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- Trying hard to keep the manic energy in check. Folks living with bipolar disorder can experience intense changes in mood, energy, and activity levels that can range from “up” periods of energetic agitation (mania) to “down” periods of hopelessness or low mood.
- Sometimes it’s easier to pretend everything’s alright. Most of us have hidden behind a smile at some point. For those with bipolar disorder, pretending everything’s OK even when it’s not is one way of coping.
- Simply saying, “I’m sick” to excuse myself. “I say ‘I am not feeling well’ and just let the person on the other end of the line assume it’s a physical illness,” Howard says.
- Altogether fidgety? It’s actually a symptom of bipolar disorder. Up to 15% of people living with bipolar disorder may experience a period of psychomotor agitation each year.
Sep 24, 2024 · feelings of worthlessness or guilt. increased or decreased appetite. increased or decreased sleep. slowed speech. thoughts of death or suicide. tiredness. trouble concentrating. Mania. A manic episode is a period of abnormally high energy or mood, or irritability, that lasts for at least one week, disrupts your daily life, and is obvious to ...
- hhp_info@health.harvard.edu
Bipolar patients have commonly reported increased activity, decreased need for sleep, and elevated mood as early warning signs of mania, and depressed mood, loss of energy, loss of interest in people or activities, impaired concentration, and thoughts of death as early warning signs for depression. Although there are some differences in the ...
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Mar 13, 2024 · People with bipolar disorder often have mood swings that can be both high and low. When you show these classic mood patterns, diagnosing bipolar disorder is relatively straightforward. But bipolar ...
- Overview
- What’s bipolar disorder?
- Bipolar disorder symptoms
- Common signs of bipolar disorder
- What bipolar disorder feels like
- Talk with your doctor
- Summary
Bipolar disorder is marked by mood highs and lows. However, the condition can be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms vary, and can often be caused by other conditions
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves significantly high and low moods. Highs are periods of mania or hypomania, while lows are periods of depression. The changes in mood may also become mixed, so you might feel elated and depressed at the same time.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that around 4.4% of adults in the United States experience bipolar disorder at some time. The symptoms usually appear between the ages of 18 to 29 years, but they can occur at any age, including childhood and the teenage years.
Types and symptoms
There are four common types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I and II are the most common types.
Cyclothymic disorder
Cyclothymic disorder involves changes in mood and shifts similar to bipolar I and II, but the shifts may be less dramatic. A person with cyclothymic disorder will have had symptoms of hypomania and episodes of depression for at least 2 years, or 1 year for children and teens.
Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified
Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified is a general category for a person who only has symptoms of bipolar disorder that don’t match the three other categories. The symptoms are not enough to make a diagnosis of one of the other three types.
10 signs of mania
Mania can cause other symptoms as well, but 10 of the key signs of this phase of bipolar disorder are: •feeling overly happy or “high” for long periods of time •feeling jumpy or “wired” •having a reduced need for sleep •talking very fast, often with racing thoughts and rapid changes of topic •feeling extremely restless or impulsive •becoming easily distracted •feelings of grandiosity, which is when you feel you’re very important or have important connections •feeling as if you can do anything •engaging in risky behavior, like having impulsive sex, gambling with life savings, or going on big spending sprees •having a low appetite
10 signs of depression
Like mania, depression can cause other symptoms as well, but here are 10 of the key signs of depression from bipolar disorder: •feeling sad or hopeless for long periods of time •withdrawing from friends and family •losing interest in activities that you once enjoyed •having a significant change in appetite •feeling severe fatigue or lack of energy •feeling slowed down and unable to carry out simple tasks •talking slowly •sleeping too much or too little •having problems with memory, concentration, and decision making •thinking about death or suicide or attempting suicide An extremely high or low mood can sometimes involve hallucinations or delusions, known as psychosis. During a manic period the person may have delusions of grandeur. For example, they may believe they’re very important or have special powers. A person with depressive psychosis might believe they’ve committed a crime or are financially ruined. The person may also see, hear, or smell things that are not there.
Substance use
Substance use disorder involves the use of substances like drugs or alcohol in a way that’s harmful for the person’s mental and physical health. Studies suggest that substance use disorder may be three to six times higher among people with bipolar disorder than in the general population. Having bipolar disorder alongside a substance use disorder can make it harder to treat either condition. It can also affect the outcome of each disorder. People with both disorders are more likely to have a lower quality of life, a less stable progression through treatment, and are more likely to consider suicide. Having a substance use disorder can also make it harder to get an accurate diagnosis. A doctor may have difficulty identifying which symptoms are due to bipolar disorder and which stem from substance use. Learn about the link between bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder.
“I have found my bipolar disorder to be exhilarating, dark, and painful. I found that one of the benefits of this disorder was the creativity, energy, and euphoria that came with the mania. For the longest time, I didn’t realize that this was mania.”
— Melissa Was this helpful? Bipolar disorder can affect many different aspects of day-to-day life, including energy levels and sleep.
“It can be difficult to physically move. I tend to sleep 10, or even 12 hours a day.”
— Erin Was this helpful? Intense feelings — from feeling like you can do anything to feeling hopeless — are among the most common experiences shared by many people living with bipolar disorder.
“Everyone’s self-esteem fluctuates somewhat. But [with bipolar disorder] you are feeling on top of the world, like you can do no wrong and are the ‘best’ at everything one minute, and completely hopeless and self-flagellating the next.”
— Sue Was this helpful?
If you think that you or a loved one has signs or symptoms of bipolar disorder, your first step should be to talk with your doctor. Only a trained medical professional can diagnose this disorder, and diagnosis is key to getting proper treatment.
Medication, therapy, or other treatment options can help you or your loved one manage symptoms and maximize quality of life.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that involves high and low moods. There are different types of bipolar disorder. Depending on the type, signs and symptoms can range from mania to depression.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be similar to those of other conditions, including depression, substance use disorder, or ADHD. Getting a correct diagnosis can be challenging but is essential for getting the right treatment.
Mar 24, 2023 · A manic episode is when a person with bipolar disorder feels unusually elated, energetic, or irritable for at least one week, commonly leading to hospitalization, according to the American ...
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Aug 14, 2024 · Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania. When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most ...
