Those who suffer from depression warning signs and related disorders may know the warning signs symptoms of depression all too well. They also know that these disorders tend to manifest themselves as repeated episodes of the depressive condition with the typical patient having many distinct episodes during their lives.

While not identical in every person, depression warning signs that may be experienced can include any of these:

1. Difficulty sleeping or other disruptions of sleep patterns

2. Overwhelming feelings of anxiety and/or sorrow at inappropriate times

3. Loss of interest in pastimes formerly enjoyed

4. A sensation of hopelessness, lack of self esteem and feelings of guilt

5. Fatigue and overall lower energy levels

6. Loss of appetite or abnormally large appetite, leading to weight loss or gain

7. Suicidal thoughts and recurring thoughts about death

8. Irritability, restlessness and short temper

9. Memory lapses and an inability to concentrate

10. Difficulty in maintaining close or romantic relationships

Depression warning signs have increased in frequency in western industrialized societies, especially among those born after 1930. Some have concluded that pollution and its attendant harmful effects on the human body are to blame for some of the increase in depressive disorders and has ramped up the number of persons suffering from depression signs.

Experiencing one or more of the signs of depression and other mood disorders has to do with levels of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine along with changes in the neural pathways of the brain. Imbalances between the neurotransmitters appear to be a cause of depression in many cases where depression signs are manifested.

Depression warning signs can derail careers and relationships, cause school work to go downhill and lower quality of life. the feelings of despair, sadness and frustration can make it impossible to function normally and relate to others. In many cases, depression goes undiagnosed due to the stigma borne by mental illness or failure of medical professionals to correctly diagnose or treat the problem.

Those who suffer from this condition often choose to self-medicate rather than go through the side effects of prescription medications. These people may use alcohol, caffeine or street drugs in an effort to feel better, which never works in the long run. many of those who commit suicide happen to have symptoms of depression.

An additional problem faced by those suffering from depressive disorders is the stigma which is attached to the ailment. People who have depression signs are sometimes seen as crazy, unpredictable, even dangerous In short, they are often avoided because of their disorder which only adds to their feelings of isolation and despair.

The stigma associated with depression warning signs can be devastating to those afflicted with depression. Teachers, co-workers, neighbors and employers will tend to treat them differently because of the disorder. it can be difficult to hide in many situations, for instance, when trying to get a new job. while it is not legal to ask a prospective employee about medical conditions they may have, one does not necessarily want to withhold the truth from an interviewer.

At the same time, it might be a long shot to actually land that job if your interviewer is aware of your depression. This is a case whether or not your depressive disorder would affect the quality of your work. In the case of students, teachers may treat them differently and the student could suffer from low expectations on the part of teachers.

There is also a lot of misinformation about persons with mental illness of any sort, with many making the assumption that all such persons are potentially violent and feared as a possible danger. Again, this leads people to isolate the sufferer, making their life even even worse.

Health insurance plans offered by employers often will involve higher premiums from the employer if a new hire has health problems, including depression signs. the employers fear is that their premiums will go through the roof if they are to take on a new employee with any sort of preexisting medical issues. This is true those who suffer from depression signs and disorders hardly get a fair shake from insurance companies.

The feelings of worthlessness and isolation that are felt by those who suffer from a depressive disorder are made worse by the stigma attached to the condition among the general public. This leaves the patient feeling even worse, their sensation of inadequacy and guilt compounded by the way that society treats them.

Society as a whole must learn to treat those with depression and other mental illnesses like the human beings that they really are. They are simply human beings with an illness, no different than a physical illness, merely different symptoms.

Depression Warning Signs & Understanding Depression Symptoms

When we think of fibromyalgia syndrome, we think pain and fatigue, which are two of the most recognized symptoms. However, people suffering with it will tell you that the disease doesn't just stop there. there are dozens and dozens of seemingly unrelated symptoms including sleep disorders; irritable bowel syndrome; sensitivity to bright lights, changes in temperature, medication intolerance, food allergies, cognitive difficulties, anxiety, and perhaps most dangerous of all the symptoms. depression. Fibromyalgia depression left untreated has been known to lead a sufferer down a path of self-destruction, resulting in suicide in severe cases. A Depression Self-test can be used to determine the severity of symptoms.

Some researchers theorize that depression in fibromyalgia sufferers is the result of abnormalities in the sufferer's brain chemistry. others are studying the sympathetic nervous system. but whatever the cause, depression affects every aspect of a fibromyalgia sufferer's life seems to intensify the body's response to pain, as seen on MRI's and in clinical tests.

The Depression Self-test below, when shared with your physician, can also help to determine the level and type of treatment needed to provide relief of your depression symptoms. Medication with anti-depressants is the usual treatment prescribed by doctors treating depression. which may be helpful to patients who can tolerate the Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitors(SSRI's) and tricyclic drugs that are commonly prescribed. but drugs are not enough for many people, especially those with major or clinical depression which occurs in about 3 out of every 10 fibromyalgia patients. Understanding and supportive family and friends, as well as support groups, can be crucial for an individual dealing with depression, especially when the symptoms are severe.

Are You Suffering With Fibromyalgia? Take This Depression Self-Test

Not every fibromyalgia sufferer will experience the same symptoms of depression, but you may recognize some of the symptoms on the Depression Self-test. Be honest. Have you been experiencing any of these?

• A sense of worthlessness or despair
• Decreased energy level
• Change in weight, loss or gain
• Loss of interest / enjoyment of favorite activities
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or agitation
• Persistent sadness or anxious mood
• Uncontrollable tearfulness
• Suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide

If you answered yes to the question about your experiences on the Depression Self-test, and you are not currently under treatment by your physician. you need to meet with him or her and discuss how you've been feeling. Treatment options with SSRI's and tricyclic medications can have some undesirable side-effects and aren't for everyone. there is a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals which may work for you. ask you doctor about it. it's called 5-HTP(5-Hydroxytryptophan). (The FDA has an advisory out regarding anti-depressants and their side-effects. therefore, be sure to have your physician monitor you when beginning treatment or changing dosages.)

Now, you probably noticed that the list of symptoms on the Depression Self-test are broad in scope. You may not have all of them, but having fibromyalgia, you probably have at least one or two. Severe or clinical depression symptoms would also include symptoms that last for weeks at a time. Chronic depression (dysthymia) is an ongoing condition although the symptoms and feelings of the sufferer, may fluctuate. if you're unsure about your fibromyalgia depression symptoms, keep a written diary of symptoms from the Depression Self-test, and add anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or negative. Remember. there is also a link between your depression and the intensity of your pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms.

It is important that you openly discuss your condition and your notes from the Depression Self-test, with your doctor. However, as a fibromyalgia survivor myself, I can tell you that medications alone won't do the trick. Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease which means that your own immune system is attacking and damaging your body at the cellular level. You can fight back by rebuilding your body faster than your disease can tear it down. I have discovered a safe, natural nutrition program that can help you overcome fibromyalgia symptoms and the depression that comes with it. for more information on the natural treatment of fibromyalgia, contact me now by clicking on one of the links below.

http://www.overcomefibro.com/fibro-depression-self-test.html

Take This Depression Self-Test What Fibromyalgia Sufferers Need to Know

Those who suffer from depression warning signs and related disorders may know the warning signs symptoms of depression all too well. they also know that these disorders tend to manifest themselves as repeated episodes of the depressive condition with the typical patient having many distinct episodes during their lives.

While not identical in every person, depression warning signs that may be experienced can include any of these:

1. Difficulty sleeping or other disruptions of sleep patterns

2. Overwhelming feelings of anxiety and/or sorrow at inappropriate times

3. Loss of interest in pastimes formerly enjoyed

4. A sensation of hopelessness, lack of self esteem and feelings of guilt

5. Fatigue and overall lower energy levels

6. Loss of appetite or abnormally large appetite, leading to weight loss or gain

7. Suicidal thoughts and recurring thoughts about death

8. Irritability, restlessness and short temper

9. Memory lapses and an inability to concentrate

10. Difficulty in maintaining close or romantic relationships

Depression warning signs have increased in frequency in western industrialized societies, especially among those born after 1930. some have concluded that pollution and its attendant harmful effects on the human body are to blame for some of the increase in depressive disorders and has ramped up the number of persons suffering from depression signs.

Experiencing one or more of the signs of depression and other mood disorders has to do with levels of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine along with changes in the neural pathways of the brain. Imbalances between the neurotransmitters appear to be a cause of depression in many cases where depression signs are manifested.

Depression warning signs can derail careers and relationships, cause school work to go downhill and lower quality of life. The feelings of despair, sadness and frustration can make it impossible to function normally and relate to others. In many cases, depression goes undiagnosed due to the stigma borne by mental illness or failure of medical professionals to correctly diagnose or treat the problem.

Those who suffer from this condition often choose to self-medicate rather than go through the side effects of prescription medications. These people may use alcohol, caffeine or street drugs in an effort to feel better, which never works in the long run. many of those who commit suicide happen to have symptoms of depression.

An additional problem faced by those suffering from depressive disorders is the stigma which is attached to the ailment. People who have depression signs are sometimes seen as crazy, unpredictable, even dangerous In short, they are often avoided because of their disorder which only adds to their feelings of isolation and despair.

The stigma associated with depression warning signs can be devastating to those afflicted with depression. Teachers, co-workers, neighbors and employers will tend to treat them differently because of the disorder. it can be difficult to hide in many situations, for instance, when trying to get a new job. while it is not legal to ask a prospective employee about medical conditions they may have, one does not necessarily want to withhold the truth from an interviewer.

At the same time, it might be a long shot to actually land that job if your interviewer is aware of your depression. This is a case whether or not your depressive disorder would affect the quality of your work. In the case of students, teachers may treat them differently and the student could suffer from low expectations on the part of teachers.

There is also a lot of misinformation about persons with mental illness of any sort, with many making the assumption that all such persons are potentially violent and feared as a possible danger. Again, this leads people to isolate the sufferer, making their life even even worse.

Health insurance plans offered by employers often will involve higher premiums from the employer if a new hire has health problems, including depression signs. The employers fear is that their premiums will go through the roof if they are to take on a new employee with any sort of preexisting medical issues. This is true those who suffer from depression signs and disorders hardly get a fair shake from insurance companies.

The feelings of worthlessness and isolation that are felt by those who suffer from a depressive disorder are made worse by the stigma attached to the condition among the general public. This leaves the patient feeling even worse, their sensation of inadequacy and guilt compounded by the way that society treats them.

Society as a whole must learn to treat those with depression and other mental illnesses like the human beings that they really are. they are simply human beings with an illness, no different than a physical illness, merely different symptoms.

Depression Warning Signs & Understanding Depression Symptoms

Based on the premise that depression is experienced due to negative information being processed by the brain, and harboring dysfunctional beliefs, cognitive therapy is an active, structured and problem focused approach to treatment. it is designed to assist patients to learn to think more positively and to allow them to experience vast improvements in their motivation and behavior.

Practiced as long ago as the 1960's cognitive therapy for depression has been studied by many professionals since this time, and it is still considered a very effective way to tackle the job of re-educating patients with depression, to live a much happier and productive life.

In general terms the treatment involves guiding the patient through a series of structured learning experiences. They are shown how to monitor and record (write down) their negative thoughts and mental images, in order to help them understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behavior. through this cognitive therapy the patients will learn how to evaluate the validity of their thoughts, and to change them to a more adaptive outcome.

As the cognitive therapy for depression progresses, the patients learn how to identify, evaluate and modify their thoughts, images and behavior, to allow for more productive methods to eradicate any dysfunctional patterns that may have predisposed them to their depressive tendencies. during this therapy a therapist will also teach some adaptive coping skills like breaking down larger problems and issues, into smaller more manageable issues, that are more easily solved or dealt with by the patient.

After a brief assessment of mood and any symptoms, the cognitive therapy session would normally start with a review of any in between sessions tasks that the patient had to achieve, agenda setting, and other graded task assignments. An important part of the whole process is the activity scheduling, and self monitoring of pleasure, which is something commonly used during therapy to assist the patient overcome things like inertia. in turn this exposes them to many potentially rewarding experiences, and enhances the outcomes of the therapy sessions.

Typically patients will require seven or eight session of cognitive therapy, in order to gain a good understanding of the model and the skills that are involved. However this of course will differ between patients, and the depth of their depressive condition. during the initial stages of cognitive therapy for depression, patients will normally experience a large reduction in the symptoms associated with their condition. Further therapy sessions are used to evaluate and modify dysfunctional beliefs and reduce future depressive episodes.

Normally a full course of cognitive therapy for depression would be considered to be between twelve and sixteen weeks, and many patients will experience a remission of symptoms after eight to twelve sessions. However it should be noted that some more severe cases of depression can take longer to administer, and the therapist or doctor should be able to access this need relatively early into the course of therapy.

Cognitive Therapy For Depression

Bipolar disorder is not a specific diagnosis. rather, it covers a spectrum of mood disorders. It is on that basis that I state that it is not A mental disorder. rather, it is collection of specific independent diagnoses which, grouped together, are referred to as the bipolar spectrum. this collection of mental disorders are considered to be amongst the hardest mental disorders to accurately diagnose.

There are a number of factors which make diagnosing it as being from within the bipolar spectrum difficult. if that is correctly achieved there can be further difficulty in specifying exactly which type of specific disorder is present. an accurate diagnosis makes a successful treatment far easier to achieve.

Manic depressive disorder, now more commonly known as bipolar disorder, can have a devastating effect on the life of anyone afflicted with it. It can take complete control of that person's life. this occurs as the afflicted person experiences mad manic episodes or one of those major depressive episodes. this type of bipolar is known as bipolar, type 1. Many people consider this the worst possible specific diagnosis of the disorder one can get. Not only that, it can severely affect the life of friends and loved ones of anyone so afflicted. Even when normal friends, loved ones and the afflicted person can be living in fear of when the next episode will occur.

As is often the case with depression it can lead to attempted suicide or even suicide. there are a number of websites on the internet which quote that one person out of two diagnosed with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at some stage in their life. Worse still, the statistics indicate that one in twenty persons with the disorder will succeed. Statistics also indicate that if a good treatment regime is in place the risk of attempted or successful suicide is greatly reduced.

If you fear that a friend or loved one with bipolar disorder might be considering suicide seek help urgently. there are many avenues available. a good starting point could be afflicted person's health professional. this is such an important topic that I will be devoting an entire article to it in the near future.

Next down is a diagnosis of bipolar type 2. here the manic episodes do not normally occur. instead a hypomanic episode is experienced. These can result in:

1) Happy, excited and joyful feelings
2) Talking more, faster and often louder
3) Increased energy, more activity and an inability to sit still
4) Increased sexual drive
5) Irritability and
6) Recklessness leading to poor decision-making.

The poor decision-making often relates to sexual or money matters. They are often of a very serious nature. They can lead to relationship breakdowns. Conversely hypomania can have an extremely important part to play in the successful treatment of bipolar disorder.

The next level down in a bipolar disorder diagnosis is cyclothymic disorder. With this type the highs and the lows are not as pronounced as with bipolar types 1 and 2. this might sound good. however, it does have a distinct potential disadvantage. this type can be extremely difficult to diagnose. The mood-swings can, and do, escape the notice of even the best health professionals. this is especially the case were there is a reasonably long period of normal moods between the change of mood. The potential disadvantage here is the possibility that the cyclothymic disorder may not be picked up. this leaves the afflicted person experiencing greater than normal mood-swings without treatment.

Up to now I have discussed the spectrum of bipolar disorders in terms of the levels of their highs and lows. The spectrum also includes diagnoses which take into account the frequency of the highs and the lows. The first of these is rapid cycling bipolar disorder. this diagnosis applies where the afflicted person experiences four or more episodes within a one year period. It is not unknown for two or even more episodes to occur within a twenty-four hour period. The reducing time between highs and lows can come into effect with the passage of time if the patient is not receiving satisfactory treatment for the disorder.

Another diagnosis is mixed bipolar disorder. this diagnosis applies when the afflicted person experiences the symptoms of highs and lows at the same time. Once again the conflicting, and confusing, symptoms can, and do, lead to difficulties in diagnosing mixed bipolar disorder.

Bipolar is considered to be one of the most difficult mental groupings to diagnose accurately. The first problem is the fact that it covers the two extremes of the mental health spectrum, mania and depression. The next complication is the variation in time between different patients experiencing their personal highs and lows. also, different patients can and do cycle in a different direction. most cycle hypomania first, (then mania if bipolar type 1), then depression. however, a number do cycle in the reverse order

All these variations in the bipolar spectrum of mood disorder do combine to make its diagnosis extremely difficult. this difficulty can lead to further difficulty in setting up a successful treatment regime for the disorder. It is common for afflicted patients to only seek treatment for depression. this can leave the health professional totally unaware of the high side of the disorder. The diagnosis must then be wrong because it is based on inaccurate (incomplete) information.

A complete and accurate diagnosis makes the prescription of a successful treatment regime far easier to achieve. The key to correct diagnosis is total, and accurate, communication between patient and doctor. Can you see a pattern forming here which could lead to a successful treatment for bipolar disorder?

Bipolar Disorder - Not A Mental Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression. these episodes are associated with unusual shifts in mood and energy. Early onset bipolar disorder, which starts during childhood or during the teen years, may be more severe than forms that first appear in older teens and adults. some evidence suggests that young people with the illness may have more frequent mood switches, be sick more often, and have more mixed episodes (both manic and depressive symptoms).

Yesterday

• Few experts believed that bipolar disorder could occur in childhood.
• Depression and manic-depressive illness weren't considered brain illnesses, and distinct treatments for each illness did not exist.
• Researchers could not distinguish between severe irritability and manic-depressive illness in children, which would make it possible to develop more effective treatments for each.

Today

• A large, nationally representative survey shows that at least half of all cases start before age 25.
• Some medications have been approved for treating manic-depressive illness in children and teens, and psychotherapies, such as family focused therapy, also appear to be effective in helping children to manage their symptoms.
• Children with manic-depressive illness can have co-occurring disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, or other mental disorders, in addition to bipolar disorder. Scientists and doctors now know that, while having co-occurring disorders can hinder treatment response, treating bipolar disorder can have positive effects on treatment outcomes and recovery from co-occurring disorders as well. Studies focusing on conditions that frequently co-occur and how they affect one another may lead to more targeted screening tools and interventions.
• Imaging studies are beginning to reveal brain activity patterns and connections associated with specific traits associated with children who have bipolar disorder, such as mood instability and difficulty interpreting social or emotional cues.
• Genetic research reveals genetic similarities among bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Such studies point to possible common pathways that give rise to these disorders but also highlight limitations in focusing on specific diagnoses in research. this issue has spurred a new NIMH initiative-the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project -to make sense of research findings that don't fit neatly into current diagnostic categories.

Early onset bipolar disorder can be diagnosed and treated. With effective treatment, children and adolescents can lead productive lives into adulthood. If mental illness is suspected, it is important to meet with a mental health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Yesterday and Today

Those who suffer from depression warning signs and related disorders may know the warning signs symptoms of depression all too well. They also know that these disorders tend to manifest themselves as repeated episodes of the depressive condition with the typical patient having many distinct episodes during their lives.

While not identical in every person, depression warning signs that may be experienced can include any of these:

1. Difficulty sleeping or other disruptions of sleep patterns

2. Overwhelming feelings of anxiety and/or sorrow at inappropriate times

3. Loss of interest in pastimes formerly enjoyed

4. A sensation of hopelessness, lack of self esteem and feelings of guilt

5. Fatigue and overall lower energy levels

6. Loss of appetite or abnormally large appetite, leading to weight loss or gain

7. Suicidal thoughts and recurring thoughts about death

8. Irritability, restlessness and short temper

9. Memory lapses and an inability to concentrate

10. Difficulty in maintaining close or romantic relationships

Depression warning signs have increased in frequency in western industrialized societies, especially among those born after 1930. some have concluded that pollution and its attendant harmful effects on the human body are to blame for some of the increase in depressive disorders and has ramped up the number of persons suffering from depression signs.

Experiencing one or more of the signs of depression and other mood disorders has to do with levels of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine along with changes in the neural pathways of the brain. Imbalances between the neurotransmitters appear to be a cause of depression in many cases where depression signs are manifested.

Depression warning signs can derail careers and relationships, cause school work to go downhill and lower quality of life. the feelings of despair, sadness and frustration can make it impossible to function normally and relate to others. In many cases, depression goes undiagnosed due to the stigma borne by mental illness or failure of medical professionals to correctly diagnose or treat the problem.

Those who suffer from this condition often choose to self-medicate rather than go through the side effects of prescription medications. these people may use alcohol, caffeine or street drugs in an effort to feel better, which never works in the long run. Many of those who commit suicide happen to have symptoms of depression.

An additional problem faced by those suffering from depressive disorders is the stigma which is attached to the ailment. People who have depression signs are sometimes seen as crazy, unpredictable, even dangerous In short, they are often avoided because of their disorder which only adds to their feelings of isolation and despair.

The stigma associated with depression warning signs can be devastating to those afflicted with depression. Teachers, co-workers, neighbors and employers will tend to treat them differently because of the disorder. it can be difficult to hide in many situations, for instance, when trying to get a new job. while it is not legal to ask a prospective employee about medical conditions they may have, one does not necessarily want to withhold the truth from an interviewer.

At the same time, it might be a long shot to actually land that job if your interviewer is aware of your depression. this is a case whether or not your depressive disorder would affect the quality of your work. In the case of students, teachers may treat them differently and the student could suffer from low expectations on the part of teachers.

There is also a lot of misinformation about persons with mental illness of any sort, with many making the assumption that all such persons are potentially violent and feared as a possible danger. Again, this leads people to isolate the sufferer, making their life even even worse.

Health insurance plans offered by employers often will involve higher premiums from the employer if a new hire has health problems, including depression signs. the employers fear is that their premiums will go through the roof if they are to take on a new employee with any sort of preexisting medical issues. this is true Those who suffer from depression signs and disorders hardly get a fair shake from insurance companies.

The feelings of worthlessness and isolation that are felt by those who suffer from a depressive disorder are made worse by the stigma attached to the condition among the general public. this leaves the patient feeling even worse, their sensation of inadequacy and guilt compounded by the way that society treats them.

Society as a whole must learn to treat those with depression and other mental illnesses like the human beings that they really are. They are simply human beings with an illness, no different than a physical illness, merely different symptoms.

Depression Warning Signs & Understanding Depression Symptoms

Manic depression is characterised as extreme mood changes which can happen gradually or have rapid onset, a person suffering with manic depression can therefore be fine one minute and feeling extremely low the next or they could have an ok day and feel good about themselves and then wake the next morning with a completely different outlook on life, feeling very gloomy and wondering what's the point in getting up today. this at first glance may not sound like a serious disorder but it is a recognised depressive disorder and if left untreated can quite easily lead to something much more serious including life threatening issues.

As with most depressive disorders the exact cause of manic depression is not known but extensive research points to it being a chemical imbalance in the brain.

The symptoms and severity of manic depression can vary widely from person to person and is therefore a difficult condition to correctly diagnose. It is very important to see a doctor for diagnosis if you think you or someone you know may be suffering from manic depression, it is not a condition which can be self diagnosed or self treated.

Listed here are some symptoms which may be common to a majority of sufferers, not everyone will have all of these symptoms of course, some people will only get one or two of the symptoms listed but may have different symptoms too which are unique to their condition.

• Unusual tiredness - no energy, lethargy not caused by lack of sleep.
• Hopelessness - feeling there is no point in doing even simple tasks
• Pessimistic - always seeing the worst of any situations
• Inability to sleep - insomnia with no recognisable reasons, i.e. a recent bereavement or loss
• Anxiety - feeling anxious with no apparent reason
• Emotionless - lack of any kind of feelings
• Weight loss - caused by lack of appetite or weight gain due to comfort eating

Symptoms of manic depression can begin to show in teenage years, is more common between the age of eighteen and twenty four and tends to develop less in the over thirties but can occur at any age in both men and women. Symptoms lasting two weeks or more should be treated as serious and medical help sought.

Manic depression is treatable, usually requiring a person to be prescribed an anti-depressant thought to be most suited to their individual symptoms and condition. a sufferer will also be offered psychological intervention in the form of talking therapy if their doctor believes they will benefit from this. if the symptoms are not too severe and don't interfere with day to day activities in a big way then therapy may be all that is needed and will be tried before medication. In all cases the advice of the doctor should be taken seriously to ensure a more serious disorder doesn't develop.

What Is Manic Depression And How To Recognise It

Am I Bipolar?- this is one perplexing question a person, constantly experiencing dramatic mood swings in each and every single day of his life, would like to answer. in a year, one percent of Americans with ages 18 and above suffer a manic-depressive illness called Bipolar Disorder. how does one really know if he or she suffers from Bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, which is formerly called manic-depression, is a diagnosed psychiatric disorder that causes abnormal shifts in a person's everyday mood, liveliness, and capability to perform. The person experiencing such illness may feel very much ecstatic, then extremely bad-tempered an hour after and then back again to feeling overly ecstatic with a short span of normal mood in between both contrary tempers. am I Bipolar if get mood swings? The answer is no. Since a condition such as Bipolar Disorder is seemingly different from a person experiencing the usual mood swings because in Bipolar Disorder, the symptoms are evidently severe. if such brain disorder is left untreated, it may lead to effects such as dreadful behaviors, inadequate performance in one's job/studies or worst; it may even lead to suicide.

World renowned painter, Vincent Van Gogh, who's Bipolar Disorder mysteriously made him even more creative; Hollywood actor/comedian, Ben Stiller, who was open to the public about his psychiatric condition; Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose Bipolar Disorder led him to a cocaine addiction and accusations of spousal abuse and author/actor Spalding Gray, whose suicidal death on the East River was allegedly caused by his dreadful psychiatric condition. The previously mentioned public figures are just some of the popular personalities who once asked the question, am I Bipolar? unfortunately, the answer to their question was yes. Bipolar Disorder may have numerous unpleasant effects but through the appropriate treatment, people inflicted with such disease may lead fruitful and normal lives.

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by a series of highs and lows in one's mood. These highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Try to check if the following statements describe your day to day mental state to aid you in answering the question, am I Bipolar? :

Indications of manic episodes

I'm a very talkative person and I can utter a lot of words in a single minute.

I am an extremely energetic person.

I'm a compulsive shopper.

I don't like to sleep.

Family and friends have been telling me that I've been acting strange lately. I'm becoming a war freak, a loud talker and a very angry person.

I feel sluggish most of the time.

I want to have sex all the time.

I can't concentrate on something for a long period of time.

I feel like I'm the king of the world and I can do whatever I wish to do.

Indications of depression episodes

I don't get pleasure doing the things that I've always loved to do.

I have trouble sleeping at night.

Whenever food is served on the table, I don't feel like eating.

I have many aches and pains from the past that just won't go away.

I lack energy when it comes to having sex.

I'm a very absentminded person.

Most of the time, I feel like eating something.

People and things around me make me angry.

I can't figure out why I feel disappointed and scared.

I always feel gloomy.

I'd rather be alone than talk to people.

It's hard for me to get out of bed.

I feel as if my existence on earth has no meaning and nothing desirable is going to happen to me.

I hate myself.

I've always thought about killing myself and the ways on how to do so.

Indications of Bipolar Disorder

The highs and lows in my mood alternately repeat as the day progresses.

My mood swings cause me household and job problems.

If most or all of these statements best describes your everyday mood in the duration of one week or more, a checkup with your psychologist might be a good idea since there's a big probability that you might be suffering a Bipolar Disorder. besides, early detection and consistent treatment is the best way to win the battle against this lifelong illness.

Am I Bipolar? - Testing Yourself for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder causes sharp mood swings, bouts of depression, hyperactivity, and an inability to perform day-to-day activities. Further, bipolar is caused by physiological changes in the brain and should qualify as a physiological disability according to Judge Henry H. Kennedy, Jr. of the U. S. District Court in Washington, D. C. His 2002 defining verdict in favor of Jane Fitts, in a suit brought before his court, entitled her to annual disability payments for life of some $60,000 for quitting her job after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She was an employment attorney at the Federal National Mortgage Association.

Suppose the judge is wrong? Suppose, instead, that sharp mood swings, bouts of depression, hyperactivity and refusing to perform one's day-to-day activities are not symptoms of a physiological disease but a habitual, emotional mind-set that one can change as an act of will. the judge may be playing doctor at the expense of the American taxpayer.

For instance, there is a particular virus that causes rash and high fever. we call the syndrome measles. but if we had a fever from a cold, jogged five miles in an itchy wool sweater and presented the doctor with symptoms that looked exactly like measles, he would still not be fooled. This is the difference between a physical and a mental illness.

With a physical disease, there is a unique physiological cause and effect. With mental illness, there is no observable physiological cause. All diagnoses are based upon rote documentation, self-reported, or self-actuated symptoms. This makes mental illness claims suspect when they involve large amounts of retire-on-disability money.

Physicians' statements that Letts' disorder was visible on brain scans and characterized by chemical imbalances in the brain was the convincing straw that broke the camel's back of Judge Kennedy's verdict in favor of Fitts having a physical illness. but then, how does one account for neuro-imaging that allows people to watch their brain scans change as they change their thinking?

And Daniel X. Freedman, a psychiatrist at the UCLA School of Medicine and editor of the Archives of General Psychiatry, announced research back in 1992 showing that behavior modification alone produces changes in brain patterns. since changes in behavior are subject to Fitts' choice, this means Fitts' could have changed her brain scans by changing her behavior.

Ezola Foster, Pat Buchanan's running mate in the 2000 presidential election, admitted that she had lied about being mentally ill in 1997 in order to qualify for disability payments for a year before her retirement as a school teacher kicked in. I [had] two choices to survive. since [my condition] wasn't physical, they make it mental, don't they? if I don't have a broken leg or they don't see blood, or I'm not dead, they said I have to be crazy. her mental illness was worked out between my doctor and my attorney. It's whatever the doctor said, after working with my attorney, that was best to help me.

Is mental illness becoming a scam for disability payments? if so, Judge Kennedy's reliance on brain scans to prove mental illness is also physiological illness has not helped matters. In addition, the judge is dead wrong according to Jeffrey Schwartz, also from UCLA. Schwartz relates in his book Brain Lock that we have scientific evidence that cognitive-behavioral therapy alone causes chemical changes in the brain.

According to Schwartz's research, Fitts' could have altered her brain scans and brain chemistry for the better by altering her behavior and thinking patterns. why doesn't she? A surprising answer to that comes from the American Psychological Association.

A 1998 APA study found that depressed people tend to engage in self-defeating behaviors that create around themselves the very environments that sustain their negative self-views. the study provides evidence that depressed people sometimes enact manic and depressive behaviors such as hostile speech, excessive self-disclosure, negative self-evaluation, lack of responsiveness, reduced eye contact, negative facial displays and slowed or monotonic speech, purposefully, to elicit negative feedback.

Judge Kennedy over-ruled the APA and UCLA psychiatrists who hold bipolar to be a mental rather than a physical disease. What makes Kennedy so sure that bipolar disorder is a physical illness the same as Alzheimer's or measles? it seems that judges may boldly go where no psychiatrists have gone before, and there are plenty of lawyers encouraging them. This case might well be followed by thousands of employees' lawyers pulling profitable physical impairment bunnies out of the mental illness hat to fund disability retirements.

Our only hope is that one of these days that smart lawyer who won an unthinkable billion-dollar settlement from the tobacco industry will once again challenge bipolar diagnosis in court and save billions of dollars for the beleaguered insurance companies and small businesses of America who are paying buckets of money in disability payments for depression and bipolar disorder. Mental illness may be the biggest scam since Madoff and judges like Kennedy are playing doctor at taxpayer expense. if more and more employees are going to start claiming their way into mental illness retirements at our expense, it may very well cause a bad case of post traumatic economy disorder.

A Judge Plays Doctor With BiPolar