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Depression: Are Antidepressants The Best Choice? (Part One)
Statistical evidence shows that depression affects more than 2.9
million people in the United Kingdom (UK). Figures also show
that seven out of ten suicides are by people affected by
depression, i.e., a total of 7,000 lives lost every year in...
DEPRESSION OR A MEDICAL PROBLEM?
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the resource box is included with a live link to my site. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated....
How You Can Learn To Treat Depression
When a person undertakes a course of therapy through their doctor, and there is no improvement, they may be suffering from a treatment resistant depression. This is difficult, and takes time to diagnose, since by its nature, depression is not an...
The Fuel Of Stress, Depression and Anxiety
In the 21st Century, it is predicted that stress and stress related illnesses such as depression and anxiety will become the biggest killers. Despite significant advances in housing, standards of living, quality of food, and medical science, the...
Your Daily Struggle With Depression
If you have been diagnosed with depression or feel that you are dealing with depression on a daily basis, you may feel that depression is consuming your life. You worry about everything. You don’t want to do anything. The things that used to make...
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How to Spot Potential Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Is it Moodiness or a Mood Disorder?
How to Spot Potential Depression or Bipolar Disorder
Step aside, ADD and anxiety—mood disorders are fast becoming the most talked-about illness of the decade. From sitcom characters and celebrities to everyday adults and children, more and more people are being diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. Still, thousands of others continue to suffer, undiagnosed and untreated. How do you know whether your moodiness is a normal reaction to life or the sign of a serious medical disorder? Before you head for the Prozac—or endure another day of undiagnosed misery—get the facts on these often misunderstood illnesses.
There are two types of mood disorders: bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) and depression (also known as unipolar depression). The symptoms of depression include a lack of interest in things that once brought pleasure, constant feelings of sadness and emptiness, and an inability to get things done. Bipolar disorder has all of the symptoms of depression as well as a mood swing called mania; people with bipolar disorder can cycle back and forth between the two states.
Scientifically defined as a “pathologically elevated mood,” mania can create feelings of euphoria, omnipotence, or hyperarousal that are caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. People with mania may experience extreme exhilaration and other seemingly “good” feelings, but the mania can also manifest as agitation, scattered thoughts, and feelings of extreme emotional discomfort.
Depression and bipolar disorder share a range of other symptoms, including psychosis (a break with reality that can be characterized by hallucinations and distorted thoughts), irritation and anger, problems with attention and concentration (often misdiagnosed as ADD), and anxiety. Unfortunately, these symptoms are often misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses or personality defects, and the real culprit—a serious mood disorder—is often misdiagnosed or brushed off. People with undiagnosed mood disorders often mistake their illness for a flaw in their character, and can spend years desperately trying to “get their acts together and lead lives like regular people” instead of seeking psychiatric evaluation for an illness.
In reality, both depression and bipolar disorder are fairly easy to diagnose—once they are considered as real possibilities. Although a proper diagnosis must be made by a trained professional, here are some clues that may help you determine if your “moodiness” is a sign of a serious illness:
Suicidal thoughts: Thoughts of suicide are common among those suffering from serious depression. Whether action-oriented (I'm going to get a gun and shoot myself; I'm going to take a bottle of pills with a bottle of wine) or more passive (I wish I were dead; Things would be better if I were gone), suicidal thoughts are always a sign that a person’s brain chemistry is not functioning properly, and that professional help is needed immediately.
Unnaturally elevated moods: Mania can be so sneaky. When a person who has been depressed suddenly feels the cloud lift, it's natural to think that the depression has ended and that the person is finally “back to normal.” But for people with bipolar disorder, this is often the first stage of an unnatural, escalating mood swing in the opposite direction. Mania often feels so good—at first—that it's hard for people to recognize it, or acknowledge it as a serious problem. Unfortunately, feelings of euphoria or agitation can continue to intensify until the person no longer makes sense. Those who eventually experience full-blown manic episodes often end up hospitalized, but countless others who suffer from milder manic episodes (known as hypomania) often go untreated, or are treated only for depression. If you or those around you notice marked shifts in your energy, agitation, or feelings of well-being especially if they affect your sleep patterns, you may suffer from bipolar disorder. A psychiatrist or properly trained physician can diagnose your symptoms to determine
whether you’re just recovering from depression or experiencing the flip side of this serious illness.
Be aware, too, that antidepressants can ignite dormant mania in people. For this reason, your physician should be aware that what seems a clear case of depression may actually mask the presence of bipolar disorder.
Mood swings vs. moodiness: Some people are just moody. They often react negatively to life events, or they may frequently experience bad moods, short tempers, and irritation. While these people may not be much fun to be around, they do not necessarily have a mood disorder. However, if a person’s moodiness affects his or her ability to work, make friends, or function relatively normally in society, a diagnosis of a potential mood disorder is called for.
Mood disorders involve exaggerated, extreme, or highly disproportionate responses to life events. A moody person may be quick to anger when someone makes a derogatory comment about him or her; a person suffering from a mood disorder may react to the same situation with suicidal thoughts. Moody people can usually be reasoned with; people with mood disorders lose insight into their own situations and often can't see that they need help. For this reason, it’s important that friends and family members understand the warning signs of depression and bipolar disorder, and that they know where to turn to seek help for their loved one. Use the following questions to help you determine whether you or someone you care about may be suffering from a bipolar-disorder mood swing:
•Have you noticed a significant change in everyday sleep patterns because you are feeling low or more happy than usual?
• Do friends, family members, or others comment on your inability to enjoy life, spend within reason, get along with others, keep a job, maintain a relationship, or stay in one place?
•Do you often wonder what the point of living is, or why nothing seems good? Are these feelings ever experienced along with difficulty in concentrating or performing simple tasks?
•Have you ever suddenly felt a wonderful surge of confidence that allowed you to talk with strangers or meet anyone you wanted? Have you ever lost your normal shyness and suddenly felt beautiful and unstoppable? Have you ever made reckless sexual or financial decisions, only to wonder a few months later, Was that me? What was I thinking? Has this been accompanied with a significantly reduced need for sleep?
•Do you go through periods of extreme or unexplained irritability? Do others tell you that you are often unreasonable? Do you kick or hit things (or people) to vent your annoyance or frustration?
•Have you ever found yourself thinking (or hearing a voice inside your head telling you) such things as, You should die. You have no right to be here and you should leave. People don't like you. You're a failure and a fake. Or, I'm a genius. I'm smarter than any other person in the world. I am invincible.?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you may want to talk to a health care professional about a possible mood disorder.
Mood disorders are not personality flaws or a sign of weakness. Like diabetes, they are documented physical illnesses, and they can be effectively treated—once a correct diagnosis is made. If you or a loved one may need help, getting that diagnosis is the first step to recovering from these disorders and living a joyful, healthy, productive life.
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Learn more about Julie at and bipolar disorder at www.bipolarhappens.com
Email: comments@bipolarhappens.com
About the Author
Julie A. Fast is America’s leading voice for people with bipolar disorder. She is the co-author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder: Understanding & Helping Your Partner (New Harbinger Publications, February 2004; $13.95, author of the upcoming book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, which will be out in late 2006 and columnist for BP Magazine. Learn more about Julie and about bipolar disorder at www.bipolarhappens.com.
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| Welcome to Depression.com |
| Facts about depression, including how to manage it and how to live with this medical condition. |
| www.depression.com |
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| NIMH: Depression |
| Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more ... Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women. ... |
| www.nimh.nih.gov |
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| NIMH: Depression |
| National Institute of Mental Health presents a comprehensive series of articles on symptoms and management. Includes booklets of personal accounts and ... |
| www.nimh.nih.gov |
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| Clinical depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder) is a state of intense ... By definition the symptoms are not as severe as with Major Depression, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Great Depression - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The Great Depression was an economic downturn which started in 1929 (although its ... The Great Depression ended at different times in different countries; ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Dr. Ivan's Depression Central |
| This site is Internet's central clearinghouse for information on all types of depressive disorders and on the most effective treatments for individuals ... |
| www.psycom.net |
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| Depression Screening Test |
| Answer a few simple questions to determine if you are experiencing depressive symptoms. Provides a referral list and information on depression. |
| www.med.nyu.edu |
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| MedlinePlus: Depression |
| From the National Institutes of Health; Depression (National Institute of Mental Health) ... Select services and providers for Depression in your area. ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
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| Welcome to depression-screening.org |
| Most people with depression, however, do not seek the professional help they ... The depression-screening.org web site is sponsored by the National Mental ... |
| www.depression-screening.org |
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| iFred - International Foundation for Research and Education on ... |
| "This book can help those directly and indirectly touched by depression. ... iFred Brings New Hope to Depression with Thousands of Sunflowers ... |
| www.ifred.org |
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| Depression information and treatment |
| Information about depression, depression treatment, and facts about depression. |
| www.psychologyinfo.com |
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| Depression |
| Depression is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer. |
| www.kidshealth.org |
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| Depression Alliance web site with information about depression ... |
| Information about the symptoms and treatment of depression from Depression Alliance, a UK charity for people with clinical depression and anxiety. |
| www.depressionalliance.org |
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| WebMD Depression Health Center - Learn the symptoms of depression ... |
| Articles, links, and resources for sufferers of depression. |
| www.webmd.com |
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| Depression - Information and Support |
| THE starting place for exploring Depression. Support forums, links, articles and more. |
| depression.about.com |
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| beyondblue: the national depression initiative |
| Australian organisation provides information about depression to consumers, carers and health professionals. |
| www.beyondblue.org.au |
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| Using EFT for Depression, Teen Depression & Clinical Depression |
| EFT's results for all forms of depression are often astonishing. In most cases the depressed feelings vanish or are materially reduced within a few minutes ... |
| www.emofree.com |
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| Depression |
| The website for Depression. ... Please note that Depression is comprised of backfile volumes. Volume 4, Issue 2 (1996). Articles in this Issue: ... |
| www3.interscience.wiley.com |
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| Depression - MayoClinic.com |
| Depression is more than just a bout of the blues. Fortunately, treatments are available. |
| www.mayoclinic.com |
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| Mental Help Net - Depression (Unipolar) |
| Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health ... Fortunately, there are many highly effective treatments for depression today that ... |
| mentalhelp.net |
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