Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings – from extremely ‘high’ and/or irritable moods (mania) - to feelings of sadness and hopelessness (depression), and then back again. There may be periods of normal mood in between.
Symptoms of mania
The signs and symptoms of mania include:
- increased energy and activity
- excessively "high", overly good, euphoric mood
- extreme irritability
- talking very fast, racing thoughts and jumping from one idea to another
- little sleep needed
- unrealistic beliefs in your own abilities and powers
- poor judgment
- a lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual
- increased sexual drive
- misuse of drugs & stimulants
- provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour
- denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated or irritable mood occurs with three or more of the other mania symptoms for a significant period of time.
The signs and symptoms of depression include:
- lasting depressed, anxious, or empty mood
- feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
- difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- sleeping too much, or can't sleep
- change in appetite
- chronic pain or other persisting bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
- thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
A depressive episode is diagnosed if depressed mood” and a “loss of interest in everyday activities” occur with three or more of the above symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer.
Psychosis
Sometimes severe episodes of mania or depression include psychotic symptoms. Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations and delusions.
Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time.
Hypomania
Hypomania is a mild to moderate level of mania which may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and increased productivity.
As a result, even when family and friends learn to recognise the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong.
