Signs You're Bipolar
What Is It?
Sometimes called manic depression, bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood. People who have it may spend weeks feeling like they're on top of the world before plunging into deep depression.
The length of each high and low varies greatly from person to person.
Sometimes called manic depression, bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood. People who have it may spend weeks feeling like they're on top of the world before plunging into deep depression.
The length of each high and low varies greatly from person to person.
What The Depression Phase Is Like
Without treatment, a person with bipolar disorder may have intense episodes of depression. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, loss of energy, hopelessness, and trouble concentrating. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. It's also common to gain or lose weight, sleep too much or too little, and even think about suicide.
Without treatment, a person with bipolar disorder may have intense episodes of depression. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, loss of energy, hopelessness, and trouble concentrating. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. It's also common to gain or lose weight, sleep too much or too little, and even think about suicide.
When Someone Is Manic
During this phase people feel super -charged and think they can do anything. Their self-esteem soars out of control and its hard for them to sit still. They talk more, are easily distracted, their thoughts race, and they don't sleep enough. It often leads to reckless behavior, such as spending sprees, cheating, fast driving, and substance abuse. Three or more of these symptoms nearly every day for a week accompanied by a feeling of intense excitement may signal a manic episode.
During this phase people feel super -charged and think they can do anything. Their self-esteem soars out of control and its hard for them to sit still. They talk more, are easily distracted, their thoughts race, and they don't sleep enough. It often leads to reckless behavior, such as spending sprees, cheating, fast driving, and substance abuse. Three or more of these symptoms nearly every day for a week accompanied by a feeling of intense excitement may signal a manic episode.
Bipolar 1 vs Bipolar II
People with bipolar I disorder have manic phases for at least a week. Many also have separate depression phases, too.
Those with bipolar II, have bouts of major depression, but instead of full manic episodes, thay have low-grade hypomanic swings that are less intense and may last less than a week. They may seem fine, even like "The life of the party," though family and friends notice their mood swings.
People with bipolar I disorder have manic phases for at least a week. Many also have separate depression phases, too.
Those with bipolar II, have bouts of major depression, but instead of full manic episodes, thay have low-grade hypomanic swings that are less intense and may last less than a week. They may seem fine, even like "The life of the party," though family and friends notice their mood swings.
What's A Mixed Episode?
When people with bipolar disorder have depression and mania symptoms at the same time, or very close together, this is called manic or depressive episode with mixed features.
This can lead to unpredictable behavior, such as taking dangerous risks, when feeling hopeless and suicidal, but energized and agitated. Mood episodes involved mixed features may be somewhat more common in women and in people who develop bipolar disorder at a young age.
When people with bipolar disorder have depression and mania symptoms at the same time, or very close together, this is called manic or depressive episode with mixed features.
This can lead to unpredictable behavior, such as taking dangerous risks, when feeling hopeless and suicidal, but energized and agitated. Mood episodes involved mixed features may be somewhat more common in women and in people who develop bipolar disorder at a young age.
What Are The Causes?
Doctor don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. Current theories hold that the disorder may result from a combination of genetic and other biological--as well as environmental-- factors. Scientists think that brain circuits involved i the regulation of mood, energy, thinking, and biological rhythm may function abnormally in people with bipolar disorder resulting in the mood and other changes associated with the illness,
Doctor don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. Current theories hold that the disorder may result from a combination of genetic and other biological--as well as environmental-- factors. Scientists think that brain circuits involved i the regulation of mood, energy, thinking, and biological rhythm may function abnormally in people with bipolar disorder resulting in the mood and other changes associated with the illness,
Who Is At Risk?
Men and women both get bipolar disorder. In most cases symptoms usually start with people who are 15--30 years -old. More rarely it can begin in childhood. The condition can sometimes run in families, but not everyone in a family may have it.
Men and women both get bipolar disorder. In most cases symptoms usually start with people who are 15--30 years -old. More rarely it can begin in childhood. The condition can sometimes run in families, but not everyone in a family may have it.
Risky Behavior.
Many people with bipolar disorder have trouble with drugs or alcohol. They may drink or abuse drugs to ease uncomfortable symptoms of their mood swings.
Substance misuse also may be prone to occur as part of a reckless or pleasure-seeking associated with mania.
Many people with bipolar disorder have trouble with drugs or alcohol. They may drink or abuse drugs to ease uncomfortable symptoms of their mood swings.
Substance misuse also may be prone to occur as part of a reckless or pleasure-seeking associated with mania.
Suicidal Thinking
People with bipolar disorder are 10-20 times more likely to commit suicide than others. Warning signs include talking about suicide, putting their affairs in order, and doing very risky things. If you know someone who may be at risk call one of these hotlines:800 SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and 800-273 Talk (800-273-8255). If the person has a plan to commit suicide call 911 or help them to an emergency immediately.
People with bipolar disorder are 10-20 times more likely to commit suicide than others. Warning signs include talking about suicide, putting their affairs in order, and doing very risky things. If you know someone who may be at risk call one of these hotlines:800 SUICIDE (800-784-2433) and 800-273 Talk (800-273-8255). If the person has a plan to commit suicide call 911 or help them to an emergency immediately.
What Medicines Treat It?
There are several types of prescription drugs for bipolar disorder. They include mood stabilizers that prevent episodes of ups and downs, as well as antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs.
Credit: WebMD
There are several types of prescription drugs for bipolar disorder. They include mood stabilizers that prevent episodes of ups and downs, as well as antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs.
Credit: WebMD