episode

episode /ep·i·sode/ (ep´ĭ-sōd) a noteworthy happening occurring in the course of a continuous series of events.

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hypomanic episode  a period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood resembling a manic episode but less severe.

major depressive episode  a period marked by depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in virtually all activities, associated with some combination of: altered weight, appetite, or sleep patterns, psychomotor agitation or retardation, difficulty in thinking or concentration, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death and suicide.

manic episode  a period of predominant mood elevation, expansiveness, or irritation together with some combination of inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need of sleep, talkativeness, flight of ideas, distractibility, hyperactivity, hypersexuality, and recklessness.

mixed episode  a period during which the symptoms of both a major depressive episode and of a manic episode occur nearly every day, with rapidly alternating moods.

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episode

[ep′isōd]

Etymology: Gk, episodion, coming in besides

an incident or event that stands out from the continuity of everyday life, such as an episode of illness or a traumatic event in the course of a child's development. episodic, adj.

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episode

a noteworthy happening occurring in the course of a continuous series of events.

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episode

Medtalk A period of time or duration of action or interaction. See Acute episode, Hypomanic episode, Major depressive episode, Mixed episode, Reflux episode.

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Patient discussion about episode.

Q. what is this and how it differs during episodes of mania and depression? I have heard of psychotic symptoms, what is this and how it differs during episodes of mania and depression?

A. I believe that psychosis is more common among people who have Bipolar 1. Psychosis develops in manias as Johnson said above, the person believes themselves to be someone, something they are not. They can believe themselves to be rich or invincable. I knew a gentleman once that was arrested at a car dealership because he believed that he had all the money in the world and was insisting that the dealership give him a Dodge Viper and refused to leave the showroom. When the day before he had spent both his and his partners entire paychecks on a bike (leaving no money for bills etc...) Sometime during that day he left the bike lying arund on the street somewhere because he said he had plenty of money and would just go and get another one.
In a depressive state psychosis can manifest in other ways such as believeing in all kinds of conspiracy theories, believing the world is ending... etc...
Essentially the difference between psychosis in mania and depression is that in mania the per

Q. how can these trigger his episodes and what exactly has happened to him? My son is a bipolar patient. We took him to the doctor as his manic episode has started again. This episode was a high one as compared to his previous episodes. Previous episodes used to get triggered due to his work related stress. He keeps himself in routine which makes his life comfortable. Recently he went on a vacation with his colleagues. Once he was back I found his condition was worse and soon his episodes started again. His regular medicines were not of any help. So I took him to the doctor. His medicines were not changed except a new one was added. Doctor had told to reduce on any stress as much as possible. Strictly he has been told to reduce on anything which triggers stress like coffee, tea, high sugar intake, on cigarettes as well. How can these trigger his episodes and what exactly has happened to him?

A. I am not sure how they trigger the manic episodes as I have not gone through any research indicating any clear reasons to me. But I am sure on the lines of personal experiences with my bipolar daughter that they do trigger her episodes. Especially when she is short of sleep her manic episodes starts. Medicines help her keep calm and to get good sleep. I feel that your son didn’t get the required amount of sleep due to his vacations or would have stressed himself on a high scale. His medicines were also not benefitting him…may be he could have missed on his medicines. Just take care of him and help him avoid all triggers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyr5IDAW6Hg&eurl=http://www.imedix.com/health_community/vLyr5IDAW6Hg_discover_nutritional_research_bipolar_disorder?q=manic%20disorder&feature=player_embedded

Q. my son who is risking his life by being a bipolar. could any of you brief me about this dangerous episode? Life with bipolar for my son is like a happy go unlucky situation. The manic episode he gets is very dangerous and could cause him a severe physical injury. He gets regular episodes without any gap. During episodes he jumps with happiness and he can also jump from his room`s balcony, which is on the second floor. Once he was hospitalized close to 2 months for this act. When he became well and was brought back to home, he tried again with that silly act due to his bipolar happiness and so we have shifted him to ground floor and no one knows what else is left to be seen. How can he make such a silly and risky act? We never saw these episodes before though he is diagnosed as bipolar 3 years back. This is really dangerous …..I tend to cry but also feel for my son who is risking his life by being a bipolar. Could any of you brief me about this dangerous episode?

A. Your son seems to be experiencing continued manic episodes. When someone who has bipolar disorder has a manic episode one of the symptoms is risk taking. he believes the he can not be harmed by his actions. Even if he was already harmed by doing the same thing before. In his mind he is untouchable. Is your son medicated? I would say to take him to the doctor ask for a referal to a psychiatrist and get him started on treatments. The best way you can help him is to ensure that he gets the professional help that he needs and to ensure he is diligent in taking his medications. If he is on medications already I would take him back to the doctor because they are not working. If he continues in a manic episode those risks could become more and more dangerous for him. With every risk he takes that doesnt hurt him or get him in trouble th more dangerous risks he will start taking. i wish you the best in this situation and the best way to help him is to get him professionals to help h