Is Bipolar is depressiOn

I don’t know if she has a problem or not, but I am very suspiciou…?

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Bipolar-Disorder-2192/indexExp_71346.htm

First, I must clarify I can’t diagnose your wife without knowing her personally. It sounds like she …

How depression and bipolar disorder are different

http://www.helium.com/tm/457972/depression-follows-manic-phase

Depression that follows the manic phase of Bipolar illnesses is different from regular depression in severity and type. Probably. Yet, since a Bipolar illness can be seen as an exaggerated high and low balancing act, there seems little diff…

Is it depression or bipolar depression?

http://www.blogcatalog.com/topic/bipolar+quiz/

The following is an excerpt from an article I wrote for healthyplace.com on the difference between bipolar depression and uni polar depression.  I wonder how well you can do! A lot of it was new to me as I wrote the article! A Quiz:  Name t…

Related Questions Answered on Y!Answers

Whats the difference between bipolar 1/2 and Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features?

Q: I understand bipolar 1 and 2, but other than psychosis is there anything else that defines the diagnoses “Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features” from the diagnoses bipolar 1 or bipolar 2?yeah, im diagnosed bipolar 1 with psychotic features. but also read up on this diagnoses of ssevere bipolar depression with psychotic features

A: http://www.cmellc.com/topics/bdfaq.htmlOk.. i did that wrong… http://www.manic-depression.net/bipolarI/ go here after you read the first part of bipolar 1, then keep clicking next article…Bipolar I Disorder is not a complete diagnosis in and of itself. When someone is diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, the doctor uses what are called specifiers to give more information about the patient’s current condition. Specifiers describe the mood episode and severity of the illness that the patient is experiencing.If the person most recently experienced a hypomanic episode, often no further specifiers are given. Hypomania is by definition, a mild manic episode with no psychotic features. Therefore, it would be redundant to specify the severity of the symptoms and the presence of psychotic features. This diagnosis can be further specified to give describe if the person is experiencing rapid cycling, if there is a seasonal pattern to their condition, or if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes.The first specification tells what kind of episode is the person’s most recent episode. The diagnoses with episode specifiers used to describe the person’s most recent mood episode are: * Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode * Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Hypomanic * Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic * Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Mixed * Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed * Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode UnspecifiedIf the diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” that means that the person has experienced a manic episode, and they have never had any other manic or depressive episodes. For “Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Unspecified,” the person meets the criteria for the symptoms of either a manic, mixed, hypomanic, or depressed episode with the exception of the duration of the symptoms.If the person’s diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” the doctor may further specify the patient’s condition according to whether or not the symptoms meet the criteria for a mixed episode. The doctor may specify if the manic episode began postpartum, meaning after the patient gave birth. The specifiers can also describe the severity of the symptoms and whether or not there are psychotic or catatonic features. The doctor can also use a diagnosis specifier to indicate if the patient is in partial remission or full remission.With the other diagnoses, they are further specified by severity, presence of psychotic features, presence of catatonic features, whether the symptoms began postpartum, whether there is rapid cycling, if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes, or if there is a seasonal pattern. The diagnosis may also specify if the most recent episode meets the criteria for a mixed episode. These diagnoses can also be specified as being in partial remission or full remission.Taking a look at all the possible specifiers can give you an idea of how varied each patient’s experience with Bipolar I Disorder can be. You need only compare two possible diagnoses to get an impression of how vast the continuum of bipolar disorder can be. Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed, Severe with Psychotic Features looks very different from Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode In Full Remission. Patients with those diagnoses both suffer from the same medical condition of bipolar disorder, but according to the specifiers, their symptoms and experiences with the disorder are extremely different. Without specifiers, the diagnosis of “Bipolar I Disorder” fails to convey the exact nature of the patient’s condition. Bipolar II Disorder, the more common but by no means less severe type of the disorder is “characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by one hypomanic episode.” This stipulation is used mainly to differentiate it from unipolar depression.The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that Bipolar II has hypomanic but not manic episodes. Also, while those with Bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, Bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features.The indicators which would lead to a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder are: * One or more Major Depressive Episodes * At least one Hypomanic Episode * There has never been a Manic or Mixed Episode * Another disorder is not responsible for symptoms * Symptoms cause distress or impair functioningSymptoms and characteristics of depression include: * Decreased energy * Weight loss or gain * Despair * Irritability * Uncontrollable cryingSymptoms and characteristics of hypomania include: * Grandiosity * Decreased need for sleep * Pressured speech * Racing thoughts * Distractibility * Tendency to engage in behavior that could have serious consequences, such as spend

Is there any way to fight against the lows of bipolar depression?

Q: I suffer from bipolar depression and very fast mood swings. When I’m out with friends or with family and I suddenly feel really depressed, is there any way to fight it or do I just have to ride it out? I wish I could fight it because I don’t want to ruin everyone else’s evening.

A: I write poetry or listen to music that talks about the state that I am in.. it also helps to read metaphysical books or self help books that talk about people with disorders such as yours.. many spiritual people believe that people with mental disorders are high level souls who want to speed up the learning process in life… so look at your manic-depression as a way of your soul developing quickly.. keep your head up!

How do I help a friend who has bipolar depression?

Q: A friend of mine has been going through some hard times and was recently diagnosed with bipolar depression. This means that some days he is active and able to do lots of things, but other days he doesn’t have the will to get out of bed, much less do anything productive.Anyway, he recently moved back to the area and is now living kind of close to me (30 mins. driving). He doesn’t have many other friends in the area, and his illness keeps him from getting out very much and meeting new people. So, in many ways I feel as though I am his only source of friendship now. Also, it’s really difficult to stay in touch with him. When he is depressed, he won’t answer e-mails or telephone calls, much less return messages.In some ways I feel like I can’t do much because if I can’t talk to him and hang out, how can I continue to be friends with him? But I also feel that, as a friend, I should stick with him through the hard times and do my best to help.What can I do to help my friend?

A: Biopolar disorder is serious business, and can lead to suicide. My uncle had it. My advice is to make sure that your friend is getting the medical help he needs, and that he takes his perscription drugs, if you can. They often don’t like to take the medicine because they like the highs or durring the highs they think they are fine so they don’t take it. Biopolar is not one that is easy to fight on your own. Just keep doing what you are doing. I would imagine that continued issolation would not be good for your friend. Invite him to things that you go to: parties, holiday events, heck!, take him grocery shopping with you. He’s got to get his groceries sometime. 😉 But, the thirty minute drive might make it difficult. An occasional party might be doable though. If nothing else, he will know that you care about him if you keep trying to communicate with him. You may catch him on one of his up days.