Managing Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression or bipolar disorder is a disorder related to the moods of the human being. It was formerly known as manic depression. People with bipolar depression may face high energy levels, get hyperactive, restlessness, get negative thoughts, think about death, and many more. The symptoms one suffers are contingent on the mood swings one faces.

The National Institute of Mental Health mentions two mood swings in bipolar depression- high mood and low mood. This type of depression is usually diagnosed in teenagers and late adolescents. Women can also get diagnosed with the same during early pregnancy and post-childbirth.

The overall symptoms that an individual faces can be categorized into three categories:

• Bipolar 1: This is followed by experiencing manic episodes, delusional disorder, and depressive episodes
• Bipolar 2: This is followed by more depressive moods and some cases of a hypomanic episode
• Cyclothymia: This is followed by a combination of hypomanic and depression  

Living with bipolar disorder is like living with any other disease, such as diabetes. One needs lifestyle changes, willpower, therapies, and medications to overcome the same. However, other than medication, one can adopt the following methods to manage the mood swings:

Actively participating in your treatment: This is about digging deeper into the disease and performing in-depth research about bipolar depression to learn and understand better. This will help individuals recognize the common symptoms in themselves and then make choices

Have a routine: Having discipline in one’s life is good for everyone; this implies sleeping on time, waking up at a specific interval, exercising regularly, indulging in other mood-change activities such as reading, listening to music, relaxing, and many more

Maintaining Stress Level: Stress is dangerous for all, and in the case of bipolar depression, it can lead to mood swings and depression. Therefore, keeping track of stress levels is good; this must be followed by adopting techniques when feeling overwhelmed by stress at work and home

Keeping track of diet: As the saying goes, you are what you eat, and as any change in food can cause a shift in the mood of an individual, therefore it is essential to have a healthy diet such as eating fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, fatty acids, and more. It is advisable to practice abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Completing the treatment: An individual needs to complete the treatment to feel fit. Treatment for bipolar can be taking some medications regularly and scheduling counseling sessions with their counselor. However, it is imperative to note that stopping the medication in between the treatment is not advisable, and it can lead to further worsening of the situation

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects both the individual and their loved ones. It can get difficult to deal with the bipolar episodes of the individual and to take care of the patient at the same time. Bipolar can have an impact on family members in many ways:

• Feelings of guilt and sadness
• Unable to follow the routine
• Deal with the negative and sarcastic behavior
• Bitter and strained relationships
• Stressful situations arising at a point in time

It becomes imperative for the family members to educate themselves about the illness to overcome the side effects and deal with the hostile atmosphere such that it becomes normal to live with the demanding disease. It is also essential to seek the right help and develop the right skills to deal strategically with the illness.

Bipolar depression is a lifelong illness; however, consistent treatment and leading a healthy lifestyle can aid an individual in living a healthy life. It is natural to diagnose bipolar disorder when suffering from depression; therefore, the doctor must understand and analyze the symptoms and provide treatment accordingly. Furthermore, it is essential to have a clear-cut understanding of bipolar depression and unipolar depression symptoms.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals that have expertise in writing for healthcare; suppose you see any issues related to depression, anxiety, and stress, we strictly advise you to seek medical consultation.