Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse

Bipolar: (Adj.) Bipolar, or manic-depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that causes radical emotional changes and mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. The majority of bipolar individuals experience alternating episodes of mania and depression.

Bipolar Warning Signs
When a person's illness follows the classic pattern, diagnosing bipolar disorder is relatively easy. But bipolar disorder can be sneaky. Symptoms can defy the expected manic-depressive sequence.

Bipolar Complications
Self-injury, often referred to as cutting, self-mutilation, or self-harm, is an injurious attempt to cope with overpowering negative emotions, such as extreme anger, anxiety, and frustration. It is usually repetitive, not a one-time act. Some drugs, including marijuana, downers, alcohol, and opiates, seem to temporarily blunt the effects of mood swings, only to cause ill effects later. Others can actively exacerbate manic depression. Speed (methamphetamine, crank, crystal) and cocaine are two that have sent many abusers into mania, often followed quickly by deep depression and psychotic symptoms. Hallucinogens, including LSD and PCP, can set off psychotic symptoms as well. These drugs are not a good idea for any child or teenager, but their effects on young people with bipolar disorders can be even worse.

Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar disorder are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.

Mania Symptoms
Mania symptoms may include:

• excessive happiness
• excitement
• irritability
• restlessness
• increased energy
• less need for sleep
• racing thoughts
• high sex drive
• tendency to make unattainable plans

Depression Symptoms
Depression symptoms may include:

• sadness
• anxiety
• irritability
• loss of energy
• uncontrollable crying
• change in appetite causing weight loss or gain
• increased need for sleep
• difficulty making decisions
• thoughts of death or suicide

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Call us right now - toll free 1-800-771-8599 or in the greater Las Vegas area (702) 228-8520 - to get started on the path of healthy anger management and addiction recovery.