A feature of bipolar disorder that is often ignored or misunderstood

Bipolar disorder or bipolar disorder often misinterpreted as a form of a person's character defects. This is because of traits bipolar disorder usually characterized by excessive emotional turmoil. In fact, bipolar is a mental disorder caused by biological factors that are beyond the sufferer's control, such as genetics (heredity) and abnormal brain function.

Ironically again, the signs of bipolar disorder are often ignored or only considered as signs of stress. In fact, bipolar is not as simple as stress or depression. If not treated properly, symptoms can worsen and lead to dangerous complications.

So that you are no longer mistaken, you need to recognize the unique characteristics of people with bipolar disorder. Even by knowing this characteristic of a bipolar person, you can determine when a relative, partner, or yourself needs to get medical treatment.

Characteristic features bipolar disorder typical

This disorder is called bipolar (which means two poles) because the sufferer shows two poles of very different emotions or moods. The first is mania, which is a phase or episode of extreme and explosive happiness. While the second pole is depression, where the sufferer will feel so sad, sad, not excited, and very lethargic.

In people with bipolar disorder, mood swings from mania to depression and vice versa are the most characteristic features. However, what distinguishes bipolar disorder from mood swings in general is their intensity. People with bipolar disorder may exhibit phases of mania and depression so severe that they can lose control of their own emotions.

In each of these phases, both mania and depression, symptoms, severity, and duration of symptoms can vary. A person may experience symptoms for several hours a day, a full day, or longer, such as several days or weeks. Change mood it may also appear several times a year.

Ten traits bipolar disorder the manic phase

In the manic phase, bipolar sufferers usually exhibit extreme and uncontrollable behavior. In this explosive phase of happiness, it is also known as hypomania.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, mania and hypomania are two different types of episodes, but have the same symptoms. Hypomania generally shows features bipolar disorder which is lighter than mania. Meanwhile, in mania, the symptoms can get worse so that the sufferer cannot carry out daily activities, such as school and work, and has to be hospitalized.

For more details, here are the symptoms or characteristics of the sufferer bipolar diosder which commonly appear in the phases of mania and hypomania:

• Feeling excitement and excessive self-confidence (euphoria).
• Feeling so energized and excited that you can't stay still (have to move on or walk up and down).
• Talk very quickly about lots of different, unusual topics.
• Don't feel like sleeping or don't feel like you need a lot of sleep.
• Feeling like his mind was racing or out of control.
• Irritability or very sensitive feelings.
• Easy to get sidetracked.
• Do many activities at once.
• Do not want to eat or decreased appetite.
• Making bad decisions or acting reckless, such as shopping spree, having sex recklessly, driving recklessly, or drinking.

Especially in the manic phase, people with bipolar disorder can experience psychosis, which is not being able to distinguish what is real and what is only in their mind. In this condition, delusions and hallucinations are characteristic bipolar disorder the most typical.

Ten traits bipolar disorder depressive phase

The depressive phase or episode includes symptoms severe enough to make it difficult for the sufferer to carry out daily activities. In more severe cases, this depressive phase is often so debilitating that the sufferer may not be able to get out of bed.

In general, people with bipolar disorder at this stage will show unnatural sadness or hopelessness. Following are the characteristics of bipolar in a depressive episode:

• A depressed mood, such as feelings of sadness, worry, emptiness, or hopelessness.
• Loss of interest or interest in all or nearly all activities, including those that were previously preferred.
• Loss of energy and energy drastically.
• Feeling worthless, excessive guilt, or insecurity.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Talk very slowly or forget a lot.
• Drastic changes in diet, whether your appetite is lost or increased.
• Withdrawing from the environment and those closest to you.
• Not able to do simple things.
• Obsession with death, suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide.

As with the manic phase, a severe depressive phase may also produce symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. In this condition, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are often difficult to distinguish. Bipolar patients with psychotic characteristics are often misdiagnosed as schizophrenia.

The pattern of changes in phases of depression and mania

Someone who owns bipolar disorder may be experiencing a manic phase more frequently than depression, or vice versa. This depends on the type of bipolar disorder you have.

Not only that, the pattern of change from manic to depression, and vice versa, can also vary. The cycles or patterns of change between these phases can be very rapid. However, sometimes, the changes occur slowly, so people with bipolar disorder can still feel a normal mood between the two phases.

Sometimes too, a person experiences phases of mania and depression at the same time. Such episodes are called mixed features. The National Institue of Mental Health says someone experiencing this mixed episode may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, but at the same time feel excited.

The characteristics of bipolar disorder that need to be watched out for

Bipolar disorder is a very extreme condition. A person with this disorder may not realize that he is in a manic or depressive phase.

After the symptom phase or episode is over, you may become aware of or even be surprised at the unusual behavior that was done. Sometimes, people with bipolar disorder often do not realize that changes in their unstable mood can interfere with the lives of themselves and their loved ones.

Therefore, if you or a friend and your partner experience one or more of the above symptoms of depression or mania, you should immediately consult a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. With professional help, you and your relatives can get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Not only that, you also need to be aware of certain symptoms that might endanger you or your friends and partner's condition. If you, a friend, or partner have thoughts or behaviors that hurt yourself and others, including suicidal thoughts, you should immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital.

You can also simply confide in a trusted friend or relative, or be a good listener for a friend who has bipolar disorder.