Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a disease a serious disorder of the brain; with abnormalities of brain chemistry causing extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. It is a medical condition that causes medical problems to such a degree that daily functioning is hampered by the symptoms. The most prominent symptoms of bipolar include extremes of mood known as manic depression or depression and mania. Each phase has its own distinctive set of symptoms which characterizes it.

Symptoms of Bipolar – Depression

The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is very similar to that of major depression. However there are some notable differences. When compared to major depression. Bipolar depression is more likely to include symptoms of low energy. People with bipolar depression tend to speak more slowly and sleep a lot. They are also more likely to have psychotic depression, a condition which they have lost contact with reality.

Some common bipolar disorder symptoms of depression include:

• loss of energy
• prolonged sadness
• decreased activity and energy
• restlessness and irritability
• inability to concentrate and make decisions
• increased feeling of worry and anxiety
• less interest or participation in, and less enjoyment of activities normally enjoyed
• feelings of guilt and hopelessness
• thoughts of suicide
• change in appetite (either eating more or eating less)
• change in sleep patterns (either sleeping more or sleeping less)

Bipolar Symptoms – Bipolar Mania

While people with bipolar mania may feel good at first, they have a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode – gambling away savings, inappropriate sexual activity or making foolish business investments. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive, picking fights, lashing out when others do not go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticize their behavior.

• Common signs and symptoms include:
• either an elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry, and unpleasant mood
• increased physical and mental activity and energy
• racing thoughts and flights of ideas
• increased talking, more rapid speech than normal
• ambitious and grandiose plan
• risk taking
• impulsive activity such as spending sprees, sexual in indiscretion, and alcohol abuse
• decreased sleep without experiencing fatigue
• Hippomania Symptoms

Some people can experience hypomania alone, without experiencing depression. People with this form have increased energy and tend to become more active than usual. They do not, however, have delusions or hallucinations. They do not lose touch with reality in the sense they know who they are and what is real. What can be the problem, however, is that they tend to overestimate either their capabilities or fail to see the obvious risks involved in their ventures. Other signs of hippomania symptoms are as follows:

• inflated self esteem and grandiosity
• increased alcohol consumption
• making lots of plans
• excessive involvement in pleasurable activities
• increased interest in uncharacteristic sexual flirting
• wishing to do several things at one time
• increased need for sleep
• more sensitive than usual
• feel like taking too many responsibilities
• increase in goal- directed activities

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms of Mixed Episodes

A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include agitation, irritability, insomnia, appetite changes, loss of contact with reality, and suicidal thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Getting Help

Usually the illness appears suddenly (usually participated by life stresses), although onset may be gradual. Episodes of mania, which can last from days to weeks or months, are generally briefer than episodes of depression. It typically emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, but may begin in childhood. Bipolar disorder most often manifests itself between the ages of 15 – 24, with 90% of cases diagnosed by the age of 30.

The person, family or friend affected by bipolar manic depression or need to watch for these symptoms and either seek treatment or urge their family member or friend to do so. Support groups, psychiatric therapy and various prescription medications can all help the individual afflicted with bipolar depression to alleviate their symptoms and lead a normal life again.