How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is also commonly known as manic depression or manic-depressive disorder. It is a long-term mental disorder that causes people to cycle between different moods and energy levels.
These shifts in mood tend to range from feelings of being extremely happy and elated with a lot of energy and feelings of being down and depressed. These are known as manic episodes and depressive episodes respectively.
Hypomania is a period of feeling "up" that is less extreme than standard manic episodes.
Contents of this article:
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Types of bipolar disorder
Diagnosis of bipolar disorder
Treatment for bipolar disorder
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition with mood swings between extreme joy and depression. Mania isn't just feeling happy. Symptoms of true mania include:
Having a lot of energy
Difficulty sleeping
Increase in risky behaviors, like reckless sex or spending lots of money
Rapid speech
Being very agitated
Feeling jumpy
It's important to know that a person in a manic state isn't aware of their unusual behavior. They may not realize that they are acting inappropriately, or be aware of the potential consequences of their behavior. They may need help in getting help and staying safe.
A less severe manic episode is known as hypomania. Symptoms of hypomania are similar to mania, but the person may be able to function well in their daily life.
If signs of hypomania aren't addressed, it can progress into a more severe form of the condition.
Signs of a depressive episode are the same as the symptoms of depression. They may include:
Feeling down or sad
Having very little energy
Trouble sleeping or sleeping a lot more than usual
Thoughts of death or suicide
Forgetfulness
Tiredness
Lack of enjoyment in daily activities