What Is "Emotional Imbalance"?

An emotional imbalance is when a person tends to be unable to cope with life. It can be caused by stress, feelings of negativity, and rejection, as well as more extreme problems of depression and bipolar disorder.

• Depression

Depression is a very serious illness, causing an individual to suffer from bouts of extended sadness. This can be so severe that it begins to interfere with your everyday life and relationships with friends and family.

10% of people will experience depression at some point in their lives, with females being more likely to suffer than men, although statistics suggest more men are likely to commit suicide when depressed. This may be because men are less likely to seek medical advice.

With the right treatment, advice and support, most people will make a full recovery from depression, so it is always important to seek help from your GP.

• Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is characterized by an individual who can violently swing from one extreme mood to another. They have episodes of feeling both mania (high and happy) and depression (feeling intensely low).

Individuals with bipolar suffer with one period or another for weeks or even longer. This condition may interfere with everyday life.

During a depressive period a person will be stuck with an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness, and often has suicidal thoughts. Conversely in the manic period a sufferer will feel very happy, and often be creative and outgoing.

Talking quickly, having no or a little attention span and insomnia are also symptoms of mania.

Around 1 in 100 people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder and though it can develop at any age, it commonly surfaces between the ages of 18-24.