Observation: BiPolar

Observation: Bi-Polar

Signs:

Bipolar Mania

  • High energy and excessive activity
  • Overly good mood
  • Irritability or impatience
  • Fast, erratic talking
  • Racing thoughts
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Little need for sleep
  • Feelings of power
  • Poor judgment
  • Reckless spending
  • High sex drive
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Aggression
  • Refusal to admit that there is a problem

Bipolar Depression

  • Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness
  • Hopelessness
  • Feelings of guilt, feeling worthless, or feeling helpless
  • Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, such as sex
  • Low energy
  • Trouble with concentration or memory
  • Restlessness or irritability
  • Excessive sleeping or insomnia
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Pain or other physical symptoms not explained by an illness or injury
  • Thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or attempts

Techniques/Tips (Mania)

  • Creating a solid support system/person
  • Developing your own roadblocks or limitations to prevent your compulsions (i.e. before making a $100 -$500 purchase checking in with your support person to gain a second opinion)
  • (Irritability) Effectively communicating with your team about how your feeling at the start of the day, (i.e. “I’m feeling a little manic today, I’m sorry if I say some things that I don’t mean today”) and giving sincere apologies when necessary.
  • (information/stimulus overload) Remove the individual from the situation by asking them to join you for a walk, or asking them to join you for a cup of coffee/drink in a separate room. It’s important not to call the individual out as it breaks confidentiality and might cause them to feel as though they are different and not able to work as effectively as other team members.

Techniques/Tips (Depression)

  • Keeping healthy sleep patterns in check by using a sleep aid or antihistamine when not able to fall asleep at a “reasonable” hour. 
  • Exercise, self care, light therapy lamps at your desk
  • Carefully censoring or filtering the content (i.e. depressing news, horror films) intake

Warnings!

  • If you’ve met one person with BiPolar then you’ve met one person with BiPolar! Cases are individual.
  • If episodes are extreme, don’t try and be a professional doctor. Know when to step away.
  • Large crocodiles!