Bipolar Disorder also known as Manic Depression; is a mood disorder characterized by extreme mood states ranging from intense euphoria (mania) to severe depression.
The most common symptoms of manic episodes are: Feeling very happy, having lots of energy, having racing thoughts, talking very quickly and being easily distracted, becoming easily irritated or agitated. Feeling self important, exaggerated confidence, having lots of seemingly brilliant ideas, being creative and making extravagant plans. Finding it hard to sleep and decreased need to sleep. Loss of appetite or forgetting to eat. Making rash decisions, doing or saying things that are out of character. Acting with no regard to consequence, risky or dangerous behaviour. Heightened sex drive or being promiscuous. Having hallucinations, disturbed or illogical thinking and becoming delusional.
The most common symptoms of depressive episodes are: Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, worthless or pessimistic. Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy. Feeling tired and lethargic, difficulty sleeping and sleeping too much. Lack of appetite or over-eating. Difficulty remembering things and concentrating. Lack of self esteem, self-doubt and self neglect. Feelings of guilt and despair, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or ideation.
There are several types of Bipolar, but ALL of them have episodes of mania or hypomania as well as depression. Hypomania is a lesser form of mania where you don’t experience the psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions; you just have a very elevated mood and some or all of the other symptoms such as feeling energetic or more confident. There is also Cyclothymic Disorder which essentially hypomania with less severe and shorter depressive episodes. Mixed State Bipolar where you have both moods at the same time and Rapid Cycling Bipolar where you have 4 or more episodes a year.
The most common symptoms of depressive episodes are: Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, worthless or pessimistic. Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy. Feeling tired and lethargic, difficulty sleeping and sleeping too much. Lack of appetite or over-eating. Difficulty remembering things and concentrating. Lack of self esteem, self-doubt and self neglect. Feelings of guilt and despair, self-harm, suicidal thoughts or ideation.
There are several types of Bipolar, but ALL of them have episodes of mania or hypomania as well as depression. Hypomania is a lesser form of mania where you don’t experience the psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions; you just have a very elevated mood and some or all of the other symptoms such as feeling energetic or more confident. There is also Cyclothymic Disorder which essentially hypomania with less severe and shorter depressive episodes. Mixed State Bipolar where you have both moods at the same time and Rapid Cycling Bipolar where you have 4 or more episodes a year.