Definition of Bi-polar
The textbook definition of bipolar disorder describes the disease as a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation.
This is misleading because bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness. Defining bipolar is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation. An easier way to define bipolar and grasp what it is, is to say it is a disease that affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behavior. People with bipolar disorder experience moods that swing from high to low and back again in varying degrees of severity. The two poles of bipolar disorder are mania and depression.
What is mania? The highs of bipolar disorder are referred to as mania. During periods of mania you might feel unusually great. Your energy level rises and you feel like you can do anything. You feel over confident. Nothing is problematic. You may feel like you have special abilities. You will feel like you are on top of the world. You will be distracted. You may have thoughts coming so fast. Your speech speeds up and people can’t keep up with your garbled speech. You may take unwise risks and go to extremes, such as gambling, going on a shopping spree or having sex with strangers. Your ideas will be grandiose. Mania affects thinking, judgment and social behavior and cause serious problems and embarrassment.
The flip side of bipolar disorder is the lows which are referred to as depression. Most depressive episodes come after a period of intense mania and euphoria. During a depressive episode your body and mind basically crash. The usual symptoms of depression appear but with a more pronounced vengeance. The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness settle in and take hold. This is a dangerous period as you are very low and dwell on worthlessness and killing yourself. Your body is physically wasted. You sleep too much, can’t concentrate and hurt both physically and mentally.
From the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other, bipolar disorder is more than just a fleeting good or bad mood. The cycles of bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks or even months. During mania, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, the same person might be too tired to get out of bed and is full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt. The peaks and valleys of bipolar disorder can wreak havoc on your life. Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s important to learn the definition of bipolar disorder. Recognizing the problem is the first step to getting it under control.
What is mania? The highs of bipolar disorder are referred to as mania. During periods of mania you might feel unusually great. Your energy level rises and you feel like you can do anything. You feel over confident. Nothing is problematic. You may feel like you have special abilities. You will feel like you are on top of the world. You will be distracted. You may have thoughts coming so fast. Your speech speeds up and people can’t keep up with your garbled speech. You may take unwise risks and go to extremes, such as gambling, going on a shopping spree or having sex with strangers. Your ideas will be grandiose. Mania affects thinking, judgment and social behavior and cause serious problems and embarrassment.
The flip side of bipolar disorder is the lows which are referred to as depression. Most depressive episodes come after a period of intense mania and euphoria. During a depressive episode your body and mind basically crash. The usual symptoms of depression appear but with a more pronounced vengeance. The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness settle in and take hold. This is a dangerous period as you are very low and dwell on worthlessness and killing yourself. Your body is physically wasted. You sleep too much, can’t concentrate and hurt both physically and mentally.
From the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other, bipolar disorder is more than just a fleeting good or bad mood. The cycles of bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks or even months. During mania, a person might impulsively quit a job, charge up huge amounts on credit cards or feel rested after sleeping two hours. During a depressive episode, the same person might be too tired to get out of bed and is full of self-loathing and hopelessness over being unemployed and in debt. The peaks and valleys of bipolar disorder can wreak havoc on your life. Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s important to learn the definition of bipolar disorder. Recognizing the problem is the first step to getting it under control.
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Bi-Polar and ADHD • Bi-Polar Disorder Therapy
Bi-Polar Help • Bi-Polar Treatment • Treatment Bipolar Disorder
Bi-Polar and ADHD • Bi-Polar Disorder Therapy
Bi-Polar Help • Bi-Polar Treatment • Treatment Bipolar Disorder
