Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as manic
depression, is a brain disorder that causes shifts in a person’s
mood, energy, and ability to function. The symptoms of bipolar
disorder can result in damaged relationships,
difficulty in working or going to school, and even suicide.
There are generally periods of normal mood as well, but
left untreated, people with bipolar disorder continue to experience
these shifts in mood. The good news is that
bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness
can lead full and productive lives. |
| What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder? |
| Bipolar disorder can cause dramatic mood swings—from high and feeling on
top of the world, or uncomfortably irritable and ‘revved up’, to sad and hopeless, often with
periods of normal moods in between. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. |
| MANIC PHASE |
| • |
Sudden or extreme irritability or rage. While
mania is often portrayed as a pleasurable experience, that is
not the case for many people with bipolar disorder. |
| • |
Grandiose delusions. Individuals imagine that they have special
connections with God, celebrities, or political leaders. |
| • |
Invincibility or unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities.
The person feels that nothing can prevent him or her from accomplishing
any task. |
| • |
Excessively risky behavior. Reckless driving, outlandish spending
sprees, foolish business investments, or out-of character sexual
behavior. |
| • |
Uncontrollable racing thoughts/rapid speech. Ideas that abruptly
change from topic to topic expressed in loud, rapid speech that
becomes increasingly incoherent. |
| DEPRESSED PHASE |
| • |
Sleep difficulties. Either sleeping too much or not at all.
|
| • |
Changes in appetite. Either a noticeable increase in appetite
or a substantial weight loss unrelated to dieting. |
| • |
No interest in activities they once enjoyed and Loss of energy,
fatigue. |
| • |
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions and
Thoughts of death or suicide. |
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