A personal story in the experience: I Am Bipolar

I was diagnosed in November of this year after having my first manic episode in October of this year. I remember my manic episode started off with my sleeping patterns changing. I'd wake up every hour throughout the night. It soon got to the point where I was sleeping about an hour to two hours a night. I remember my thoughts were going at a mile a second. I had a constant rush of ideas and thoughts and after days of not getting sleep my episode became psychotic. I thought my pet cats could read my mind. I remember I'd be thinking about wanting to pet them, then all of the sudden my cat would come near me wanting to be pet .. So I thought that the cat was receiving messages from me. I got really into the religion Wicca and I would study for hours upon hours a day. I felt so high and I was so excited about the abilities within myself and what I could possibly do with my life. I became an earth hippie freak. I'd freak out if my boyfriend would turn the lights on during the daytime. Accusing him of hurting our planet and wasting energy. I was convinced after listening to MGMT's electric feel that I had an electric current running through my veins. I thought I had the wiccan goddess and god within me and that I myself was almost turning into a god.

As of right now I've sunk from my manic episode into a depressive episode. My thoughts no longer race, my brain actually feels foggy and dead. I don't have much motivation and I don't really care about anything. I like being manic depressive though. I feel that it's a gift .. And as crazy as it might sound to some of you, I cannot wait until I'm manic again

What is Manic depression (Bi-Polar) and how can you identify its symptoms?

Manic Depression is the second major type of depression and has a major impact upon ones mental health. In this article we will learn what manic depression or Bi-Polar as it is commonly termed is and how we can identify if we may have some of its symptoms.

Manic Depression or Bi-Polar Disorder is the second major form of depression in the medical world. It has a major effect upon ones mental health and can therefor effect virtually all aspects of life.

With that said, Let's first consider what Manic Depression is.

Manic Depression, or Bi-Polar, as this disorder is also known as, has a range of two clasifications. Bipolar I and Bipolar II. These two classifications share in common that the sufferer experiences moods that shift within varying degrees from a high to low state. On one end feeling very depressed, and to the other end feeling manic or elated.

This disorder affects ones thoughts, feelings, behaviour and perception of the world around them. Though there are only four listed here, this is by no means the definitive extent to which the effects can be experienced.

What typifies other types of depressive disorders from Manic or Bipolar disorder, is the fact that the depression state is broken up by feelings of extreme elation or mania. You could be depressed for up to a week and yet if you feel a moment of elation this may be diagnosed as Manic or Bipolar disorder. This is the major seperation between the other types of depression.

Bipolar I, also known as Raging Bipolar Disorder, is typified by the sufferer having one or more manic episodes within a week lasting to a minimum of one week and more.

What are the symptoms of type I bipolar?

The sufferer can feel very confident and extreemly well about him/herself.

The sufferer has a tendency to talk excessively.

The sufferer may think or over analyze the world around them.

The sufferer can display much ambition in the situations around them. ei. money, education ....

Often the sufferer experiences feelings of sleeplesness.

Again, while this may be some of the syptoms experienced in a bipolar I sufferer it is by no means the definitive way of typifying or classifying the patient/sufferer.

Bipolar Type II, or Swinging Bipolar Disorder as it is also known, is often identified by the sufferer experiencing both depressive states and states of Hypomania. The Hypomania state typically lasts for upto four days. Often as a sign of Hypomania the sufferer will often excell in there chosen or applied field. This may also include social settings.

What are the symptoms of type II Bipolar disorder?

The sufferer experiences one or possibly more Clinical or major depressive episodes.

The sufferer experiences atleast one Hypomanic episode.

The sufferer Of Bipolar II can at times feel alot of stress which may impair ones ability to function.

Again, while these are just a few of the symptoms of Bipolar II, this is by no means the definative list as more symptoms may exist.

While this article presents simply the facts of the disorder, it is highly advised that you seek the attention of a physician if you feel you may be suffering from this dis-order.

In light of all this information bear in mind that proffesional help from dedicated physicians is a very prudent course of action. Seeing more than one physician is also advisable as, due to the complexities, Bipolar disorder may be mis-diagnosed.