Symptoms of being bi-polar?

Question

Can anyone tell me the symptoms of being bi-polar? My husband thinks he is bi-polar.

Answer 1

Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder

Increased physical and mental activity and energy

Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence

Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior

Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue

Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance

Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas

Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility

Reckless behavior

In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations

Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder

Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells

Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns

Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety

Pessimism, indifference

Loss of energy, persistent lethargy

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness

Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness

Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal

Unexplained aches and pains

Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

hope it helped :)

Answer 2

. Hi- I been living with being (bi-polar)/manic depression Since puberty. Extreme shifts in my moods,temper/distress/ joy etc. + chemical in balance- for 22 years- I can go from extreme joy - super happy- tons of energy-loving life and participating/interacting with family and friends to the 'polar' opposite. Deep Dark depression-sadness-hopeless-sleeping all day- no phone not leaving the house- I had passive thoughts about suicide-which I didn't even think I was suicidal-but- I was convinced that nobody would miss me if I just got in my car and drove away. Finally my mom-sister-husband INSISTED I go into 'voluntary hospitalization' BTW- I Had been seeing shrinks/psychiatrist for years -the last "Doctor" I sawbfor 4 years-prescribed meds - but I never felt even. -but- I just thought it was me that couldn't control my high sensitivity etc. At my breaking point-lowest-of my lows-I called him daily and begged him for help and I asked him over and over if I was having a breakdown- He told me no and suggested I take a walk- Bad-Bad- Bad Dr. Long story I know-but- I have been working w/new Doctor who is aggressively treating me and it's almost a year later- and I am seeing and feeling progress. It's not just up to the meds-I have to do major behavior modification-BUT- I want to add 'Bi-Polar people are NOT the crazy sickos that kill people(go postal) that t.v. portrays us to be- hope this helps- I am happy to help if you'd to email me-Tina-

Answer 3

Unlikely that I can do better than the foregoing list of symptoms, but, for reinforcement and perspective, I will present those given for the condition by NARSAD, a national research organization for schezophrenia and affective disorders. Quoting NARSAD's "Conquering Depression," symptoms can include all or some of those given for major depressive disorder:

In this depressive phase of manic-depression, which bi-polar really means, there is "persistent depressed mood," "loss of interest or pleasure," this inludes sex and other activities, "hopelessness and pessimism," "guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness," "insomnia, early...awakening, or oversleeping," "Loss of appetite...weight loss or overeating (and) weight gain."

Depressive symptoms also may inlcude low "energy, fatique, and feeling 'slowed down.'" (The later being particularly noticeable.) There can be "restlessness and irritability." "Difficulty concentrating" can be a prominent problem, as well as problems "remembering, and making decisions."

There are often "physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, or chronic pain," without apparent cause and for which no treatment helps. "Thoughts of suicide or death...or suicide attempts," not "fear of dying" can be present.

These depressive symptoms are contrasted by those of manic behavior when the individual might enter that phase of the disorder. Not all reach fully manic states, but remain what is known as hypomanic, just under the threshold of full mania. Manic symptoms include:

--Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
--Decreased need to sleep (possibly going for days with none or very little sleep)
--Rapid speech (called compressed speech) or excessive talkativeness
--Agitation; increase in activity (trying to do more than one thing at a time, or going from one to another in swift succession), either socially, in work, or a demonstrated hyper-sexuallity
--Distracted easily by minor stimuli, inablity to sustain concentration
--Involved greatly in high-risk activities, excessive spending, sexual promiscuity or dangerous behavior without recogizing painful consequences.

In the manic phase, individuals are unlikely to be aware of their behaviors as being extreme, but these behaviors often are noticed and are obvious to others.

This the is an additional reinforcing look at manic-depressive symptoms as presented above, yet from a bit different perspective. Hope it has been helpful.

Answer 4

Well depression sets in for two weeks or more then it will go away . mood swings occure almost all the time.lack of sleep, not eating right, loosing interest in things you once loved to do.

ummm but you should go see a therapist about it before it leads to thoughts of suicide..you cna also check out some medical websites like webmd and others

good luck

Answer 5

a person must display expansive, elevated, or irritable mood for a week or more and at least three or four of these major symptoms inflated self esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, talkativeness, racing thoughts, distractibility, increase in goal directed activity, agitation and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for negative consequences.....and of course get checked out by a licensed psychiatrist..........Dr. M

Answer 6

you have nights that your up all night for a time then other nights you cant get enough sleep your sexual drive increases and you may do things that you may not normally do morally like having sex with who ever and not caring sometimes your very happy then you crash and and are very irritable seek help this used to be called manic depression but now we call it bi polar

Answer 7

First and foremost, as someone in the mental health field, I would caution you against taking "advice" from just anyone. A great resource would be the Depression and BiPolar Support Alliance. They have great information about both bipolar and treatments. www.dbsa.org

Answer 8

having extreme mood swings, absolute high highs, absolute low lows, with no middle ground. The highs are refered to as mania and the lows are refered to as depression. To get an absolute diagnosis have see a doctor who will either prescribe or refer him to a psychiatrist.

Good luck-
Cat
☼ ♥ ♫ ♀

Answer 9

Intense Mood swings, the person can't control themsleves in what they do. I think it be corrected by diet I believe, I am a health nut.Good Luck

Answer 10

It's like being on steroids tell him.One minute you are gentle and giving,the next you can't control your anger or rage. If you are married to him you should already be aware something is wrong. Like being hot then cold.