A Guide to Mental Disorders

Bipolar Disorder ☆

Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. These shifts can make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks.

There are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely "up," elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very "down," sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
- Bipolar I disorder is defined by manic episodes that last for at least 7 days (nearly every day for most of the day) or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate medical care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible. Experiencing four or more episodes of mania or depression within 1 year is called "rapid cycling."
- Bipolar II disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. The hypomanic episodes are less severe than the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder.
- Cyclothymic disorder (also called cyclothymia) is defined by recurring hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.

Sometimes a person might experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not match the three categories listed above, and this is referred to as "other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders."

Bipolar disorder is often diagnosed during late adolescence (teen years) or early adulthood. Sometimes, bipolar symptoms can appear in children. Although the symptoms may vary over time, bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment. Following a prescribed treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

What are the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder?
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and engage in behaviors that are out of character for them—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects. These distinct periods are called mood episodes. Mood episodes are very different from the person's usual moods and behaviors. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day. Episodes may also last for longer periods, such as several days or weeks.

Symptoms of a Manic Episode may include:
- Feeling very high, elated, or extremely irritable or touchy.
-Feeling jumpy or wired, more active than usual.
-Sudden and severe changes in mood, such as going from being joyful to being angry and hostile.
- Having a decreased need for sleep.
- Talking fast about a lot of different things ("flight of ideas")
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling able to do many things at once without getting tired
- Having excessive appetite for food, drinking, sex, or other pleasurable activities
- Increased impulsivity and poor judgment, such as suddenly quitting your job.
- Making grand and unattainable plans.
- Reckless and risk-taking behavior, such as drug and alcohol misuse and having unsafe or unprotected sex.
- Feeling unusually important, talented, or powerful
- Psychosis — experiencing hallucinations and delusions (in the most severe manic episodes).

Symptoms of a Depressive Episode may include:
- Feeling very down or sad, or anxious
- Feeling slowed down or restless
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
- Uncontrollable crying.
- Irritability.
- Having trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping too much
- Talking very slowly, feeling unable to find anything to say, or forgetting a lot
- Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling unable to do even simple things
- Having a lack of interest in almost all activities
- A change in appetite, causing weight loss or gain.
- Feeling hopeless or worthless, or thinking about death or suicide