Artifacts

Main Topic: Mental Illness

Sub-Topic: Bipolar Disorder
3 Pieces: Poem, Article, Song

Poem:https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bipolarde
pression/#google_vignette

Article:
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/bipolar-
disorder/bipolar-disorder-signs-and-symptoms

Song:
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jimihendrix/manicd
epression.html
Poem – ‘Bipolar Depression’ by Mandy Howard
Many ask, if I'm high,
Many ask, if I'm low,
Many ask, why are you so happy?
And many ask, why are you so sad?

Many questions asked, and I don't answer,

Many don't ask questions, and I'm left to question myself,
Many ask, what's wrong with you?
And many ask, what's wrong?

Many seem confused, but I don't care,

Many don't care, and now I'm confused.

Many wonder,
Many care,
Many laugh,
As I breathe for air.

Many know me, and I couldn't care less,

Many don't know me, and now I couldn't care more.

For those who don't know me,

I'm full of ups and downs,
Twists and turns,
Lefts and rights,
Many roller coaster rides.

My energy goes up and down,

My brain twists and turns,
My mood swings from left to right,
And then from right to left,
And then once more just a couple more times,
It's like a never-ending pendulum.

I think of life as an emotional roller coaster ride,

That has no beginning,
And has no middle,
And most of all has no ending.

Confused much?
I would think so...
But do you understand...
...What it's like to live with Bipolar Depression? ...
Article – Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Types and Diagnosis
Do you have bipolar disorder? Is it bipolar I or bipolar II? Here’s how to recognize the signs and
symptoms of manic depression, including mania, hypomania, bipolar depression, and
cyclothymia.

What is bipolar disorder?

We all have our ups and downs, but with bipolar disorder (once known as manic depression or
manic-depressive disorder) these peaks and valleys are more severe. Bipolar disorder causes
serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behaviour—from the highs of mania on one
extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the
cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months.
The causes of bipolar disorder aren’t completely understood, but it often appears to be hereditary.
The first manic or depressive episode of bipolar disorder usually occurs in the teenage years or
early adulthood. Since bipolar disorder tends to worsen without treatment, it’s important to learn
what the symptoms look like. Recognizing the problem is the first step to feeling better and
getting your life back on track.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder

There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and
mixed episodes. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms.

Mania symptoms
You may also feel like you’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness. But while mania
feels good at first, it tends to spiral out of control. You may behave recklessly during a manic
episode: gambling away your savings, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making
foolish business investments, for example. You may also become angry, irritable, and
aggressive—picking fights, lashing out when others don’t go along with your plans, and blaming
anyone who criticizes your behavior. Some people even become delusional or start hearing
voices.
Common signs and symptoms of mania include:
→ Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable.
→ Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers.
→ Sleeping very little but feeling extremely energetic.
→ Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up.
→ Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next.
→ Highly distractible, unable to concentrate.
→ Impaired judgment and impulsiveness.
→ Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences.
→ Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases).

Hypomania symptoms
Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. In a hypomanic state, you’ll likely feel euphoric,
energetic, and productive, but will still be able to carry on with your day-to-day life without
losing touch with reality. To others, it may seem as if you’re merely in an unusually good mood.
However, hypomania can result in bad decisions that harm your relationships, career, and
reputation. In addition, hypomania often escalates to full blown mania or is followed by a major
depressive episode.

Bipolar depression symptoms

Despite many similarities, certain symptoms are more common in bipolar depression than in
regular depression. For example, bipolar depression is more likely to involve irritability, guilt,
unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness. With bipolar depression, you may move
and speak slowly, sleep a lot, and gain weight. In addition, you’re more likely to develop
psychotic depression—a condition in which you lose contact with reality—and to experience
major problems in work and social functioning.
Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:
→ Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty
→ Irritability
→ Inability to experience pleasure.
→ Fatigue or loss of energy
→ Physical and mental sluggishness
→ Appetite or weight changes
→ Sleep problems.
→ Concentration and memory problems
→ Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
→ Thoughts of death or suicide
 Symptoms of a mixed episode
A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania or hypomania and
depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include depression combined with agitation,
irritability, anxiety, insomnia, distractibility, and racing thoughts. This combination of high
energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

What is rapid cycling?

Some people with bipolar disorder develop “rapid cycling” where they experience four or more
episodes of mania or depression within a 12-month period. Mood swings can occur very quickly,
like a rollercoaster randomly moving from high to low and back again over days or even hours.
Rapid cycling can leave you feeling dangerously out of control and most commonly occurs if
your bipolar disorder symptoms are not being adequately treated.

Types of bipolar disorder

Since symptoms can vary so much from person to person, bipolar disorder is often broken down
into different types, identified by the pattern of mania and depression.

Bipolar I Disorder This is the classic manic-depressive form of the illness, characterized by at least
(mania or a mixed one manic episode or mixed episode. Usually—but not always—Bipolar I
episode) Disorder also involves at least one episode of depression.

Bipolar II Disorder In Bipolar II disorder, you don’t experience full-blown manic episodes. Instead,
(hypomania and the illness involves episodes of hypomania and severe depression.
depression)

Cyclothymia Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder that consists of cyclical mood
(hypomania swings. However, the symptoms are less severe than full-blown mania or
and mild depression.
depression)

Unspecified or If you experience symptoms that do not fit into another category, or they stem
other from another medical condition, such as substance abuse, your doctor may
types diagnose unspecified bipolar disorder.

Song –
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Lyrics

"Manic Depression"
Manic depression is searching my soul
I know what I want, but I just don't know
How to, go about getting it
Feeling, sweet feeling
Drops from my Fender's fingers
Manic depression is capturing my soul
Yeah

Woman so willing, the sweet cause in vain

You make love, you break love
It's all the same
When it's, when it's over, mama
Music, sweet music
I wish I could caress, caress, caress
Manic depression is a frustrating mess

Well, I think I'll go turn myself off and go on down

All the way down
Really ain't no use in me hanging around
In your kind of scene
Music, sweet music
I wish I could caress, and kiss, kiss
Manic depression is a frustrating mess