The most prominent signs that a person with bipolar depression requires urgent care are: active and recurring suicidal thoughts, severe psychosis, or engaging in activities that cause danger to themselves or others.
So, if you or your loved one has mild bipolar disorder, you must always monitor the warning signs to get treatment on time.
How to Know if Bipolar Depression Requires Emergency Treatment?
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these warning signs of bipolar depression, you must hurry and give them medical care.
1. Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors
If someone with bipolar depression is talking about suicide, has a plan, or has access to means to harm themselves, this is a psychiatric emergency. Don't wait to see if things improve.
Watch for phrases like:
- "Everyone would be better off without me."
- "I can't do this anymore."
- "I just want the pain to stop."
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye to people
Even if you are unsure whether they're serious, always keep an eye out and be proactive in taking action.
2. Active Self-Harm Activities
Cutting, burning, or other forms of self-injury require urgent professional attention. While some self-harm may be a coping mechanism rather than a suicide attempt, it still shows severe bipolar depression symptoms and needs immediate intervention.
3. Complete Inability to Perform Daily Tasks
When depression becomes so severe that someone cannot eat, drink, get out of bed, or take care of basic hygiene for several days, it shows that the person needs urgent care.
At this stage, don’t give them medication without a prescription.
4. Psychotic Symptoms During Depression
Some people experiencing severe bipolar depression develop psychotic features, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) or delusions (fixed false beliefs). If someone is experiencing psychosis during a depressive episode, they need emergency care.
5. Causing Threats to Others
Actively take him to medical care if the person is suffering from bipolar depression and causing harm to others, such as violence and threatening behaviour.
6. Rapid Worsening of Symptoms
If someone's depression is noticeably getting worse each day, don't adopt a "wait and see" approach. For example, they have started sleeping 16 hours a day when they previously slept 10, which is a major sign that they need urgent medical care for depression.
Signs Hospitalization is Necessary in Bipolar Depression
There are some signs that show that bipolar depression is not manageable anymore, and now the patient needs to be admitted in the hospital.
- Your actions are not in your control anymore.
- You are too depressed to function.
- You are feeling extremely hopeless, sad, or feeling a heavy heart.
- Constantly low energy and sleeping too much.
- You are having hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions during depressive episodes.
- Outpatient therapy and medication aren't preventing dangerous deterioration.
- You are feeling a need for rapid medication adjustment.
Practical Steps for Support and Safety Planning for People With Bipolar Depression
The following are some practical strategies to support someone with bipolar depression.
Stay calm and present
Your anxiety will transfer to them. Speak in a calm, steady voice, even if you're worried inside.
Listen without judgment
Sometimes people just need to be heard. Avoid phrases like "just think positive" or "others have it worse." These minimize their pain and can increase feelings of guilt.
Offer concrete help to them
Depressed brains struggle to think clearly. Instead of "What can I do?" try asking them, "I'm going to bring you dinner tonight.” It will ease the decision-making.
Help maintain basic routines
Offer them help with daily chores like eating, cleaning, or even go to walk with them.
Medication information
Keep a current list of all medications, dosages, and the prescribing doctor. This is crucial if emergency services are needed.
Take Online Therapy For Bipolar Depression
Sometimes, it might be difficult to decide when bipolar depression requires urgent care. So, the best option is to always consult with the therapists near you and get necessary treatment when needed.
You can consult with the mental health experts at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates and get online therapy for depression and anxiety.