what are the signs of bipolar disorder?

Answer 1

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

Answer 2

One of these days I'm going to quit answering BP questions....

For me, it was sudden. I went from totally normal and peaceful to full blown manic with psychosis in a little under 1 week. It started with me staying up all night trying to figure out a "big puzzle" It felt like I was on acid or mushrooms. I heard things, I saw things. I lived by myself at the time so no one really noticed teh really weird stuff. For instance. I decided I was going to put all of my belongings that I cared about on the couch or the coffee table. I decided to throw everything else away. I quit going to work because I simply forgot to. etc. etc.

There is a standard list of signs that you can find on NAMI or WebMD. A lot of people start out with depression and raise up into hypomania. Some never really reach full blown mania. If you think you or someone you know may have BP, there is a Mood Disorder quiz that can be found on WebMD. Take it and see if the signs are there.

Answer 3

Symptoms
It's important to distinguish between the three elements of this condition:

1. depressive symptoms
2. manic symptoms
3. the cycle of these moods


1. The symptoms of depression, which are covered in depth in our depression section, include low mood, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, a sense of pessimism, hopelessness, reduced sexual drive, loss of interest or pleasure in life, reduced ability to concentrate and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide.

2. People in mania are often described as being like a tornado. They experience elevated moods or euphoria, increased activity, pressured fast speech, self-important ideas or grandiose delusions, hallucinations, reduced sleep, increased appetite for food and sex, overspending on a wild scale and all-night excesses.

3. These sets of symptoms occur in cycles , which comes in several varieties:

Mixed. It's possible for a person to have many of the symptoms of mania, and also suffer from severely depressive thoughts. Especially if the person experiencing the mania has insight into what's happening to them. Although the symptoms of mania can sound quite pleasant, it can also feel as though you're losing control.

Cycles. Symptoms of mania can be followed by symptoms of depression in an almost regular pattern. These swings in mood can occur over a period of anything from days to months. Less commonly, some people may experience only depression or mania, but within a regular recurring pattern.

Answer 4

Mood swings. From very high, euphoric to very low depression. During the highs the person may feel they are invincible, will spent more than they can afford etc. The lows can lead to suicide.
Alcohol really works against a person with the disorder.

Answer 5

the current standard for setting universally accepted criteria is...
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)
This is the place where all doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists find the classifications necessary to diagnose patients according to certain traits in whatever their mental affliction may be..
I have used the following webpages for my own research uses. I am bipolar and found them very helpful..

1.) http://www.a-silver-lining.org/bpndepth/...
2.) http://www.mental-health-today.com/bp/ds...
the first explains the process for diagnoses.
the second applies to mood disorders
Hope this helps ya out
Good Luck.

Answer 6

sudden mood swings, fits of sever or moderate anger, depression, can't concentrate, very over emotional, sorry when they have a fit and don't remember what happend...it is a serious disorder, but can be easily treated if the person with the disorder wants to be treated...

Answer 7

All the info here.