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What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.
Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers.
Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. People who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing mood shifts. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. These mood shifts disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes. The shifts may be mild ranging from sadness to irritability or restlessness.
Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
~ Increased physical and mental activity and energy
~ Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
~ Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
~ Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
~ Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
~ Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
~ Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
~ Reckless behavior
~ In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
~ Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
~ Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
~ Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
~ Pessimism, indifference
~ Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
~ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
~ Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
~ Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
~ Unexplained aches and pains
~ Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you think you may have symptoms of bipolar disorder, please consider seeking help with a qualified mental health provider.
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.
Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers.
Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. People who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing mood shifts. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. These mood shifts disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes. The shifts may be mild ranging from sadness to irritability or restlessness.
Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
~ Increased physical and mental activity and energy
~ Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
~ Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
~ Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
~ Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
~ Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
~ Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
~ Reckless behavior
~ In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
~ Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
~ Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
~ Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
~ Pessimism, indifference
~ Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
~ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
~ Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
~ Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
~ Unexplained aches and pains
~ Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
If you think you may have symptoms of bipolar disorder, please consider seeking help with a qualified mental health provider.
Disclaimer: The contents of this site and all the pages herein are intended for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice at any time. None of the information in this site is intended to be taken as medical direction or advice, therapeutic, legal, or otherwise. This is not a replacement for professional services. At no time does use of this site nor communication through this site constitute a therapeutic relationship between the user and therapist. Keri M. Zwerner, MA, LMFT and LifeHealingHeart assume no liability for the content of this site or damages that may result from use, reference to, reliance on, or decisions resulting from its use. Use of this site establishes your consent to the provisions of this disclaimer. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved
