Bipolar Treatment – Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Posted by Charles Kelley

Bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of alternating high (manic) and low (depressive) moods. The “mood swings” between mania and depression can come on quickly and without warning, and with many different levels of intensity.  There are a wide range of signs and symptoms for each end of the spectrum.  This makes bipolar treatment somewhat difficult to get a handle on due the wide variety of each individual case.   Recognizing the symptoms is key to understanding how to effectively treat bipolar disorder.

Symptoms

The manic phase of Bipolar disorder may last several days or even months and can include the following symptoms:

 

  • High levels of agitation or irritability
  • Elevated mood
    • Hyperactivity
    • Increased energy
    • Lack of self-control
    • Racing thoughts
  • Inflated self image (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
  • Sleeplessness
  • Over-involvement in activities
  • Easy loss of temper
  • Reckless behavior
    • Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
    • Impaired judgment
    • Risky sexual behavior
    • Spending sprees
  • Inability to focus

The depressive phase of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms common to major depression:

 

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Eating disturbances
    • Loss of appetite and weight loss
    • Overeating and weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
  • Loss of self-esteem
  • Persistent sadness
  • Persistent thoughts of death
  • Sleep disturbances
    • Excessive sleepiness
    • Inability to sleep
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
  • Withdrawal from friends
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. Substance abuse is also very common among people with Bipolar Disorder, which worsens or multiplies symptoms. Often times, many of the symptoms of bipolar disorder are commonly mistaken for other illnesses until after they have gotten progressively worse, or changed direction.

If you or someone you love is suffering from Bipolar Disorder, it is imperitive that treatment be implemented.  Knowing the signs and symptoms early on will give the upper hand in bipolar treatment.

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Posted in: bipolar information Comments(0) November 2009