Bipolar Depression Symptoms—And How to Treat Them

Bipolar mood disorder is often described as a disorder in which a person alternates between two states: a manic and a depressive state. When a person moves from one state to the other, the disorder can affect the behavior and personality of a person. People with bipolar depression disorder exhibit several common symptoms, depending the state that they are in.

What are some bipolar depression symptoms? When in a manic mode, patients describe feelings of intense pleasure or happiness. They are often highly motivated and creative. In fact, some very popular writers and artists have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and have exhibited most of its symptoms. For example, people who exhibit bipolar depression symptoms may talk incessantly and feel that they have a difficult time getting their point across, yet they have the ability to “think outside the box” and are able to attack certain intellectual problems from a strange perspective. In this state, they may sleep and eat little. Some people with bipolar depression describe feelings that can only be described as extreme mania. Symptoms may include hostile behavior, a tendency to destroy property, and experiencing delusions or even hallucinations.

The other side of bipolar disorder is the lower end, the state of deep depression. In this state, a person may exhibit a feeling of hopelessness, a loss of interest in work or family, anxiety, pessimism, a loss of interest in sex, and a desire to sleep nearly all day. Some people also exhibit other bipolar depression symptoms, such as weight loss (or weight gain), thoughts of suicide, physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches, sensitivity to light), social withdrawal, and excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

Bipolar depression symptoms can be treated in a couple of ways. Medication has proven to be effective in battling the ailment—by curing each of the bipolar depression symptoms. SSRI’s and MAOI’s are some of the most popular types of medications. Psychotherapy has also proven to be effective. Many doctors believe that a combination of the two is the best approach, providing a prescription and offering one-on-one or group therapy to those in need.