Depressive Disorders: Bipolar Disorder and Other Forms of Depression

Some symptoms of bipolar disorder are –

• High energy with a decreased need for sleep
• Extreme irritability
• Rapid and unpredictable mood changes
• An exaggerated belief in one’s abilities
• Impulsive actions with damaging consequences (e.g., charging up credit cards, sudden love affairs, etc.).

Two other forms of depression –

Post-Partum Depression is linked to hormonal changes following the birth of a child. This can be a serious form of depression, sometimes with psychotic features, but most sufferers respond well to treatment. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is found among those who are sensitive to the shorter days of winter, especially those who live at northern latitudes. Many people with SAD respond to daily exposure to full spectrum lighting.

A depressive disorder is a serious condition which affects virtually every aspect of a person’s everyday life experiences. It is not a sign of personal weakness, although many depressed people feel guilty about not being stronger and tend to blame themselves. It is not possible just to “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” in order to get better. The sufferer should find the help of a trained professional. A depression is a time for introspection and reflection, a time to discover what has gone wrong and what can be made better. A trained professional can help the person with depression begin to see things in a more positive light.

Many people respond to psychotherapy alone in their treatment for depression. Others are helped by a combination of therapy and an antidepressant medication. Medications can facilitate the healing process. People also benefit by acquiring the life tools that are learned in psychotherapy. Recent studies have indicated that medication alone without psychotherapy doesn’t work in the long run as well as psychotherapy alone or psychotherapy used in conjunction with medication.

What is most encouraging about this devastating condition is that so many people do get better when they find the appropriate treatment!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, once called manic-depressive illness, is a mood disorder that involves cycles between depression and periods of elevated or irritable mood called mania or hypomania.

What are signs of a manic episode?

Signs include high energy with less need for sleep, racing thoughts, extreme irritability, rapid mood changes, an inflated sense of one's abilities, and impulsive choices such as overspending or risky behavior.

Is bipolar disorder inherited?

Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, and genetics play a strong role, though life stress and other factors can also influence when it appears.

What other forms of depression are there?

Besides major depression, dysthymia and bipolar disorder, other forms include postpartum depression after childbirth and seasonal affective disorder, which follows the seasons.

How are depressive disorders treated?

Treatment often combines therapy with medication managed by a physician or psychiatrist. Fox Valley Institute offers counseling for mood disorders in Naperville and by telehealth across Illinois. Call (630) 718-0717 to get started. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 or call 911 right away.