What Does Bipolar Mean?

 

 

When asking the question what does bipolar mean, a whole load of answers come up.  Bipolar is a word frequently “banded about” when it comes to discussing mental health issues in general and how to cure depression in particular.  So, what does bipolar mean?

We all have emotions and we experience “highs and lows” or “ups and downs” from time to time.  These variations in our feelings are perfectly normal.  It is part of what makes us humans!  However, when these conflicting emotions become extreme the person in question could be suffering from a bipolar disorder such as Type 1 Bipolar Disorder or they may even be exhibiting Bipolar 2 Symptoms.  It is at this point that we need to closely look at what does bipolar mean.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

The word bipolar is used to describe two extremes or poles. Think of it like the world with the North Pole and the South Pole.  People suffering from bipolar disorder have mood alterations or mood swings ranging from an extremely low (depressed state) to an extremely high (manic state).  Hence manic depression is another commonly used term for bipolar disorder.

Many people who are affected by bipolar disorders will have their normal daily lives disrupted.  They may be unable to continue working because they are feeling so “down” and depressed.  Alternatively, on another day, they may feel really “high” and full of creative energy.  This goes to the heart of understanding what does bipolar mean.

A bipolar disorder, in most cases is an unpredictable and confusing event or set of circumstances.  At one extreme is the manic state and at the other extreme is the depressed state.  If you or someone close to you are experiences these symptoms (mania and then depression) for any length of time, then a bipolar episode is being experienced. Please do not ignore these episodes. What does bipolar mean then in these circumstances?

What Does Bipolar Mean In The Context Of These Episodes?

Essentially there are four kinds of episodes associated with bipolar disorder:

Depression.  One of the poles in bipolar disorder, with deep feelings of sadness and despair.

Mania. This is the other pole of a bipolar disorder. Although this episode may be associated with high spirits and high energy levels the patient may become angry and irritable.

Hypomania.  This will present as a mild episode when compared to mania.  Unfortunately the patient may experience full-blown depression and/or mania eventually.

Mixed Mood or Mixed Episode.  These feelings of depression and mania can affect a sufferer many times during the course of a day. They can literally swing from one mood to the next.

What Does Bipolar Mean – The Symptoms?

The depression symptoms include:

• feeling sad
  feeling down
  feeling guilty
  feeling hopeless
  feeling worthless or useless
  feeling tired and  sleeping too much or too little
  feeling too little energy or listless
  feeling restless and unable to concentrate
  losing interests on the things which that person used to enjoy
  and ultimately thoughts of suicide or death.

The mania symptoms include:

• increased levels of energy
  reduced need for sleep
  being easily distracted
  racing thoughts and ideas
  much more talkative than usual
  appears more confident than normal
  looks very busy but accomplishes very little
  and more risky in the decision making process

What Does Bipolar Mean In Conclusion.

It is important to understand what does bipolar mean for you?  You need to get as much information about the subject as possible.  Learns about the mood swings and look out for what triggers the various episodes.  What does bipolar mean to each individual is a far reaching question.