What is Bipolar Anxiety - Is Bipolar Anxiety Dangerous?
As defined in Wikipedia: “Bipolar anxiety or disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of “normal” mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.”
Explanation of the above paragraph in plain English:
For most people there are times when they feel anxious or stressed. This is a normal occurrence in our lives at some point in time. This type of anxiety or stress is not usually harmful. For those who let the anxiety take over their lives the situation can become serious if not properly treated and dealt with.
For some they experience depression and mood swings that become quite severe. It affects their thinking and can interfere with their personal relationships. They may have difficulty concentrating and performing their daily duties. Those people may be suffering from bipolar anxiety.
It is not uncommon for someone who suffers from severe anxiety to also be bipolar. The combination of these two disorders can be devastating to their lives. They may find that if they suffer from bipolar anxiety they will not be able to hold down a job or contribute anything to friendships they have formed with others. It is very important for those who suffer from bipolar anxiety get help to overcome the problem. Only then will they be able to live a normal and happy life.
Most people who are bipolar will also suffer from anxiety. It seems the two most often go together. It is often difficult for doctors to diagnose bipolar anxiety because either disorder can mimic the other.
If you suffer from panic attacks and experience significant fear, followed by periods of severe depression it is a good sign that you suffer from bipolar anxiety. Often symptoms will develop in children and grow worse with age.
A person who suffers from bipolar anxiety may find that it is difficult to get a good night’s sleep. They may experience fear that they will not wake up or that something bad will happen to them while they are asleep. They may go to great lengths to avoid sleeping because of their fear. Often those who suffer from bipolar anxiety will pace the floor to ward off the sleep.
People who suffer from bipolar anxiety may also attempt to commit suicide because they feel this is the only way to get out of their situation. Many feel that life is hopeless and nothing is going to get any better for them. If the disorder gets this bad it is extremely important to get help.
You may need to consult your doctor to get the help you need to cope with both bipolar and anxiety. Often medication can be of considerable help. You should also find a friend or a coach that you can confide in. Talking your way through and episode may help give you the confidence you need to take control.
Try to determine what causes you to feel anxious or depressed. Often you will find that there are certain triggers that bring on an attack. Recognizing those triggers can help you to either avoid them or prepare for them. The worst thing that you can do is to try and keep everything bottled up inside.
Many people also find that certain relaxation techniques will be very helpful in combating the symptoms of a bipolar anxiety attack. Deep breathing exercises may help because it takes your mind off of what is bothering you. Taking a walk can also help. Getting outside and enjoying nature is a great way to relax and take stock of your life.
If you suffer from bipolar anxiety the worst thing you can do is nothing. Seek the help that you need to help you deal with the problem. In the end you will be glad you did.
Drofwyt Iamal
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/what-is-bipolar-anxiety-is-bipolar-anxiety-dangerous-630044.html
October 8th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Issues with bipolar disorder and social anxiety?
When I am going through manic episodes I become very confrontational and irritated/angry and i am always on edge ready to use my fists before thinking about it, but theres always this sense of social fear that stops me from going full out. Its like I start thinking about how I would look and how people view me/will view me and stuff and then I just back down. Basically I formulate and am usually close to acting, but hardly do.
Ok so the reason I am bringing this up is because my previous doctor had supposedly misdiagnosed me for social anxiety and had given me some medicine, I think it was Zoloft but im not entirely sure and it made a world of difference as to how I acted outside. I took the medicine for 3 months before I was stopped and during those three months, I became pretty social but at the same time I got into the most fights ever.
So I don’t know, I am trying to figure out if I should bring up social anxiety to my new doctor? I sometimes feel so socially bogged down with fear and anxiety that it gets annoying and I want to know if I could really have social anxiety, because the medicine had really helped. I am only afraid of unleashing my anger filled side when I am manic and on social anxiety medicine. Does anybody have experience with managing both bipolar disorder and social anxiety? Or perhaps this all just a result of my bipolar disorder? In my head I keep thinking manic episode+social anxiety medicine = bad and dangerous idea because the time I took Zoloft, I wasn’t going through an episode and I still was pretty confrontational.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I can’t offer any personal experience but asking your doctor about something is never a bad idea. If you’re experiencing anxiety and feeling bogged down with it then mention it to your doctor, and talk about your fears as well.
References :
October 8th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Tell your doctor about it, be 100% honest and don’t leave anything out.
The more your doctor knows the better treatment you will receive.
Don’t leave out the part the you were not having a manic phase at the time.
References :
Took me years to figure this out.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Stop eating the physical definitions of stress in the form of gluten proteins derived from wheat, rye barley and malt. Just replace the starches with potato or rice base and eat everything that you ate before.
A good gluten free diet combined with exercises is the only option to life long pharmaceutical interventions of drugs that say may cause psychotic and/or suicidal tendency especially in teens.
I know this because I was suffering dangerous levels of anxiety when I was finally diagnosed what all doctors said I could not be, a celiac.
You must learn there is a simple dietary answer that the pharmacewutical industry and psychiatric industries know is true, A simple dietary change has tremendous results in stability due to the simple fact the stomach can now feed the brain the nutrients it needs.
Look up the word celiac on a google search and read the related dysfunctions and read the book why you think you are smart, then learn you are smart. You have found the defining thing that has messed up my life. I hope I help.
References :
enterolab Just google it.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
The zoloft was agitating you, making your manic symptoms stronger. You are someone that can’t take antidepressants (and in fact, many bipolar researchers do not think that most bipolar folks should take antidepressants, despite the way psychiatrists love to prescribe them). Make sure your doc knows this. You are going to have to work on social anxiety thru a therapist. Watch out if you try benzodiazepine meds (xanax, valium, ativan, etc.) because some people get aggressive on those, too, even though for most people it mellows them out.
Right now I am having problems because I am taking adderall to give me a bit more energy for chores, but I am getting more agitated on it (the depakote helps a bit.) I’m under a lot of stress now, and am taking a low dose of thorazine to help, and it seems to cut the aggression a LOT. Usually risperdal is given for this, you could try a low dose of that maybe, it’s generic, but only recently so it is still $$$. for a cheaper thing, try haldol, it is still used quite a bit, I think. The old antipsychotics have the risk of involuntary facial movements primarily, and the new ones have the risk of heart attack. You pick (ask the doc for the relative risks, at low doses, the risk may not be much and is probably worth it, but you should know).
Good luck!
References :
I’ve had bipolar for years & had problems with SSRI’s too