I did not feel that one topic was more of a priority than the other.
Bipolar Disorder.
A major depressive episode is not a major disorder in itself but is part of another disorder, most often-major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. A person who suffers from a major depressive episode must either have a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities consequently for at least a 2-week period. The mood must represent a change from the person's normal mood; social, occupational, educational or other important functions must be negatively impaired by the change in mood. Retrieved 4/21/03 from ( Http://www.centersite.org/poc/view).
In my daily work practice, I come into contact with many clients who suffer from Bipolar disorder. Major depression is usually the contributing factor to their illness, when they decompensate. Most often depression is developing over a period of time from one week to a couple of weeks. Sometimes it is stress related. .
Some signs of depression of major depressive episodes are characterized by the presence of the following symptoms:.
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly everyday, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation.
Made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (Children and adolescents, this maybe characterized as an irritable mood.).
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly everyday.
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly everyday.
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly everyday.
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent thoughts of suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide. Retrieved April 24, 2003 (Http://www.centersite.org/poc/view).
Medication-Bipolar.
Most people who have bipolar disorder take more than one medication along with a mood stabilizer-lithium or anticonvulsant.
