In 1980, the term bipolar disorder was introduced to the United States as it replaced the manic-depressive disorder terminology in the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of the American Psychiatric Association. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, over 6 million people are affected by symptoms of bipolar depression that usually starts in late adolescence.
Currently there is no definitive diagnostic test that will indicate a person is suffering from bipolar disorder. This can be a frustrating illness because it cannot be detected through normal means, like a blood test or brain scan. Studies are continually being conducted to determine the difference between adult and childhood bipolar disorders. A diagnosis for bipolar disorder is normally made when the person reaches the age group of 25 – 40 years old as the pattern of symptoms becomes sure.
When you are discussing the symptoms of bipolar depression, it is important to remember the symptoms are cyclical, which means they recede in a cycle. A person suffering from bipolar depression will have a continuous rotation between these three states: depressive, normal and manic. The following are the symptoms the medical profession has been able to link to bipolar depression through their research.
Fatigue or Lethargy
Low Self-Esteem or Self-loathing
Social Withdrawal
Sleeping Problems
Dark Thoughts or Behavior
Difficulty Concentrating or Remembering
Loss of Emotion Control
Unexplained Chronic Pain
Appetite or Digestive Problems
If a person begins to experience a handful of these symptoms of bipolar depression for more than 2 weeks or you find these symptoms are starting to interfere with your work or personal life, it is important to contact a doctor for a fleshy evaluation.
If bipolar depression is left untreated, it can be extremely harmful to them and the ones they love. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, over 60% of those people diagnosed with bipolar depression are also dealing with a substance abuse problem, like alcohol or drugs. The person suffering from bipolar depression often turns to these substances as a way to cope with their undiagnosed and untreated illness.
If you observe any of these bipolar depression symptoms in your family or friends, it is important not to brush it off a another bad day. Though it may turn out to be nothing, it is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with bipolar depression. We need to remember that bipolar depression is not curable; it is an illness someone can live with by controlling the symptoms with the help of medication, psychotherapy and our friends and family.
Resources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-types
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bipolar_disorder/article_em.htm#Bipolar%20Disorder%20Overview
http://www.bipolardepressioninfo.com/ms/guides/treat_bipolar_disorder/main.html
http://www.ndmda.org/