What Are The Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder?

Exploring the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The very first step in dealing with bipolar disorder and those that have it is to get a good understanding of the symptoms. There are four different type of mood episodes, each with their own unique symptoms.

Mania

• Person feels all-powerful. May have hallucinations or delusions of grandeur.


• Euphoria - feels excessively optimistic, on top of the world.
  


• Extremely irritable - angry with aggressive or provocative actions.
  


• Restless - unable to concentrate, easily distracted.
  


• Unusually talkative - talks fast, feels a need to keep talking.
  


• Less need for sleep - goes for days on very little or no sleep.
  


• High risk behavior - pleasure seeking, involvement in high risk actions like sex, drugs, gambling, etc.
  


• Extremely energetic - feelings of creativity and increased productiveness.
  


• Aggressive behavior - rudeness, causes trouble.
  


• Poor judgment - reckless, impulsive, no idea of abnormal behavior.

Hypomania

• Milder form of mania - less severe, not as difficult to function normally.
  


• Euphoria - feels productive and energetic.
  


• Can do day-t0-day activities - no delusions or hallucinations.
  


• Very agreeable - may seem to be in an usually good mood.
  


• Often turns spirals into a full-blown manic episode, followed by major depression.

Depression

• Fatigue - loss of energy, may move and speak slowly.
  


• Depressed - hopeless, sad, feels empty.
  


• Loses interest in previous pleasurable activities - sex, hobbies, social activities.
  


• Restless - unable to sit still, nervousness.
  


• Change in sleep pattern - oversleeps or has insomnia.
  


• Weight and appetite changes - may have significant weight gain or loss.
  


• Problems with memory - can't concentrate, difficulty making decisions.
  


• Feelings of worthlessness - very critical and hard on themself, dislikes self.

Mixed Episodes (Mania and Depression)

• Full blown symptoms of both mania and depression.
  


• May alternate between the two extremes or suffer affects of both at the same time.
  


• Mixes irritability and the low moods of depression with the agitation of mania.
  


• Combination of high energy mixed with depression make suicide a high risk.