Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated mood, or mania. Usually—but not always­—the disorder also involves periods of depression. In a typical case, a person with bipolar disorder cycles between these two extremes—experiencing recurrent episodes of both elevated and depressed mood, often with symptom-free stretches in between.

Source: NIMH There are four types of mood episodes that can occur in bipolar disorder, each with a unique pattern of symptoms:

Mania Hypomania Depression Mixed episode

Signs and symptoms of mania In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk a mile a minute, sleep very little, and are hyperactive. They may also feel like they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness.

But while mania feels good at first, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode­—gambling away savings, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making foolish business investments, for example. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive, picking fights, lashing out when others don’t go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior.

Common signs and symptoms of mania include:

Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next Highly distractible, unable to concentrate Impaired judgment and impulsiveness Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases) Signs and symptoms of hypomania Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel euphoric, energetic, and productive, but their symptoms are milder than those of mania and much less disruptive. Unlike manics, people with hypomania never suffer from delusions and hallucinations. They are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives. To others, it may seem as if the hypomanic individual is merely in an unusually good mood. But unfortunately, hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar depression The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is very similar to that of major depression. However, there are some notable differences. When compared to major depression, bipolar depression is more likely to include symptoms of low energy. People with bipolar depression tend to move and speak slowly and sleep a lot. They are also more likely to have psychotic depression, a condition in which they’ve lost contact with reality.

Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:

Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty. Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy Fatigue or loss of energy Physical and mental sluggishness Appetite or weight changes Sleeping too much or too little Concentration and memory problems Feelings of self-loathing, shame, or guilt Thoughts of death or suicide Signs and symptoms of a mixed episode A mixed episode of bipolar disorder features symptoms of both mania and depression. Common signs of a mixed episode include agitation, irritability, insomnia, appetite changes, loss of contact with reality, and suicidal thoughts. This combination of high energy and low mood makes for a particularly high risk of suicide.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens Unlike many adults with bipolar disorder, whose episodes tend to be more clearly defined, children and young adolescents with the illness often experience very fast mood swings between depression and mania many times within a day. Children with mania are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive tantrums than to be overly happy and elated. Mixed symptoms also are common in youths with bipolar disorder. Older adolescents who develop the illness may have more classic, adult-type episodes and symptoms.

Source: NIMH

Types of bipolar disorder The course of bipolar disorder varies widely from person to person, with unpredictable differences in the pattern and frequency of the manic and depressive episodes. Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over a lifetime. The duration and severity of each episode also differs.

Each of the four types of bipolar disorder have a unique pattern of symptoms:

Bipolar I Disorder – Mania and depression Bipolar I Disorder is the classic manic-depressive form of the illness, as well as the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. Although a previous episode of major depression is not required for diagnosis, the vast majority of people with Bipolar I Disorder have experienced one. The typical course of Bipolar I Disorder involves recurring cycles between mania and depression. Bipolar II Disorder – Hypomania and depression In Bipolar II disorder, the person doesn’t experience full-blown manic episodes. Instead, the illness involves episodes of hypomania and severe depression. In order to be diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder, you must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode in your lifetime. If you ever have a manic episode, your diagnosis would be changed to Bipolar I Disorder. Cyclothymia – Hypomania and mild depression Cyclothymia, also known as cyclothymic disorder, is a milder form of bipolar disorder. Like bipolar disorder, cyclothymia consists of cyclical mood swings. However, the highs and lows are not severe enough to qualify as either mania or major depression. To be diagnosed with cyclothymia, you must experience numerous periods of hypomania and mild depression over at least a two-year time span. Because people with cyclothymia are at an increased risk of developing full-blown bipolar disorder, it is a condition that should be monitored and treated. Rapid Cycling – Frequent episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression Rapid cycling is a subtype of bipolar disorder characterized by four or more episodes of mania, hypomania, or depression within one year. The shifts from low to high can occur over a matter of days or hours. Rapid cycling can occur within any type of bipolar disorder. It usually develops later in the course of bipolar disorder, but it is sometimes just a temporary condition. Bipolar disorder and suicide The depressive phase of bipolar disorder is often very severe, and suicide is a major risk factor. In fact, people suffering from bipolar disorder are more likely to attempt suicide than those suffering from regular depression. Furthermore, their suicide attempts tend to be more lethal.

To Learn More: Helping a Suicidal Person Coping with Suicidal Thoughts

The risk of suicide is even higher in people with bipolar disorder who have a high number of depressive episodes, mixed episodes, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, a family history of suicide, or an early onset of the disease.

The warning signs of suicide include:

Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide Feeling hopeless or helpless Feeling worthless or like a burden to others Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye Acting recklessly, as if one has a “death wish” Seeking out weapons or pills that could be used to commit suicide If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. You can call a doctor, a suicide hotline, or your local hospital. If you believe that a suicide attempt is imminent, call 911 immediately and stay with the person until help arrives.

Important It’s very important to take any thoughts or talk of suicide seriously. If you or someone you care about is suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. IN A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

Triggers and risk factors for bipolar disorder Research indicates that some people are genetically predisposed to bipolar disorder. But not everyone with an inherited vulnerability develops the illness, indicating that external factors also play a role. These external risk factors are called triggers. Triggers can set off a bipolar disorder or prolong an existing mood episode. Many episode of mania or depression occur, however, without an obvious trigger.

Stress - Severe stress or emotional trauma can trigger either depression or mania in someone with a genetic vulnerability to bipolar disorder. Stress can also worsen a bipolar mood episode or extend its duration. Major Life Event - Major life events both good and bad can trigger an episode of bipolar disorder. These events tend to involve drastic or sudden changes, such as getting married, going away to college, starting a new job, or retiring. Substance Abuse - While substance abuse doesn’t cause bipolar disorder, it can bring on an episode and worsen the course of the disease. Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines can trigger mania, while alcohol and tranquilizers can trigger depression. Medication - Certain medications, most notably antidepressant drugs, can trigger mania. Other drugs that may induce mania include over-the-counter cold medicine, appetite suppressants, caffeine, corticosteroids, and thyroid medication. Seasonal Changes - Episodes of mania and depression often follow a seasonal pattern. Manic episodes are more common during the summer, and depressive episodes more common during the fall, winter, and spring. Sleep Deprivation – Loss of sleep—even as little as skipping a few hours of rest—can trigger an episode of mania.

coming from a person who has bipolar disorder/schizophrenia/clincal depression, bipolar disorder consits of mainly mood swings, sleep problems, maybe even insomnia, random acts of violence, and more, go to WebMD for a full list

Here are the symptoms: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm