Depression and Bipolar Disorder

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             There is often times another key obstacle that stands in the way of mental health wellness. It can easily be missed in diagnosis and may play a role in the negativity persisting. The majority of people who are identified as having depression or bipolar disorder are also experiencing symptoms of anxiety. "A survey conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance shows that both patients and physicians are not fully aware of the correlation between anxiety symptoms and other mood disorders, specifically depression and bipolar disorder" (Clayton, 2005). The severity of anxiety presence with either of these issues is highly underestimated. Anxiety disorders can materialize in the form of any specific phobia, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress (Clayton, 2005). In America alone, more than 19 million people suffer from some type of anxiety (Clayton, 2005). .
             Bipolar disorder has ruined many lives. Artists, musicians, and writers experience mood swings and tend to romanticize the illness, which is very serious and comes with an increased risk of suicide (Genetics Workgroup, 2006). More than two and a half percent of America is affected by this debilitating illness. Typically, it emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, but can also appear in childhood. It is defined as cycles or episodes of mania and then depression. More and more frequently, the separate states converge into a manic and depressive or "mixed" experience (Genetics Workgroup, 2006). Symptoms of the depressive state include a persistent sad mood, loss of interest and pleasure in once enjoyed activities, insomnia or constant desire to sleep, lethargy and agitation, along with inappropriate feelings of guilt and worthlessness (Clayton, 2005). Mania is described as an abnormally elevated mood, overly-inflated self-esteem, sleeplessness, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activities such as shopping, and excessive involvement in risky behaviors (Genetics Workgroup, 2006).