If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you'll need to recognize signs of depression, mania and hypomania; take preventative steps to beat the blues and manic episodes, and get professional help to curb destructive behavior. The symptoms of bipolar disorder exhibit themselves differently in children, so familiarize yourself with slightly different signs to get help for your child.
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Signs of Depression
Depression can feel like walking around with a wet blanket on — weighing you down with unhealthy thoughts and sadness. If you’re deciding whether to seek professional help for your depression then go through this list of symptoms and check all that apply. The more signs of depression you check, and the longer you’ve had them, the greater your need for help.
You’re sleeping way more than usual and still feel tired.
You lack energy — the smallest task is a huge effort.
You’re having trouble falling or staying asleep.
You feel evil even though you haven’t done anything that bad.
Life seems horrible, and the future seems bleak.
You just can’t get started on anything.
Minor projects take forever to accomplish.
You feel like nobody loves you.
You think everything’s your fault.
Nothing feels good.
You think you’d be better off dead. (If you check this one, get help immediately.)
If you’re unsure whether you need help, talking with a professional about your symptoms can do a lot to ease your concerns.
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Have You Ever Been Manic/Hypomanic?
If you see a professional to help with your depression, you need to report if you’ve ever had symptoms of mania or hypomania so your doctor can tell if you have unipolar or bipolar depression. Go through this list of manic symptoms and check any that you have ever had for more than four days in a row, then tell your doctor:
You function quite well without any or with very little sleep.
You feel superhuman, as though you can do anything and everything!
Ideas pop into your brain faster than you can process them.
You feel the need to keep talking.
You feel irritable or lose your temper often and for little reason.
People keep telling you to slow down!
You feel active, outgoing, and are easily distracted.
You spend a ton of money or rack up huge bills on your credit cards.
You engage in hypersexual or risky sexual activity.
You talk so that others can’t keep up or don’t understand.
You feel as though you’re the best and fastest at everything you do.
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Signs Your Child May Be Depressed or Manic
Bipolar disorder usually presents itself differently in children than adults, and it shares many symptoms with other problems, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Keep an eye out for the following warning signs in a child:
You see big changes in behavior; your child’s doing much more or much less than usual.
Your child sleeps all the time or has plenty of energy with little or no sleep.
He or she has a persistent irritable, angry mood over and above typical teenage behavior.
You child experiences uncontrollable rages or tantrums over minor day-to-day demands.
He or she destroys property, shows aggression, or threatens to hurt others. (If you check this warning sign, seek help immediately.)
Your child hates himself or feels as though he can do no wrong.
He or she has withdrawn socially or has begun engaging in potentially dangerous activities, such as sex, drugs, excessive shopping, stealing, and so on.
Your child persistently feels sadness, hopelessness, despair, or crushing boredom.
You notice changes in your child’s concentration, grades dropping, or problems in school.
Your child has expressed suicidal thoughts or engaged in self-harm, such as cutting. (If you check this warning sign, call a professional immediately.)
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How to Beat the Blues
Feeling sad often alienates you from spending time with friends and family and doing your favorite things. Force yourself to go out and use some of the following suggestions to help:
Go to the grocery store for one or two items.
Ask a friend out to lunch.
Visit the library or a museum.
Take a walk around the block.
Go out for a cup of coffee (decaf, of course).
Join a support group.
Spend less time in bed.
Exercise.
Work in the yard or garden.
Start a new hobby.
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Tips to Muffle the Mania
If you act quickly to warning signs of an impending mood episode and you remain vigilant you may be able to stifle mania. The sooner you recognize trouble the better your chances to prevent damage. Use these tips to help:
Mark seasons, events, or periods of time that you find particularly stressful, and consult your doctor and therapist for strategies to reduce and cope with stress.
Sleep more and party less until your moods stabilize.
Channel your energy into productive, physical labor.
Avoid all the wrong people — people who stress you out or jack you up.
Phone a friend — a calm friend.
Tune in to some relaxing sounds to calm yourself down.
Breathe deeply, stretch, and focus without thinking too much about the future.
Call in sick when work stresses you out.
Check with your therapist for advice.
Get your meds checked by your doctor.
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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/bipolar-disorder-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html
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