Bipolar disorder is an illness that consists of alternating periods of elevated moods, called manic episodes, and depression. Mood swings run on a spectrum from mild mania (called hypomania) to more severe, debilitating highs. Periods of mania can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months before depression returns.
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People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called “mood episodes.” An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state. People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.
Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep and behavior go along with these changes in mood. It is possible for someone with bipolar disorder to experience a long-lasting period of unstable moods rather than discrete episodes of depression or mania.
A person may be having an episode of bipolar disorder if he or she has a number of manic or depressive symptoms for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one or two weeks. Sometimes symptoms are so severe that the person cannot function normally at work, school, or home.
Symptoms of the bipolar affective disorder are described below:
Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include
Mood Changes:
A long period of feeling “high,” or an overly happy or outgoing mood. Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling “jumpy” or “wired.
Behavioral Changes:
Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts
Being easily distracted
Increasing goal-directed activities, such as taking on new projects
Being restless
Sleeping little
Having an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities
Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable,
high-risk behaviors, such as spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investments
Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
Mood Changes-
A long period of feeling worried or empty
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.
Behavioral Changes:
Feeling tired or “slowed down”
Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
Being restless or irritable
Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
Thinking of death or suicide, or attempting suicide
Causes of Depression:
About the causes of depression: environment vs. genetics; secondary to other illness; viral; how brain chemistry controls mood.
Chronic Pain and Illness
Genetics
Thyroid Disease
Brain Chemistry Imbalance
Female Hormonal Imbalance
Grief and Loss
Diet and Nutrition
Drugs That Cause Depression
