms of preoccupation with death.
Concluding a 6-part series on the symptoms of bipolar depression, this article focuses on thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, and feeling dead or detached. While these may sound like different terms for the same thing, they actually are distinct forms of preoccupation with death.
How to Recognize a Depressive Episode
Steps for identifying when a person is suffering from either unipolar or bipolar depression.
Steps for identifying when a person is suffering from either unipolar or bipolar depression.
Bipolar Journal: Depression
Marcia Purse shares her experience with depression. She looks at specific symptoms and behaviors she recognizes in herself that indicate she is suffering from depression.
Marcia Purse shares her experience with depression. She looks at specific symptoms and behaviors she recognizes in herself that indicate she is suffering from depression.
Bipolar Journal: Down, Down, Down
From the “I’m Bipolar” series, the authors shares that the latest medication changes were disastrous emotionally, leading to an examination of one of the problems all-too-common to mental health patients: weight gain.
From the “I’m Bipolar” series, the authors shares that the latest medication changes were disastrous emotionally, leading to an examination of one of the problems all-too-common to mental health patients: weight gain.
How to Get Through December Holidays When Depressed
The December holidays - Hanukah, Christmas and New Year's - can be brutal for people in depression. Here are some tips to help you cope with family, gifts, parties and yourself.
The December holidays - Hanukah, Christmas and New Year's - can be brutal for people in depression. Here are some tips to help you cope with family, gifts, parties and yourself.
Round and Round with Depression
Two more med changes. Frustration mounts, and real life is about to intrude on the prescribing process. From the “I’m Bipolar” series.
Two more med changes. Frustration mounts, and real life is about to intrude on the prescribing process. From the “I’m Bipolar” series.
What Are Catatonic Features?
A brief but comprehensive definition of catatonia and catatonic features, which may be present in bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia.
A brief but comprehensive definition of catatonia and catatonic features, which may be present in bipolar depression, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia.
What Is Melancholia?
Here is a brief but comprehensive definition of Melancholia and its presenting features - which may be present in both major depression and bipolar disorder.
Here is a brief but comprehensive definition of Melancholia and its presenting features - which may be present in both major depression and bipolar disorder.
Wrestling with Depression: Annie’s Perspective
Depression is gut wrenching. It's heart breaking. Depression is the cancer in my soul. I can actually feel the hole in my soul when sick. You can feel it take over. It has it's own taste and smell. I'm tired of the fight. The darkness has won. Like it always wins. And yet, I'll never give up my hope.
Depression is gut wrenching. It's heart breaking. Depression is the cancer in my soul. I can actually feel the hole in my soul when sick. You can feel it take over. It has it's own taste and smell. I'm tired of the fight. The darkness has won. Like it always wins. And yet, I'll never give up my hope.
Inherited Depression Linked To Shortage Of Cells
People who suffer from depression have fewer cells in a certain part of the brain, a new study finds. This loss occurs only when the disorder runs in the family, suggesting that inherited depression may differ from depression that comes out of the blue.
People who suffer from depression have fewer cells in a certain part of the brain, a new study finds. This loss occurs only when the disorder runs in the family, suggesting that inherited depression may differ from depression that comes out of the blue.