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Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is a phase or one side of bipolar disorder wherein the patient experiences and exhibits extreme symptoms of depression. Severe depression is dangerous and can ignite negative thoughts such as suicide and death.
Bipolar disorder is a complex medical condition with no known causes. Treatments vary per individual and the severity of their condition.
For bipolar depression phase, the patient is usually treated with anti-depressants to help alleviate their depressive moods. In worse cases, the patient may by confined in a hospital and monitored until the depressive episodes subside.
Extreme depression requires more than just hospitalization and medications. Continuous monitoring at home and accompanying the patient may be required to ensure that he/she will not endanger himself/herself and others. There have been reports of suicide and suicidal attempts of people with bipolar depression and when asked, the patients are likely to point out their depression.
Bipolar mood swings are unpredictable and do not follow a pattern. At a certain period, the patient may experience depressions symptoms and it is not always followed by mania. For patients with severe bipolar depression, the frequency of depressive symptoms occurs more often than mania.
Depressive episodes can be described as having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and self-doubt. Physical health may also be affected; it may cause weight loss or gain, sleeplessness and deteriorating health. Possibilities of going into drugs and alcohol are high, especially if the person has nowhere else to go for support.
Relationships and careers can be ruined, and the patient's state of mind is also blurred by delusional issues that do not exist. Fear or phobia may also develop especially with prolonged bipolar depression episodes. Even if there are no threats, the patient may feel this way towards anything or anyone. Social contacts are also likely to be affected in the long run.
Clinical symptoms of bipolar depression episodes
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism
Overeating resulting to weight gain or decreased appetite resulting to weight loss
Decreased energy, fatigue
Difficulty focusing/concentrating
Difficulty remembering and making decisions
Oversleeping or insomnia
Loss of interest on activities that used to be interesting and pleasurable (including sex)
Feelings of anxiousness, sadness or emptiness
Restlessness, irritability
Thoughts of suicide or death
Suicidal tendencies
Physical symptoms that do not respond to medication such as chronic pain, digestive problems and headaches
Crying uncontrollably
Treatments
Anti-depressants are recommended to treat bipolar depression. There are several types of anti-depressants that can help alleviate depression episodes.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs], Monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs] and Tricyclic anti-depressants are the three major types of anti-depressants that are used to treat bipolar depression symptoms. There are pros and cons in using these medications. There are also risks and side-effects.
Doctors will usually try out different types and doses of anti-depressants to check which one will be more effective and beneficial to the bipolar patient. Medications usually take a few weeks to see the effect.
Mood stabilizers may also be given alongside anti-depressants to increase the effectivity and prolong the "normal" mood of patients. Lithium is a well-known bipolar medication. It helps patients to have more control over their emotions and alleviates the symptoms of bipolar depression and extreme behaviors.
Therapy is another way to treat bipolar depression. This is recommended for those with early stages of bipolar depression and can be used alongside their medications.
Early treatment of depressive episodes is essential to prevent occurrences of extreme depression and mania. Prolonged treatment may be required for continuous relief, giving the patient a "normal" and productive life.
