About Bipolar Disorder
Updated 5/09/09
Bipolar disorder a.k.a. manic depression is a mood disorder characterized by emotional extremes of depression and mania, which typically go beyond normal responses and last for longer periods of time. The symptoms of this disorder include psychosis and suicidal thoughts, and can impair daily functioning. This illness affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions, behavior, and physical health.
The textbook definition of bipolar disorder is that it is a major affective disorder in which a person alternates between deep depressive states and extreme elation. Professionals have found it is not quite that simple; as there is more to this disorder than just alternating between two emotional states. The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) says that this illness is characterized by depressive episodes accompanied by one or more manic or mixed episodes. So if you suffer from depression, and experience just one episode of mania, you can qualify for a bipolar diagnosis.
Usually, people with bipolar disorder have moods that swing back and forth between high and low, with varying degrees of severity. Hence the term “mood swings”. Mania and depression are the two poles, or extremes, that people experience. This is where the term “bipolar” comes from.
When in a depressed state, one can have many of the symptoms of a depressive disorder, which include the following:
Persistent sad or empty mood
Hopelessness
Pessimism
Guilt
Feeling worthless
Feeling helpless
Loss of interest in hobbies
Decreased energy and fatigue
Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Overeating or under-eating
Suicidal thoughts and/or attempts
Restlessness and irritability
Psychosomatic symptoms
When in a manic phase, one may have more energy and be more talkative than normal. He or she may feel elated and have grand ideas about major personal and business schemes. If mania is not treated, it can develop into psychosis, which can be dangerous.
Symptoms of mania include:
Excessive elation
Extreme irritability
Insomnia
Grandiosity
Rapid speech
Racing thoughts
Increased sex drive
Increased energy
Poor judgment
Inappropriate behavior
Hallucinations or delusions
Sometimes, when a person makes the transition to mania, he or she may think that the depression is over, not realizing that the manic experience is part of the bipolar disorder. When depression and mania are both present, the person is said to have Bipolar I Disorder.
If an individual experiences hypomania rather than full-blown mania, he or she is said to have Bipolar II Mood Disorder. The symptoms of hypomania are similar to those of mania, only to a lesser degree. Someone who is hypomanic will probably be more energetic and talkative, but not to the point of being out of control. Hypomania can include some reckless or even inappropriate behavior, but is not typically considered dangerous like mania. It does not include hallucinations or delusions.
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