Everything To Know About Depression In Bipolar Disorder
Everyone has been sad at least once in their life, but depression takes sadness to another level. It can leave you feeling helpless and lost. In some cases, depression can even lead to suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm. Bipolar disorder is a common condition that often involves major depressive episodes. If you would like to learn more about the depression side of bipolar disorder, keep reading.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder and Depression?
Bipolar disorder is believed to be caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. However, environmental factors can exacerbate bipolar disorder and/or depression. Common environmental factors that trigger or worsen bipolar disorder/depression include abuse, deaths of loved ones, certain medications, some types of illness, drug abuse, stress, and much more.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression in Bipolar Disorder?
Naturally, one of the leading symptoms of depression is a feeling of overwhelming sadness that may or may not seem to have a direct source. Other feelings you may experience include hopelessness, guilt, and emptiness.
In addition, because depression affects your brain, it can also lead to memory or decision-making problems. In the most severe cases, people with depression have thoughts of suicide or may even act on those thoughts.
Even your body can suffer from the effects of depression. Common physical side effects of depression include a reduced pain threshold, cardiovascular problems, fatigue, low sex drive, weakened immune system, and more.
How Does Depression Affect Your Social and Family Life?
Depression even harms your social and family life. Many people who struggle with bipolar disorder lose interest in hanging out with friends during a depressive episode. This self-isolation only helps to worsen the depression, especially if your friends don't understand and think you're rude.
Your depression can make getting along with your family hard, too. If your family doesn't understand your condition, they may get angry at you for struggling to get out of bed, do your work, clean the house, etc. Kids, especially, won't be able to understand the complex condition that you are dealing with.
Is There a Cure for Depression?
Sadly, there is no magic pill that will cure your bipolar disorder or depression for the rest of your life. Instead, treating depression and bipolar disorder is often a long journey that involves medication and/or talk therapy. Some people may find a medication is enough for them to regain their life, but others may need years of therapy before they make any progress.
Naturally, if there is an underlying cause to your depressive episode, such as being lonely or having an underlying health condition, treating the cause may help your depression. For example, if the side effects of your untreated diabetes is causing your depression, getting your diabetes under control may boost your mental health drastically.
Bipolar disorder and depression are a complex concoction. While some people only experience bouts of depressive episodes, others struggle with it for their entire lives. If you would like to learn more, or if you're ready to start treating your depression and regain control of your life, contact a provider in your area today.
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