What is Bipolar Depression?

An Inside Glimpse at Bipolar Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depressive Illness

More and more people are learning of the existence of bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar depression. But what is it?

Bipolar disorder has five levels of severity including: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, mixed bipolar and rapid cycling. Although there are five distinct levels it is possible for an individual to show characteristics of more than one level.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by drastic mood swings ranging from mania to depression and everything in between. I will define mania and depression later.

Bipolar II disorder is a slightly milder form of bipolar that includes mood ranges from hypomania to depression.

Cyclothymic disorder also exhibits mood swings that quickly change without any apparent reason, but the individual does not suffer from the extremes of mania and depression.

Mixed bipolar describes those who suffer from mania and depression co-existing at the same time.

Rapid cycling bipolar is defined as four or more mood changes in a 12 month period with periods of normalcy in between.

Most individuals diagnosed with bipolar I disorder suffer from all five forms of the disease.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

- Severe mood swings ranging from happy to sad, neutral, manic and depressed.

- Mood swings are dramatic and often seem unjustified.

- Skewed memory

Manic symptoms

- extreme happiness, euphoric, everything is wonderful and beautiful

- colors are brighter, smells are richer, tastes are stronger

- light feeling as if one could fly

- decreased sleep and eating

- increased physical and mental activity

- hypersexual

- irritable (usually when contradicted)

Depressive symptoms

- fearful of everything and everyone

- extremely sad

- feel that the world is a horrible place

- little to no physical activity

- unjustified crying

- unexplainable joint and muscle pain

Causes of Bipolar Disorder