Other symptoms are the fluctuations between intense mania and severe depression intervals. These periods often alternate with normalcy periods, making the disorder even harder to track. Besides the sudden mood changes, the symptoms of bipolar disorder also include concentration difficulties and inability to maintain certain efforts or functions required for a productive living. Depending on the bipolar disorder symptoms, patients are usually diagnosed with various severity degrees. For example, hypomania and severe depression are known as signs of bipolar disorder II. It is one of the most common stages of the disorder, and it affects mostly women.

Fortunately, bipolar disorder can be treated, assuming that it gets diagnosed on time and that the patient agrees to follow a long term treatment.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms:

The disorder is known to involve manic phases, usually manifested through bursts of energy, irritability, restlessness, impossibility to concentrate, euphoria, aggressiveness, irrational thinking, insomnia, etc. The depression phases are marked by bursts of sadness, helplessness, guilt, pessimism and restlessness, associated with weight fluctuations, irregular sleeping and lack of interest in life. Suicide ideas or attempts often appear after prolonged depression periods.

It is very important for those close to the sufferer to recognize the symptoms of bipolar disorder, as the sufferer usually explains them as natural reactions towards life’s challenges, the results of exhaustion, work stress, etc.  But as pointed out, if left untreated, the disorder may lead to severe depression and to suicidal thoughts, therefore jeopardizing the life of the sufferer. The situation is also accentuated by the lack of information on the subject.

Fortunately a significant change in this volume of information has been noted throughout the last couple of years, when the media began to pay more attention to the matter and the mental health community work on educating the population. Given the tendency most people show, to apply diagnoses themselves and to choose their own treatments following TV commercials or online information, we feel it is our duty to warn that the diagnosis should be left to the specialized personnel, and treatment should always follow a medical prescription.

If you suspect someone in your family suffers from bipolar disorder, do everything in your power to convince that person to see a specialist, take a bipolar test, offer unconditional love, support and understanding.  Don’t forget that the symptoms of bipolar disorder are often tricky, and disregarding them, or taking them for signs of something else may be dangerous for the sufferer.

But before we discuss that to any depth we should lay out specifically the symptoms of the illness as it is characterized by the DSM-IV. This is the officially sanctioned medical text for diagnosing mental disorders. While it is not known specifically why this illness occurs, there are definite signs that the condition is present. Extreme mood changes are present in anyone suffering from Bi-polar. While we all have good days and bad days, do not mistake the characterizations to which we are referring to. These moods include manic euphoria that can suddenly shift to debilitating depression. These changes must be constant as well, with the changes happening in matters of hours, days, or even months. These abrupt changes in personality are typically the cause in the disruption of their daily life and personal relationships. We can further detail the two extremes in mood by discussing the common characteristics of both.

On the depressive side, the most frequently seen symptoms include suicidal ideations, weight loss or weight gain, abuse of drugs or alcohol, decreased sex drive, and long periods of sleep. Other symptoms apply that are more subtle and usually only noticeable by the person that is suffering from the disorder. On the manic side the sufferer may exhibit extreme euphoria with no apparent cause, long periods of insomnia, complete ignorance to the fact that their unusual behavior is causing any problems, or aggressive and reckless behavior.

The ‘quizzes’ and diagnostic tools of the internet can be informative, however anyone exhibiting these types of symptoms should seek immediate professional help. There is no specific test to diagnosis this disorder and normal energetic individuals or introspective personalities my mistakenly diagnose themselves, or worse, begin taking unnecessary medication. Professional psychiatrists run a battery of test to accurately diagnosis this disorder which include medical examinations, a collection of the family psychiatric and medical history, and interviews with various members of the family members of those suffering.

For some, Bipolar 2 does not cause a complete disruption in their life, as the elevated mood, or hypomanic episode, is not as extreme as in those with basic Bipolar disorder. Bouts of depression are also associated with this condition, though they may be fleeting. Both types of Bipolar disorder require treatment, as symptoms can worsen over time. Left untreated, dangerous behaviors and hospitalizations are a very real possibility.

It is estimated that six million individuals in the United States alone suffer from some type of Bipolar disorder. Research shows that the first signs start to show themselves at some point between the teen years, up until the first part of the 20′s. This does not apply to everyone, though few individuals over the age of 50 develop a bipolar disorder. No one is immune to developing this condition, and no one is quite certain what causes it. There has, however, been evidence to show that these conditions may be genetic. Meaning, those with family members that have either Bipolar or Bipolar 2 have a higher chance of developing these disorders.

Hypomanic episodes somewhat resemble the symptoms of ADHD, with fast speech, loud speech, high energy, and a lack of concentration being prominent. Other symptoms include being over-confident, overly optimistic, and quite risky in behavior. Since these episodes can go on for months, it may be hard to know if this is just a person’s personality, or some type of disorder. One an episode of hypomania ends, depression usually follows it. Though it may not be immediately, this is the general cycle of symptoms reported with Bipolar 2. Both symptoms require some type of treatment to keep them from becoming too severe.

Left untreated, this condition can turn into true mania. For this reason, medication is often required. For hypomania, mood stabilizers, such as lithium, Depakote, and Lamictal are often prescribed. Anti-psychotics are another option, with Abilify and Risperdal being two of the most popular. Additionally, tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium are often prescribed.

Anti-depressants may also be needed in order to control bouts of depression. Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac are among the top choices for treating not only Bipolar associated depression, but other types of depression as well. After experiences months of hypomania, sufferers can sink into deep depression. Bipolar 2 depression is easy to spot if you have been around a person that has been on a hypomanic episode for months.

Since little is known about what causes Bipolar 2, there is no known way to prevent it. It may, however, be controlled successfully through a combination of medication and therapy. Many that use the combination of both of these treatments find that their symptoms decrease over time.

One of the most common attributes to Bipolar disease is an intense contrast between highs and lows. Many people often go through various phases of emotion, however, the Bipolar patient will be debilitated by such wild transitions. The highs will be manic, and unrealistic goals may be set. In a manic state, it is very possible to make life-altering decisions. The manic state often brings about a feeling of euphoria, which can lead to gambling and risky encounters. Once the mania wears off, the Bipolar patient will often fall into a devastating depression. Most people will experience periods where they feel melancholic, or slightly more sedate than usual. However, with Bipolar disorder, the depression is severe and possibly life-threatening. A severe depression can last for a few days or even months on end, and this can lead to suicidal thoughts. This depression is debilitating in the most severe way, as it causes relationships and employment opportunities to suffer.

The drastic mood-swings involved with Bipolar disorder are enough to warrant concern. Often times, family or friends will notice something is wrong before the sufferer does. In a state of compulsion, the Bipolar sufferer may quit his job on a whim. While this is not generally a cause of alarm, the person with Bipolar disorder may believe they have skills beyond their means. Simply quitting a job is not enough to warrant a Bipolar classification, but the reasons for doing so are. If one is tired of their job, or they feel they can no longer achieve happiness within their field, then it is perfectly normal to search for a new job. However, the Bipolar patient will often quit the job while believing they can instantly achieve success in an unrelated field. The delusion that they will be able to become a licensed physician overnight, or any other unrealistic goal, is a common symptom of Bipolar disorder. When reality sets in, so does the depression, and this combination can be very dangerous for the Bipolar patient.

There are other signs to look for when diagnosing Bipolar disorder. The afflicted may be hindered by racing thoughts, which are often times completely unrelated to what the person wishes to be thinking about. These thoughts appear to be distracting, and the sufferer is often unaware of how to stop them. Grandiose delusions that are beyond the limitations of reality are also highly common. Periods of insomnia, followed by long periods of sleeping more than 12 hours a day. While these symptoms can be experienced by many people, they are often combined and consistently present in the Bipolar patient.

By following this Bipolar test, you can help catch Bipolar disorder in its early stages. By treating this disorder early, it is still possible to function and enjoy a positive life.

On the depressive side, the most frequently seen symptoms include suicidal ideations, weight loss or weight gain, abuse of drugs or alcohol, decreased sex drive, and long periods of sleep. Other symptoms apply that are more subtle and usually only noticeable by the person that is suffering from the disorder. On the manic side the sufferer may exhibit extreme euphoria with no apparent cause, long periods of insomnia, complete ignorance to the fact that their unusual behavior is causing any problems, or aggressive and reckless behavior.

The bipolar symptoms can vary greatly because there are two phases of this condition: the manic phase and the depressive phase. During the manic phase, the person may have an elevated mood, engage in reckless behavior, have a-lot of energy and talk a-lot. During the depressive state, the person may experience feelings of extreme sadness and may also be suicidal.

Am I Bipolar

People who exhibit any of those symptoms should see their doctors immediately. Bipolar can be a very dangerous disorder if it is left untreated. There is no single bipolar test, but doctors can diagnose this illness in many ways. A physician may ask the patient to describe the symptoms that he or she is exhibiting. The doctor may also order blood tests to check for problems with the thyroid and ask questions about the patient’s medical history.

Many people who have bipolar will need to be put on medication to control the symptoms. Some of the medications that have been approved to treat bipolar include: Lamotrogine, Valproate, Carbamazepine and Lithium. The goal of treatment is to reduce the occurrence of manic and depressive episodes and help the patient live a relatively normal life.

Doctors may also recommend that the patients live a healthy lifestyle. There has been evidence to suggest that patients who live a healthy life are able to manage their symptoms better than those who do not. People who have bipolar disorder are advised to follow a well-balanced diet and avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, sugar and cholesterol. They are also advised to eat plenty of fresh foods such as vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Exercise can also help a person manage his or her disorder better. When a person exercises, it stimulates the production of endorphins. Endorphins can help stabilize a person’s mood. While eating healthy and exercising can be just as effective as taking medication, it is important for people to consult with their doctors before they stop taking their medicine.

Any online test for bi-polar disorder should be considered only as a pre-screening.  If the results suggest you may be suffering from BPD your next step should be to consult with a mental health professional. You should rely on a doctor to make the final diagnosis of any medical condition, whether mental or physical.

An initial Bipolar test or quiz generally consists of questions about your mood and temper.  Do you have days were you are easily upset, or days where nothing can get you down?  Do you find yourself being overwhelmed with energy, to the point where others notice an uncommon change in your behavior?  Another common question is whether you have at times felt extreme confidence in situations where you are normally not confident.

Sleep patterns can be affected by BPD.  Many times when in a manic episode you can function with very little sleep.  If you find yourself staying awake late into the night and starting your day earlier than you normally would, yet feeling perfectly fine, that could be a symptom of bipolar disorder.

As you go through an initial bipolar test, you will quickly be able to tell if you are experiencing the common symptoms.  If this is the case, don’t panic!  Many of the symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of other temporary and less serious conditions.  Again, this is why it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.

Finally, if it does turn out that you are suffering from bipolar disorder, remember that you are not alone and you are certainly not crazy.  There is help available and no reason you will not be able to live a normal life.

Google Adsense and the DoubleClick DART Cookie
Google, as a third party advertisement vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on this site. The use of DART cookies by Google enables them to serve adverts to visitors that are based on their visits to this website as well as other sites on the internet.

To opt out of the DART cookies you may visit the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following url http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html Tracking of users through the DART cookie mechanisms are subject to Google’s own privacy policies.

Other Third Party ad servers or ad networks may also use cookies to track users activities on this website to measure advertisement effectiveness and other reasons that will be provided in their own privacy policies, Bipolar Test has no access or control over these cookies that may be used by third party advertisers.

Collection of Personal Information
When visiting Bipolar Test, the IP address used to access the site will be logged along with the dates and times of access. This information is purely used to analyze trends, administer the site, track users movement and gather broad demographic information for internal use. Most importantly, any recorded IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.

Links to third party Websites
We have included links on this site for your use and reference. We are not responsible for the privacy policies on these websites. You should be aware that the privacy policies of these sites may differ from our own.

Changes to this Privacy Statement
The contents of this statement may be altered at any time, at our discretion.

If you have any questions regarding the privacy policy of Bipolar Test then you may contact us at marcumsales@gmail.com