Friday, July 6, 2012
Bipolar Depression
Also referred to as “Manic depression,” patients suffering from bipolar disorder experience symptoms of euphoria in addition to symptoms of depression. These episodes can vary in intensity from hypomania, which is a milder form of mania, to a full blown manic episode where several changes in behavior can occur including:
- inflated self-esteem
- increase in goal-directed activity
- involvement in pleasurable activities
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- decreased need for sleep
- racing thoughts
- distractibility
- poor judgment
- reckless behavior and inability to maintain control
These mood changes need to last atleast 7 days in order to be considered part of an episode and can remain for months. Their duration can vary with longer periods between cycles occurring in the beginning stages of the illness. Over time, the cycles may occur more rapidly leaving less periods of time without symptoms.
In order to determine if a person is currently suffering from bipolar disorder, it is important to be examined by a professional. Treatment options include therapy, medication, and alternative therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Additionally, trials are set to open soon to determine the effectiveness of additional treatment options, such as deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) for patients suffering from bipolar depression. Please contact Dr. Kristie DeBlasio at dr.kfeehely@gmail.com for additional information regarding this trial.
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