The third stage is evident when the patient experiences delusions and behavior becomes hyperactive. .
The second phase of Bipolar Disorder, the Depressive phase, is the most hazardous and unhealthful. A depressive episode is characterized by a depressed mood or a loss of interest that lasts longer than the manic phase and is more frequent.
A depression episode is represented by change from a normal person to an illness that impairs the person that is having a depressive episode. Usually, Depression is the first episode in females, and it reoccurs several times before a manic episode takes place. .
Symptoms of Depression include: depressed mood/low self esteem, sadness/loneliness/helplessness/guilt, fatigue, insomnia or oversleeping, and suicidal thoughts & feelings. Patients with insomnia have difficulty falling asleep; waking and restlessness during the night, or waking up earlier than usual and not being able to fall asleep. Hypersomnia, is when a patient feels narcoleptic and is always sleepy. .
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt is a symptom that a patient makes unrealistic evaluations about themselves, or negative self-blame, such as feeling that is your fault for world poverty. Another symptom of depression is when small physical activity, such as lifting groceries, may feel like a huge workout and may take longer than usual. .
The most dangerous aspect of the depressive phase is the recurrent thoughts of death. Many times Bipolar patients report that the depressive phases longer and occur more frequently as the person becomes older. .
There are two main classifications of Bipolar Disorder. They are known as Bipolar I and Bipolar II. In Bipolar I, both phases of the illness, Mania and Depressive, are clear and shows. Bipolar I is diagnosed when a person has a manic episode and has not had any depressive episodes in the past. But, after the first manic episode occurs, depressive episodes come after.
