Have you been Diagnosed with Depression?
Early signs of relapse


"I used to come up with lots of grand ideas. I was one of those people that could see lots of loose threads and I thought that if I could just join all these threads together I could actually make things happen. I was always a great believer that if I could just pull all these threads together, I could somehow or other make that million dollars which was going to solve all my problems."

Doug Holmes

Researcher and Consumer Activist

As Bipolar Disorder is a biological condition, often with a strong genetic component, long-term preventative treatment is useful.

However, people with Bipolar Disorder and their families can sometimes find it hard to accept the diagnosis. Some people with Bipolar Disorder fail to continue medication because of side-effects and some because the experience of mania is too appealing.

Side effects are varied from individual to individual but can usually be managed. It is VITAL to talk with a health professional before adjusting the dose or stopping any medication.

If you think you might be having a manic or depressive episode, it is important to try and not make any major life decisions as your judgment may be affected. Speak with your health care professional and ensure that you have controlled your episode before thinking about any major life changes – such as resigning from a job or making expensive purchases.

Early warning signs


Depression1
Some early warning signs of a depressed episode may be:

  • depressed mood
  • difficulty coping
  • sleep disturbance (having trouble getting to sleep and waking up early)
  • losing or gaining a lot of weight
  • poor appetite
  • lack of energy
  • feeling tired all the time
  • worrying excessively and feeling overwhelmed
  • drinking more or misusing drugs
  • physical health may get worse
  • suicidal thoughts
  • poor concentration and memory

Mania2
Some early warning signs of a manic episode may be:

  • sleep disturbance (needing less sleep)
  • having more energy than usual
  • poor judgment
  • spending too much money
  • irritability
  • talking too much and too fast
  • feeling really good
  • having lots of new and exciting ideas
  • making rapid decisions without thinking about them
  • making lots of changes or plans
  • phoning others late at night

1,2Jillian R Ball,BA,MA (ClinPsych),PhD,Conjoint Senior Lecturer;and Research Psychologist, Black Dog Institute,Prince of Wales Hospital,Sydney.

Sources: SANE Australia 2003 Access Economics Report; Black Dog Institute Fact Sheet FS07.01.