Can you answer joesmith56’s question about Depression?:

A friend of mine has been going through some hard times and was recently diagnosed with bipolar depression. This means that some days he is active and able to do lots of things, but other days he doesn’t have the will to get out of bed, much less do anything productive.

Anyway, he recently moved back to the area and is now living kind of close to me (30 mins. driving). He doesn’t have many other friends in the area, and his illness keeps him from getting out very much and meeting new people. So, in many ways I feel as though I am his only source of friendship now. Also, it’s really difficult to stay in touch with him. When he is depressed, he won’t answer e-mails or telephone calls, much less return messages.

In some ways I feel like I can’t do much because if I can’t talk to him and hang out, how can I continue to be friends with him? But I also feel that, as a friend, I should stick with him through the hard times and do my best to help.

What can I do to help my friend?

Best Medication For Depression

Depression is a state of mind in which a person experiences acute mental illness and anxiety. It is one of the consequences of nervous breakdown which is also commonly known as mental breakdown. In this fast moving world, people have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders. Moreover, everyone has their own personal and professional problems.

Depression has now become a part and parcel of everyone’s life. There are many testing situations that comes across one’s life. Some can tackle it while some succumb to it, thus leading to nervous breakdown. Depression is a mental state that one suffers from. It is of many kinds. Atypical depression is one of the most common types of depression found in people.

All these things gradually lead to mental breakdown. There are other reasons also because of which depression is caused. However, there are certain physical conditions which contribute to the same. Depression can be of many types. One of the most common depression types is the Bipolar Depression which is faced by most of the people all over the world.

Characteristics of Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is also known as Bipolar Affective disorder. Precisely, it is defined as the frequent changes in mood in regular or sometimes in irregular intervals. Basically it is a psychiatric condition. People suffering from Bipolar Depression experience various mental states such as mania, hypomania etc. The mood also differs from time to time. As it is a recurring illness so it is quite obvious that the person, who’s affected, behaves in an elevated or depressive manner in different situations.

Bipolar depression has been classified into three types namely Bipolar I, Bipolar II-rapid cycling variant and cyclothymia. This disorder can start as early as from the adolescent period. However, it is necessary that the symptoms of the same have to be determined from the very beginning. It may be seen right from the young adulthood period. This depression works in various stages. Thus, the person has to be very careful so as to identify the problem from the very beginning and preventing it from aggravating further. However, some of the most common symptoms of bipolar depression are recurring illness along with distress and disruption and suicidal tendency. Psychological and social processes are the major factors behind the problem of bipolar depression.

Conclusion

Generally, bipolar depression is treated with the help of medications, therapies or counseling. Certain drugs which are known as mood stabilizers have proved effective in curing this disease. Neuroleptic medications and antidepressants are some of the other alternatives that one can rely on.



Thanks to Paul Hata for contributing this article to our Depression blog:

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Can you answer Tammers’s question about Depression?:

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, major depression and uncontrolable anxiety. I have had 4 jobs in less than a year and I keep losing them because I can’t handle the pressure of a work inviroment. I keep getting denied for disability even with the total suport of my shrink. I am at the end of my rope and I can’t cope anymore with the stress of work. anyone know what i could do to get help finacialy for my dissorders?

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Can you answer asdghjj’s question about Depression?:

Is there a natural approach to depression/bipolar aside from anti-depressants and mood stabilizers?

Something more natural perhaps.
I definitely don’t like the idea of having a “fake happiness”.

An answer from someone who has/does take anti-depressants or mood stabilizers, that would be ideal.

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Can you answer Karen S’s question about Depression?:

I want to ask my psychiatrist for an antidepressant, but don’t want to take one that will make me swing into a mania, or cause weight gain. I am leaning towards Fluoxetine (generic Prozac). Any educated suggestions from others who have Bipolar depression would be appreciated. My appointment with my psychiatrist is this Friday. Thanks in advance.

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