Bipolar Disorder
Early Warning Signs of Bipolar Disorder
NFTs are stressful. Take steps to prevent a full-blown episode of depression and mania
NFT projects are constantly on the rise, and along the way, you may come across many stories about quick success and high earnings. But this also means you have to put your all into making your projects or art profile work. This includes working tirelessly in producing artwork and being persistent on social media and Twitter spaces/discord. These unrealistic expectations to be constantly present in the NFT space often have consequences such as anxiety, depression, frustration, burnout, digital addiction, insomnia, and unhealthy coping strategies.
For those who rely on NFT earnings to support their life spending and necessities, this fast pace world can consume them fast. NFT world can affect people in various ways. Some get anxious and demotivated because they compare themselves with other creators in terms of artwork or earnings, some get affected due to lack of rest/sleep, and some may be juggling a few works simultaneously. Thus, we must identify the early warning signs of depression and bipolar disorder.
How do we know that a storm is about to break? Most of the time, we hear thunder in the distance, the skies are dark & grey with rain clouds, & it becomes very windy.
If we do not want to be caught with the storm's worst effects, we would probably go back to our homes, close all the windows, and secure any loose items outside the house.
Similarly, if bipolar patients become more aware of their early warning signs, they can take steps to prevent a full-blown episode of depression and mania.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition defined by extreme emotional highs (mania) and lows(depression). Dangerous behavior changes accompany these highs and lows.
Early detection of an impending storm in bipolar disorder, be it an episode of mania or depression, can enable you to intervene early and prevent a mood episode.
In order to be able to detect an oncoming episode, you must learn to recognize your early warning signs and symptoms.
Everyone has unique signs and symptoms, but generally, it revolves around the same group of signs and symptoms.
Early warning signs are thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that act as red flags signaling an upcoming relapse. Recognizing early warning signs allows a person to seek help before symptoms get out of control.
Common warning signs: Mania
Mania is characterized by a feeling of high energy, pressure, anxiety, and intensity. Someone experiencing mania may seem very active and more likely to engage in risky behaviors.
- Feeling more energetic (uncontrollable excitement)
- Feeling “high” or “in another world”
- Easily distracted
- Easily irritated
- Suddenly feeling creative
- More talkative (very hard to interrupt your speech)
- Ideas flow quickly
- Spending money freely/recklessly
- Decreased need for sleep
- Feeling especially strong/powerful
- Increased sex drive
- Increased sociability/familiarity (over friendly)
- Decreased concentration or attention
- Very aggressive/violent
- May express intention to self-harm or harm others
Common warning signs: Depression
Depression is characterized by feeling sad, slowed down, or low on energy. Someone experiencing depression may lose interest in things they previously enjoyed and withdraw from everyday life activities.
- Sadness
- Less talkative
- Excessive worrying
- Less interested in people/activities
- Social isolation
- Restlessness
- Less energetic- increased fatiguability
- Decreased sex drive
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling anxious
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Sleep disturbance (too much/too little/disrupted)
- Loss of interest/excitement
- Ideas of guilt/unworthiness
- Very pessimistic view of the future
- Ideas of self-harm/suicide
- Decreased self-esteem/confidence
- Lack of emotional reactivity
“Recognizing early warning signs allows a person to seek help before symptoms get out of control.”
Understanding your relapse warning signs is essential in reducing the severity of future mood episodes. Knowing about an episode before it takes full control will give an opportunity to seek professional help, take practical safety measures, and avoid high-risk situations.
If you notice something off in the behavior of loved ones, family, friends, or co-workers, they could be just going through a rough time. Maybe it’s an accumulation of stress or a problem they're wrestling with.
However, repeated and multiple signs that manifest that are associated with bipolar disorder may be cause for concern.
The next step is to develop an action plan that details what you will do when you recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of a major depressive or manic episode. It is essential to know what to do when the time comes.
Plan what you will do, what you will say, what you will ask your friends and family to do for you.
Detail your early intervention plans carefully and keep them on your desk, phone wallpaper, or on the refrigerator, somewhere easily accessible or visible — so that you can refer to them when needed.
“It is important to be prepared so that when the time comes, you will know what to do.”
Avoid Self-Diagnosis!
The tendency to figure out if you have bipolar disorder is not unusual, especially if you’ve spotted what you believe are signs in yourself.
Diagnosing yourself is likely to cause you unnecessary worry/mask your actual mental state.
Your best option is to see a mental health professional that can conduct appropriate tests and determine whether you have bipolar disorder, another mental health disorder, no mental health disorder, or perhaps symptoms resulting from substance misuse.
If you feel that you’re being consumed by the fast pace of the NFT world and it has negative consequences on your health or well-being, please reach out to professionals.
