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bipolar 2 depression

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Q: Whats the difference between bipolar 1/2 and Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features?
I understand bipolar 1 and 2, but other than psychosis is there anything else that defines the diagnoses “Severe bipolar depression with psychotic features” from the diagnoses bipolar 1 or bipolar 2?
yeah, im diagnosed bipolar 1 with psychotic features. but also read up on this diagnoses of ssevere bipolar depression with psychotic features

A: http://www.cmellc.com/topics/bdfaq.html

Ok.. i did that wrong… http://www.manic-depression.net/bipolarI/

go here after you read the first part of bipolar 1, then keep clicking next article…

Bipolar I Disorder is not a complete diagnosis in and of itself. When someone is diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, the doctor uses what are called specifiers to give more information about the patient’s current condition. Specifiers describe the mood episode and severity of the illness that the patient is experiencing.

If the person most recently experienced a hypomanic episode, often no further specifiers are given. Hypomania is by definition, a mild manic episode with no psychotic features. Therefore, it would be redundant to specify the severity of the symptoms and the presence of psychotic features. This diagnosis can be further specified to give describe if the person is experiencing rapid cycling, if there is a seasonal pattern to their condition, or if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes.

The first specification tells what kind of episode is the person’s most recent episode. The diagnoses with episode specifiers used to describe the person’s most recent mood episode are:

* Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Hypomanic
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Mixed
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed
* Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Unspecified

If the diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” that means that the person has experienced a manic episode, and they have never had any other manic or depressive episodes. For “Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Unspecified,” the person meets the criteria for the symptoms of either a manic, mixed, hypomanic, or depressed episode with the exception of the duration of the symptoms.

If the person’s diagnosis is “Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode,” the doctor may further specify the patient’s condition according to whether or not the symptoms meet the criteria for a mixed episode. The doctor may specify if the manic episode began postpartum, meaning after the patient gave birth. The specifiers can also describe the severity of the symptoms and whether or not there are psychotic or catatonic features. The doctor can also use a diagnosis specifier to indicate if the patient is in partial remission or full remission.

With the other diagnoses, they are further specified by severity, presence of psychotic features, presence of catatonic features, whether the symptoms began postpartum, whether there is rapid cycling, if there is an absence of symptoms between episodes, or if there is a seasonal pattern. The diagnosis may also specify if the most recent episode meets the criteria for a mixed episode. These diagnoses can also be specified as being in partial remission or full remission.

Taking a look at all the possible specifiers can give you an idea of how varied each patient’s experience with Bipolar I Disorder can be. You need only compare two possible diagnoses to get an impression of how vast the continuum of bipolar disorder can be. Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed, Severe with Psychotic Features looks very different from Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode In Full Remission. Patients with those diagnoses both suffer from the same medical condition of bipolar disorder, but according to the specifiers, their symptoms and experiences with the disorder are extremely different. Without specifiers, the diagnosis of “Bipolar I Disorder” fails to convey the exact nature of the patient’s condition.

Bipolar II Disorder, the more common but by no means less severe type of the disorder is “characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes accompanied by one hypomanic episode.” This stipulation is used mainly to differentiate it from unipolar depression.

The key difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II is that Bipolar II has hypomanic but not manic episodes. Also, while those with Bipolar I disorder may experience additional psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, Bipolar II by definition cannot have psychotic features.

The indicators which would lead to a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder are:

* One or more Major Depressive Episodes
* At least one Hypomanic Episode
* There has never been a Manic or Mixed Episode
* Another disorder is not responsible for symptoms
* Symptoms cause distress or impair functioning

Symptoms and characteristics of depression include:

* Decreased energy
* Weight loss or gain
* Despair
* Irritability
* Uncontrollable crying

Symptoms and characteristics of hypomania include:

* Grandiosity
* Decreased need for sleep
* Pressured speech
* Racing thoughts
* Distractibility
* Tendency to engage in behavior that could have serious consequences, such as spend

Q: I am a 24 yr old male who is diog with bipolar depression and anxity I have trouble finding jobs i have 2 kids
I dont know how to support my kids or wife with no money

A: I was there, just without the wife and kids. I’m 22. I was bouncing around trying to find jobs, I did everything I could. I even had a college degree but I live in Appalachia(Eastern Ohio) and the job market sucks. It took me some time but I finally found a great job, an hour away in Pittsburgh. Use every option you have. I used monster, careerbuilder.com, places like that. Just keep your resume out there. Even if you don’t have a degree, there are jobs listed there for just about every category from manual labor to contract jobs and so on. As far as the anxiety, that definitely happens with having financial hardships. That is what brought on my panic attacks. Student loans, credit cards, all the companies wanted money when I didn’t have any. You should be able to get help with medical expenses if you don’t have help already if they would put you on meds for it(they put me on Lexapro and Xanax).

Just hit up every option you can to find a job. Most unemployment places just have you search on the internet, which you can do from home. Just get your resume and name out there. The more exposed you are, the better chance you have at finding a good job. Good luck man!

Q: what can u do if your in a deep depression from bipolar 2?
boyfriend dumped out on me, mom doesnt understand, she always yells at me, support group abused me . i have no one to talk to. counselor appt. on tuesday. in physical pain also. mania is the only good mood . it rarely happens. been abused by people my whole life. serious answers only if can relate and understand. also meds dont help with depression.

A: First of all I want to tell you: don’t chase the high of mania. I know it feels great when you’re there, but mania is ALWAYS followed by a big fat depressive episode. Always.
I visit this website every day: www.dailystrength.org. They have plenty of support groups for people with depression, bipolar, bipolar 2, you name it. I find the people there VERY caring and supportive, and I recommend you take a look.
Also, look for these books by Patrick Holford: The Optimum Nutrition Bible, Optimum Nutrition for the Mind, and Natural Highs. These books have saved my life on more than one occasion (I’m also bipolar 2). Three weeks ago I was suicidal, and the advice in these books has helped me immensely once again.
I don’t know what meds you’re taking, if any, but you need to look more into that. There are so many different ones on the market and sometimes it can take a while to find the one that suits you, but it’s worth it once you’ve found it, believe me.
As for your mum, maybe it would be a good idea to get your doctor to talk to you about what people with bipolar experience. Hearing it from a professional might make more of an impact than hearing it from you. That’s how I got through to my husband. Also, if you go to the daily strength website, let her read some of the posts on there. A lot of them might sound whiny to her, but she should at least realise that these symptoms are common to everyone who suffers bp, that you’re not just whinging and looking for sympathy, that you do legitimately need help and that you most definitely need her support. Hell, if you want to, get her to email me at jdramunt@yahoo.com.au and I’ll tell her about everything that I’ve been through for the past twenty years.
Also, you need to establish a support network of your own, in real life, not just online. It doesn’t matter if you have to leave behind all of your current friends or whatever. It is important that you surround yourself with people that have a positive impact on your state of mind, and minimise contact with those who do the opposite (I know that can be hard, but do what you can). If you’re at school, talk to the school nurse, the principal, any teachers you like, whoever you think will listen. Talk with you friends – you’ll quickly find out who your true friends are. Develop strong relationships with your doctors. Find as many positive things as you can to introduce into your life. Read self-help/inspirational books – they really can teach you a lot. Try tai chi, yoga, pilates – any kind of physical activity that makes you feel good. Don’t watch the news, don’t watch scary/depressing movies or read scary/depressing books. Go for comedies. Make sure you spend at least a few minutes each day in the sun. Don’t be tempted by alcohol or illicit drugs – they will make it worse.
There really is a lot you can do – though some days it’s a lot harder than others to find the will to do them. Feel free to email me any time at the email address I gave before. You can ask me anything, tell me anything. I don’t judge, and I’ll always do my best to help.
Take care, ok? xoxo

Q: I was smiling as I was talking about my bipolar depression?
We had to get in groups and talk about our emotional states in health class. Out of all the people I was the most honest and told all 3 of them about my bipolar depresison.

the other 2 guys didn’t even speak a word..only myself and another girl LOL. Those guys just sat with a stone face.

They told me that I was smiling as I was talking about it. I don’t know why i do that…isn’t that kind of embarrassing?

A: Maybe you were happy to tell someone about it?

Q: Can someone explain Bipolar depression is?
I thought Bipolar was when you had highs and lows. At least 2 episodes a year. What if you are low all the time and never have the high where happiness is in your life. This has been going on for years.

A: IS a mental illness that causes very bad mood swings… At times, a person who has bipolar disorder may feel very happy, full of energy and able to do anything. The person might not even want to rest when he or she feels this way. This is called Mania. At times, A person who has bipolar disorder feels very sad and depressed. The person may not want to do anything when he or she feels this way. This is called depression. People with bipolar disorder can quickly go from mania to depression and back again.

Common medications used to treat bipolar disorder are: Lamictal (lamotrigine), Depakote (valproic acid), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) Geodon, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Risperdal, Abilify , Haldol.. Neurontin..

Psychotherapy is used to treat bipolar disorder…

Q: HELP ME! Niece, 19 yo w/bipolar/depression, living w/me for 8 months-How much is 2 much? What 2 do? Parents r
out of the picture, washed hands of her 9 months ago-just dumped long distance BF to take up w/Satan lover-has no job-no home-nothing of his own who lives/feeds off of others-now in “FLOVE”-while I work-feed her-hold her hand through DR. visits for mental and health issues-help her get into college-help with her bills-and she talks smack, is generally disrespectful to me-spends her money on meals her satanist-purses and getting her nails done-she’s called the police on me and now they say she has established residency and I can’t kick her out, even though she pays nothing towards food, household expenses, or the money she owes my Mom or me. At what point do I call this quits? I know she is mentally disturbed, but she’s been “stabilized” for 4 months and no end to the problems. The fosters who live with me are being dragged into it, with her blaming them for all her troubles. Tonight, she called the police, and I called my Mom who took her in for the night. Cop said she can return

A: wow, this sucks…being bipolar is hard, i don’t have it, but i’ve known people who have and it’s great your trying to help her and put up with her but i can understand why you’d be frustrated, sounds to me like you need to have a sit down with her…you need to explain that she is not appreciating what your doing for her and the things she is doing is making you wonder wether she should be there or not…ask her what she wants….talk to her and make her understand that if things go on like this she may have to find another place to live, that should either scare her enough to make her straighten up her act or if she doesn’t seem to care i guess boot her out and pray for her…i’d talk to the doctor and ask them if these actions have anything to do with the illness’s…i doubt they do ….good luck

Q: I have been diagnosed with bipolar depression .what is the difference with bipolar I or II?
I would like to know what is the difference ( if any) among bipolar 1 and 2..thank you

A: Bipolar 1 means that at least one time in your life you have experienced a full blown manic episode.

Bipolar 2 means that you still cycle from depression to normalcy and on to hypomania but that you do not reach full blown mania.

If you you do reach mania at some point your diagnosis will be changed from Bipolar 2 to Bipolar 1

Manic episodes do not always include psychosis but they may and so may some depressions. If this is the case then they will tack onto your diagnosis of 1 or 2 “with psychotic features”

Q: Depression?
I have been suffering from Bipolar depression for several years now…somewhere around 10 years. The doctor has put me on several different medications that caused me more issues (weight gain, fatigue and other stuff like that) that I could not handle. I have not been on medicine since I had my son 2 years ago. Things seem to be getting worse lately with all the stress that has been added since my wedding in May. I have an appointment with my doctor today to try to get something to help me. It has gotten to the boilling point where I can see my condition hurting my family. Anyone have any suggestions on what medications worked good for you or someone you know? Or any other comments for me…please don’t be negative..that is not going to help me at all..it will only make it worse.
I agree with all of you. I appreciate soo much your suggestions or words of support for me. It helps.

Bill – you are right, I am lacking self-confidence but I have had that problem all of my life. It’s not something I can just snap out of by myself. I almost wonder if at times I need people around me that feel like I do so that we can support each other…I am too embarrased most the time to tell anyone about my problems.

A: I have had moderate to severe depression on and off for about 14 years now I have tried that many different medications its not funny my main complaint was weight gain or my dose of the medication would go up and up until I hit the highest dose of that medication – Im now taking Endep and although it caused weight gain to start with (for the 1st year ugh) that seems to have stopped and Im starting to ever so slowly lose the weight again – If I dont take it even for a couple of days I end up having severe depression and many panic attacks – I dont have bipolar and Endep does make you sleep but then this is one of the reasons I was put on it as I have pretty bad insomnia as well so I need the help to get to sleep… I know I havent answered your question but I gave up for a couple of years when I was pregnant and had my baby etc and things just spiraled in a downward direction until I went back to the Drs to try some new medications again – just remember they can take a little while to kick in (around 2 weeks) so dont get discouraged if they dont work straight away for you… I wish you all the best and Im glad you recognise whats happening to you before you do, do something you dont want to do.

Q: depression/bipolar……fear………i’m 2 afraid to go to the dr.?
I’ve had depression for yrs I know. But now I’m begining to think it’s more than that. My moods seem to come and go like hours do. I stay mostly depressed, and in between that time I go from easily frustrated, to very angry and don’t want anything to do with anyone.(I have 2 small kids and a husband) It is on rare occasion i’m happy and when I am it’s very wierd! I used to cry all of the time (now i hold it in till i’m alone)but when i did cry ppl would be constanly asking what was wrong and of course i always say nothing because i really don’t know what to say….and still don’t. the slightest thing can set me off into a bad mood. sometimes screaming at the one i love and thought of hurting my self and others race through my mind. When i was younger i’d cut my self, and there was one time i took a whole bottle of excedrine migrane (but all i did was puke for a week.) I really don’t like trying to explain how i feel to anyone that is why i am here. bcause no one can’t see me
if someone could help that would mean so much to me.
btw…i have tried to make appointments but i live in a small town and i’m afraid someone would see me and think i’m crazy. I’m also afaid they will tell me i have a lot more wrong with me than i think.
there is always something bad in my mind and i can’t get it to stop…like an impending doom!
I would like to just run away and hide forever but i can’t leave my family.even though i feel like i’m already gone sometimes.

please help me!!!
thanks

A: I’m from a small town too. Go to a neighboring town. Someone very close to me is suffering from depression/bipolar and I’m having a hard time telling myself it has nothing to do with me. I can only imagine what your child might be thinking. Your family is hurting too and it can be treated with medicines. It may take some time figuring out the right dosage but once you get it figured out, you’ll feel better. I’m wishing my loved one would see a doctor but it has to be a decision made by the one suffering from the condition. I think he’s worried about people knowing too, but I’d be willing to drive where no one knows us if it’d help. Life’s too short to spend it depressed.

Q: How long does it take for lamictal (generic lamotrigine) to work for a bipolar type 2 depression? ?
Thank you!

A: You are supposed to titrate the dose three times ( i am assuming you got the starter packet). It may take a few weeks before you notice a change in mood because of building the med up slow in your body.

Be patient. This is a good med with few side effects (like the weight gain and having to do blood work). The one negative thing that could arise is a rash that only a few people get with this med. Call your doctor ASAP if this happens.

Q: Is attempting or committing suicide because of depression/bipolar disorder justifiable? Why?
There are several general issues pertaining to my asking this question:

ASIDE FROM religious perspectives,
(1) is depression unforgivably selfish? Why?
(2) is attempting/committing suicide immoral? Why?
(3) is euthanasia (in the traditional sense of termination of life due to ‘biological’ illnesses) immoral? Why?
(4) are the principles of suicide and euthanasia the same? Why?

Lastly,
(5) is depression/bipolar disorder as ‘legitimate’ a disease as, i.e., cancer? Why?

I am curious about the general consensus of the answers to these questions. Please explain your answer thoroughly so your train of thought is sufficiently conveyed. Thanks!
Crap, sorry, I posted this question like 3-4 times. Stupid internet.

Additional note: I am not considering suicide, just taking a survey on the matter. I’m fine! =)
Apologies for dictating that the answer had to be from non-religious perspective. I wrote that because I have already explored that perspective concerning my question. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have restricted it like that because that’s part of the answers of many people.

A: As a person whi suffers from depression, I tink I have more right that anyone else to answer these.

1) No. Depression cannot be helped. People have this awful habit of thinking that people with depression can get over it, they’re just overdramatizing and don’t want to. Not the case! Do you think we LIKE feeling like sh!t every day of our lives? No. No, we really, really don’t. Every day is hard, every day is a struggle just to do the simple things… I don’t think developing a mental disorder you have absolutely no control over is selfish.

2) I think that there are many cases in which Suicide can be seen as a justifiable cause. Many people with depression just don’t see any “light” at the end of their tunnel. Where a normal person can see that the sadness will eventually end, and that there are many things worth seeing it to the next day for, Depression clouds a persons judgement and just fails in letting them see these simple facts that people without the disorder take for granted.

3) No, I don’t thing euthanasia is immoral. Euthanasia is not murder. It is someone who is sick or dying themselves requesting that another person assist them in taking their own lives. Many people who have committed euthanasia say that the person they assisted wanted it because they were bound to die of a very painful, humiliating and undignified terminal disease and that they would have rather died on their own terms than let the disease absolutely cripple them, and let their family see them in such a undignified way, the last way people may ever see them… the last way people will remember them… I see nothing wrong with this…

4) No. Suicide is when a person does it themselves. Euthanasia is assisted, and usually the person is very physically ill to want to commit euthanasia.

5) YES!! There is so much stigma surrounding mental disorders. People assume that because they can physically see the damage they cause, they don’t physically “exist”. They think because it affects he persons brain functions, the person is “thinking them up”. Not true. Most mental disorders are just as much physiological as a disease like Cancer. Many chemicals inside the brain are imbalanced, causing devastating effects on the persons mood and personality, causing mental disorders. I think people need tobe educated more about them..

Q: Treat Depression and Type 2 Bipolar?
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, mainly sever depression with lack of sleep as the main side affect of my manias. Since I have just recently been diagnosed, they are still working on finding the right dose of medicines for me. I am currently on Abilify and Zoloft. What are nonmedicinal ways to make myself feel better while waiting for the medicines to take over and/or ways to enhance the affects of the medicines? Any advice on how to treat/beat/feel better with depression would also be helpful. Thanks.

A: Healthy diet, exercise, meditation……. lots of fish in your diet and stay away from processes foods. Suppliment with Omegas and a multi vitamin. These are things that you should continue even after you find the right meds to do as staying in good health will in the long term keep you better able to handle the disorder better. None of these will cure it or even really make a big difference in symptoms but in the long haul they do help.

Q: Sever Depression and Type 2 Bipolar?
I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 bipolar, mainly sever depression with lack of sleep as the main side affect of my manias. Since I have just recently been diagnosed, they are still working on finding the right dose of medicines for me. I am currently on Abilify and Zoloft. What are nonmedicinal ways to make myself feel better while waiting for the medicines to take over and/or ways to enhance the affects of the medicines? Any advice on how to treat/beat/feel better with depression would also be helpful. Thanks.

A: Yoga, Running, Hiking, Eat healthy food, Enjoy a trip to the library or a quiet walk in the countryside, the support of your family and friends, learning to take it easy, take a hobby that is not too demanding. Quit watching tv – very important.

In short, do things you enjoy that involve the more positive aspects of life and do them without stressing about it.

Q: depro or bipolar/depression pills harmful to a baby?
i was on the depro shot when i got pregnant and my bf in the past years has been on bipolar and depression meds even though he isnt bipolar what are the possible side effects that would be harmful to the baby like any birthdefects. I only had one shot it was my first and im only about 1 1/2 months along but i really need to know the risk so i can decide what to do

A: To really know for sure you need to see your doctor. I worked as a RN for 20 years and I can’t say for sure. This relates to the Depro shot.

As far as your b/f being on medications, I have never heard of medications affecting a man’s sperm. So you should be OK there. But, since you have to talk to a doctor ASAP to find out about the Depro shot, you might as well ask about your b/f’s medications as well.

There is another concern about your baby that you need to check into. You say that your b/f is on antidepressant medication and meds for Bipolar disorder but that he is not bipolar. I worked as a RN in psych for 20 years and never heard of a doctor prescribing meds for Bipolar Disorder for someone who didn’t have Bipolar disorder.

How do you know that your b/f doesn’t have Bipolar Disorder? Is it because he said so? Many people who have Bipolar Disorder are in “denial” about their illness, it’s a symptom of the illness.

If your b/f has Bipolar disorder and he is the father of your baby, your baby could inherit the disease, because it’s a genetic disorder. Please get this checked out.

I hope that something I have said has helped. My best wishes to you and your baby.

Q: Can a person with bipolar & chronic depression be a danger to her son?
My ex daughter in law has recently been diagnosed with bi polar and chronic depression. She is unable to obtain a job and support herself. She has my 2 year old grandson 3 days per week alone. She doesn’t act herself, talks out of her head and does things that are not normal. Her mother worries about her as well. Could she be a danger to this 2 year old grandson of mine and not mean to be? We’re really scared and worried and social services are involved but don’t seem to be doing anything much.
I’ve got a very good relationship with my ex daughter in law and care about her and support her. But she drinks, smokes marijuana and won’t see a dr. She has 4 different types of mental illness’s. My son is involved with social services and her own mother is. We all think she is dangerous to the child and herself. she’s tried to kill herself, smacks at him, runs his bath water so hot he is afraid to take a bath, can’t give him medicine, he cries when him goes home & says no. She lived with my son until the baby was 1 & since then my son has him most of the time but she’s legally allowed 3 days. She doesn’t always take them and she has lost him once before for drinking and driving with him in the car. But they continue to let him go back to stay with her some. I will stick my nose in anything that concerns the welfare of my grandson and help my son with financial needs or whatever. We’re hoping for the best for everyone. Nobody is trying to take him from her she needs supervision.

A: She needs to be put on medication for her illness. Your grandson possibly could be in danger if she doesn’t take her meds. There are a lot of factors that would come into play. Has she tried to kill herself b/4? Does she have any violence issues in her past? If she hasn’t had either of these things and is getting help – she may not be a danger. It’s a tough call..I would rather err on the side of caution, than not. Talk to her, talk to her doctor – see what he/she says.

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