Red Flags I - Mania Warning Signs
For the full text, go here.
Increased Energy
- Decreased Sleep
- Little Fatigue
- An Increase in Activities
- Restlessness
Speech Disruptions
- Rapid, Pressured Speech
- Incoherent Speech (generally not present in hypomania)
- Clang Associations: the association of words based on their sound
(For example, my ex-husband once carried on for some time about vacancies, vagrancies and bacon seeds.)
Impaired Judgment
- Lack of Insight
- Inappropriate Humor
- Inappropriate Behaviors
- Impulsive Behaviors
- Financial Extravagance
- Grandiose Thinking
Increased or Decreased Sexuality
-May include inappropriate or sexual behavior
Changes in Thought Patterns
- Distractibility
- Creative Thinking
- Flight of Ideas
- Disorientation
- Disjointed Thinking
- Racing Thoughts
Changes in Mood
- Irritability
- Excitability
- Hostility
- Feelings of Exhilaration
Changes in Perceptions
- Inflated Self-Esteem
- Hallucinations (not present in hypomania)
- Delusions (not present in hypomania)
- Paranoia (generally not severe in hypomania),br>
- Increased Religious Activities
Red Flags II - Warning Signs of Depressive Episodes
For the full text, go here.
Changes In Activity
- Decreased Energy
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Diminished Activity
- Insomnia or Hypersomnia
- Loss of Interest in Pleasurable Activities
- Social Withdrawal
Physical Changes
- Unexplained Aches and Pains
- Weight Loss or Gain
- Decreased or Increased Appetite,br>
- Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation
Emotional Pain
- Prolonged Sadness
- Unexplained, Uncontrollable Crying
- Feelings of Guilt
- Feelings of Worthlessness
- Loss of Self-Esteem
- Despair
- Hopelessness
- Helplessness
Difficult Moods
- Irritability
- Anger
- Worry/Anxiety
- Pessimism
- Indifference
- Self-Critical
Changes in Thought Patterns
- Inability to Concentrate
- Indecision
- Problems with Memory
- Disorganized
Preoccupation with Death
- Thoughts of Death
- Suicidal Ideation
- Feeling Dead or Detached
Red Flags III - Warning Signs of Suicide
For the full text, go here.
Situational Indicators
- Loss of a Relationship Via Rejection or Separation
- Death of a Loved One
- Diagnosis of a Terminal Illness
- Loss of Financial Security
- A Change in Physical Appearance
- Loss of Employment/A New Job
- Loss of Self Esteem
- Abuse
Emotional Indicators
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Helplessness
A Sudden Lift Of Depression!
It is a well-known fact that as a person begins to climb from depression the possibility of a suicide attempt increases. There are two thoughts as to why this happens. The first is that when a person makes up her mind to take her own life, she becomes at peace with the situation. She feels more in control and thus the depression begins to lighten. The second idea is that as lethargy lifts, a person finds the energy to carry out suicidal plans he made while incapacitated. Regardless of the reason, however, this is a very critical time.
Behavioral Indicators
- Acquiring a Weapon
- Hoarding Medication
- Putting Affairs in Order
- Making or Changing a Will
- Increased Interest in Suicide
- Giving Away Personal Belongings
- Mending Grievances
- Checking on Insurance Policy
- Withdrawing from People
Verbal Indicators
- Straightforward Comments:
. . . "I wish I were dead"
. . . "I wish I had the nerve to kill myself."
. . . "I wish I could die in my sleep."
. . . "If it weren't for my kids, my husband ... I would commit suicide."
- Hints:
. . . "I hate life."
. . . "Why do I bother?"
. . . "I can't take it anymore."
. . . "Nothing matters anymore."
There is also a Red Flags IV - Symptoms of Bipolar Children, which isn't on here because it doesn't apply to me.
