Bipolar disorder symptoms include unpredictable mood swings
which send people to two different worlds when they strike.
These people become totally irritable when under the attack
and they also exhibit euphoric symptoms. They may talk
excessively and always seem deep in thought and at other
times experience racing thoughts.
Due to the extremity of this disorder on the high side,
people may exhibit an inflated self esteem where they feel
that they are on top of the world. They feel that nothing
can stop them and no one can beat them. They become
hyperactive and portray a much energized self.
Is There A Bipolar Test?
Bipolar disorder is complicated. It can be masked by many
other variables that factor into the diagnosis. Basically,
there is no specific blood test or x-ray that doctors use to
diagnose bipolar disorder. However, the good news is that
skilled clinicians and psychiatrists can test for bipolar
disorder based on certain bipolar symptoms that are present.
Often, they rely on the history of the patient and
information from family and friends. There are many symptoms
that family see before anyone else. So in effect, there is
a bipolar test for the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Test For Symptoms:
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talking excessively and racing thoughts while
manic
-
internally focused in deep thought while
depressed
-
extreme high and low mood swings while cycling
-
poor decision making and judgment
combined with other symptoms
-
unexplained random conversation or
ideas
-
reaching out to addictive behaviors in
a self destructive manner
Bipolar disorder symptoms also include a sense of
recklessness when these people dive into their lowest. They tend to
do things on impulse and this includes unplanned shopping sprees
which are characterized by extravagance. They may at a point decide
to travel and nothing stops them. Other people with this disorder
tend to engage in promiscuous sex and careless driving. They may
also engage in high risk businesses. Since this disorder has two
sides to it, these people may also become totally depressed and feel
worthless and helpless most of the time. They also suffer from a low
self esteem and their energy levels can take a nose dive.
Of course, the best way to test bipolar
disorder is to spend time around the person to watch their
moods. Over some period of time, it will become clear when
they are in depression or if they are in a heightened state
of mania. Cycling between the two during short periods of
time is a good indicator for the bipolar test. It is harder
to detect however if the periods between the manic behavior
and the depressed behavior are longer.
Depression Test
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Is there a depression test?
How do you know if the symptoms of depression mean you are
bipolar? Depression is a symptom of bipolar disorder, but it
can also stand on its own as clinical depression.
The true depression test is simply
by observing a person's lifestyle. Usually, a person with
depression will withdraw from friends and social settings.
They will avoid doing the things that they normally enjoy.
They may seem continually fatigued. They usually lose
interest in most everything, even in caring for their own
hygiene. |
The only depression test there is is when
your doctor uses information gathered from office visits and
medical records, including family history. Blood tests are
often used to identify potential illnesses contributing to
the depression or that carry the same symptoms of
depression, such as anemia or thyroid and hormone levels.
How Do You Know if it's Depression
or Bipolar Disorder Symptoms?
Severe bipolar disorder symptoms include poor concentration where their concentration span deteriorates
dramatically, beyond average depression. They always seem distant and unmoved by what is happening around them. In other cases, people with this disorder may feel suicidal and it is important to monitor them carefully. They also tend to loose interest in activities that they enjoyed. They may also become extremely lonely and guilty of things happening to them which lead to self blame. Their speech
can become slurred and can sometimes exhibit poor coordination when performing
certain activities.
Insomnia is another bipolar disorder symptom which
is common with people suffering from this condition. These people
may also put in more hours in their work though they do not manage
to do anything significant as they get distracted easily. In other
cases, these people speak too fast and may not heed calls to
maintain silence. They also become restless and seem to move all
their body parts. These movements include tapping the feet and
pacing up and down. They tend to become more flamboyant in their
dressing and their wardrobes change to more exotic styles in
clothing. In severe cases, these people may suffer from
hallucinations and delusions. It is important to seek medical
attention once these symptoms are established to allow for
treatment.
The important thing to remember is to seek medical
attention the moment any of these bipolar disorder symptoms appear.
The sooner the doctors can begin therapy and treatment, the better
it is for the sufferer. With each episode, bipolar disorder gets
more difficult to manage.
How To Learn More About Bipolar
Disorder:
To understand bipolar disorder symptoms,
they must have existed over a certain period of time and
meet specific criteria. These guidelines are outlined in the
authoritative psychiatric practice textbook, known as the
"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"
(DSM). This is the primary source for psychiatrists in their
diagnostic analysis for bipolar disorder and other mental
health conditions. There are countless bipolar medication
options that are very successful. Also, the National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) has easy to understand online information about
mental illnesses, mental health care, diagnosis, treatment,
support, and recovery.
Read this response about a
biochemical test that accurately diagnoses bipolar disorder
from Fred Petty, the director of the Mental Health Clinic at
the Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center and
professor of psychiatry at the University of Texas
Southwestern Medical School.
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