Bipolar Disorder Depression Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
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It’s important not to mistake the deep and dangerous depression associated with bipolar disorder for “regular” depression. The symptoms are similar, but the treatment is not. In fact, antidepressants that often lift the low moods of regular clinical depression have been shown to make bipolar mood swings worse. They may trigger a shift to bipolar mania, prompt fast see-sawing back and forth between depression and mania or even interfere with drugs that keep the moods of a person with bipolar disorder on an even keel. Bipolar depression’s low moods may come with features not usually found in regular depression, including feelings of guilt, extreme irritability and restlessness.
Fast Facts:- A person with bipolar depression may move and speak very slowly, sleep for long periods of time and put on extra weight.
- Psychotic episodes are more common with bipolar depression than with regular depression.
- Suicide attempts are more likely in some types of bipolar disorder than in regular depression.
- Suicide risk is high in “mixed” bipolar episodes—symptoms of depression along with mania. This causes racing thoughts, anxiety, agitation and insomnia.
- If you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, work with a psychiatrist who will closely monitor medications to avoid triggering mood swings.
Depression, Anxiety, or Bipolar Disorder - Which Is It?
webmd.com — “Learn how the symptoms of Depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder compare.” View full resource at webmd.com
NIMH · Bipolar Disorder
nimh.nih.gov — “A detailed booklet that describes bipolar disorder symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.” View full resource at nimh.nih.gov
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