What do I need to know?
Depression is one of the most common of the mental health disorders. Depression also occurs with bipolar disorder, a less common but a severe and lifelong condition where individuals experience manic or hypomanic episodes, and periods of depression. The depression of bipolar depression is often confused with unipolar depression, but it is treated quite differently.
Depression varies widely from person to person, with some individuals feeling very sad, and losing interest in activities, crying, low energy, hopelessness and then gradually mood improves and behaviours change. Some people may experience one episode of depression that never returns again while others may have several episodes of depression throughout their lives. Having a first episode increases a person’s likelihood of having future episodes. However, with proper and timely treatment, recurrence of symptoms can often be prevented.
Understanding Unipolar and Bipolar Depression
The depression described above is known as unipolar depression because symptoms remain on one extreme. Bipolar depression, on the other hand, occurs when the individual’s mood and behaviour reaches two extremes. One of sadness and low energy and the other of a more elevated and high-energy state.
A person can experience an episode of low energy and mood followed by a manic or hypomanic episode of increased energy and agitated mood and this manic state can persist for several days followed by a depressed state the following day. This pattern of symptoms can be extremely difficult both for the affected person and loved ones and ability to complete daily life activities is often significantly affected.
Misconceptions About Bipolar Episodes
A common misconception about the manic or hypomanic episodes is that the person feels “happy” or becomes very productive and is able to get large amounts of work completed during episodes. People experiencing hypomanic or manic episodes have a decreased need for sleep and experience an increase in goal-directed activity, but during a manic or hypomanic episode often feel very irritable, agitated, impatient, and can become easily angered. They feel “energetic enough” to get work done, but they are often unable to focus on any one task long enough to complete it or complete it properly.
Individuals in this state describe their thoughts as “racing” through their mind and it is often difficult for these individuals to communicate and for others to understand them, as they will often jump quickly from topic to topic or will be unable to complete a sentence before jumping to another topic or idea.
Seeking Help
An evaluation with a mental health professional can serve to diagnose what type of depression you or your loved one is experiencing. A diagnosis followed by the appropriate treatment is key to a positive recovery.
If you think you may suffer from depression and have further questions or you would like to consider treatment, please contact me through this website or on 0411 098 583.
