Mixed Features Episodes
When a person is undergoing an episode of mania or depression, the term “mixed features” refers to the coexistence of high and low symptoms that happen concurrently or as part of a single episode. A person with mixed characteristics experiences the signs of both mood “poles” – mania and depression simultaneously or quickly, one after the other.
In addition to that, those who experience the onset of bipolar disorder earlier in life, particularly around adolescence, may be more prone to experience mixed episodes. Anger, great energy, hurried speech, and ideas, as well as impulsive behavior or agitation, are typical characteristics of mixed-feature mania.
A person with mixed-features feels depressed, too, as the symptoms of regular depression include feeling lonely, suicidal thoughts, energy guilt, and lack of interest in things.
Mixed features may last from days to weeks or even months if left untreated. Resulting in someone’s longer recovery period than pure depression or mania. Treatment for people having mixed-feature needs medication. There are two main drugs that help treat these episodes – stabilizers and antipsychotics.
