Symptoms of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings - from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behaviour go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Symptoms of psychosis may also be experienced.

Symptoms of mania

Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
excessively "high", euphoric mood
extreme irritability
racing thoughts &, talking very fast, jumping between ideas
unrealistic beliefs in abilities and powers
little sleep needed
poor judgement
distractibility & and bad concentration
lasting changes in behaviour that is different from usual such as provocative or aggressive behaviour
abuse of drugs (cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications)
denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day for one week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and increased productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognise the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

Symptoms of depression

Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood and feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
restlessness or irritability
chronic pain or persisting bodily symptoms that are not caused by illness or injury
loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed such as sex or a hobby
sleeping too much or too little
change in appetite leading to weight loss or gain
feelings of worthlessness, helplessness
thoughts of death/suicide, suicide attempts
decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five of more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer.

In some people, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in what is called a mixed bipolar state. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely energized.

Symptoms of psychosis

Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include psychotic symptoms. Common psychotic symptoms are

hallucinations - hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there &
delusions - strongly held beliefs not based on logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts

Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing you are the Prime Minister or have special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that you are ruined and penniless or have committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia.