what does being bipolar do?

Answer 1

Bipolar is the same as manic depressive. Being bipolar means you have a mood disorder (a neurological disorder). There are two types of bipolar (I and II)

To be bipolar you have to experience both instances of mania and depression (though obviously not at the same time).
Symptoms of mania are--
• Excessive energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid talking
• Denial that anything is wrong
• Extreme "high" or euphoric feelings — a person may feel "on top of the world" and nothing, including bad news or tragic events, can change this "happiness."
• Easily irritated or distracted
• Decreased need for sleep – an individual may last for days with little or no sleep without feeling tired.
• Unrealistic beliefs in one’s ability and powers — a person may experience feelings of exaggerated confidence or unwarranted optimism. This can lead to overly ambitious work plans and the belief that nothing can stop him or her from accomplishing any task...
• Uncharacteristically poor judgment — a person may make poor decisions which may lead to unrealistic involvement in activities, meetings and deadlines, reckless driving, spending sprees and foolish business ventures.
• Sustained period of behavior that is different from usual — a person may dress and/or act differently than he or she usually does, become a collector of various items, become indifferent to personal grooming, become obsessed with writing, or experience delusions.
• Unusual sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol or sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior — a person may become enraged or paranoid if his or her grand ideas are stopped or excessive social plans are refused.


Symptoms of depression are--
• Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
• Sleeping too much or too little, middle-of-the-night or early morning waking
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
• Irritability or restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
• Thoughts of death or suicide, including suicide attempts
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Bipolars can experience a slower rate of cycling, or a more excelerated rate. Cycling is the transfer from one extreme mood to another. There may be a period of "calm" between the two cycles, but if left untreated the latter mood will eventually appear.
Rapid cycling or ultradian cycling will occur-- rapid meaning having 4 or more episodes a year, or ultradian, meaning one can cycle daily or even hourly (however, this is fairly uncommon).

Bipolar patients may also experience psychosis while afflicted with their mood disorder, if it is extreme enough.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Answer 3

Bipolar is a chemical imbalance in your brain. Imagine being extremely excited one minute and someone says something and you snap and immediately are on a rampage. Most cases of Bipolar have "other illness" with it, in my sister's case, she is depressed, self-mutilating, a small case of schizophrenia, and mulit- personalities.
A common drug for Bipolar is lithium. The best way to control a Bipolar lifestyle it to find the right combo's of medication. You will never be able to get rid of the illness, but you are able to control it. I also think a lot of the control is all on yourself, if you don't want' to be in control than it will never happen.

Answer 4

Biploar disorder is a severe mental illness that can cause EXTREME mood swings. Bipolar will cause you to be very pleasant one day and violent the next. For the most part, it's caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are different meds and treatments out there for it. If you think you have it, see a doc soon. The sonner you get help for it, the better.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) is a diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences states or episodes of depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. Left untreated, it is a severely disabling psychiatric condition. The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) — for the purpose of this introduction — is that bipolar disorder involves "energized" or "activated" mood states in addition to depressed mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to another is called "cycling" or having mood swings. Mood swings cause impairment not only in one's mood, but also in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and thinking abilities. Many people become fully disabled — for significant periods of time — and during this time have great difficulty functioning.

Answer 6

Bipolar is the same as manic depressive. Being bipolar means you have a mood disorder (a neurological disorder). There are two types of bipolar (I and II)

To be bipolar you have to experience both instances of mania and depression (though obviously not at the same time).
Symptoms of mania are--
• Excessive energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid talking
• Denial that anything is wrong
• Extreme "high" or euphoric feelings — a person may feel "on top of the world" and nothing, including bad news or tragic events, can change this "happiness."
• Easily irritated or distracted
• Decreased need for sleep – an individual may last for days with little or no sleep without feeling tired.
• Unrealistic beliefs in one’s ability and powers — a person may experience feelings of exaggerated confidence or unwarranted optimism. This can lead to overly ambitious work plans and the belief that nothing can stop him or her from accomplishing any task...
• Uncharacteristically poor judgment — a person may make poor decisions which may lead to unrealistic involvement in activities, meetings and deadlines, reckless driving, spending sprees and foolish business ventures.
• Sustained period of behavior that is different from usual — a person may dress and/or act differently than he or she usually does, become a collector of various items, become indifferent to personal grooming, become obsessed with writing, or experience delusions.
• Unusual sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol or sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior — a person may become enraged or paranoid if his or her grand ideas are stopped or excessive social plans are refused.


Symptoms of depression are--
• Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
• Sleeping too much or too little, middle-of-the-night or early morning waking
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
• Irritability or restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Persistent physical symptoms that don’t respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
• Thoughts of death or suicide, including suicide attempts
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless

Bipolars can experience a slower rate of cycling, or a more excelerated rate. Cycling is the transfer from one extreme mood to another. There may be a period of "calm" between the two cycles, but if left untreated the latter mood will eventually appear.
Rapid cycling or ultradian cycling will occur-- rapid meaning having 4 or more episodes a year, or ultradian, meaning one can cycle daily or even hourly (however, this is fairly uncommon).

Bipolar patients may also experience psychosis while afflicted with their mood disorder, if it is extreme enough.

It is dealable but sometimes can be hard. It's like having a split personality.

Answer 7

If you are bipolar, you have two phases,sometimes you'll be excited and hopeful and do creative things (mania), and other times you'll be depressed and sad and just not do anything at all. Many artists were bipolar, and did their best works in their manic stages.

Answer 8

pretty much just causes major mood swings. You go from happy to sad to angry (an extreme version of each) in short time periods for no reason at all.

Answer 9

It makes one's mood shift. The shifts can range from depression to Mania....sometime the person is in the middle...

Answer 10

It makes you feel the need to answer peoples questions with stupid pointless answers....I think you should seek treatment for this annoying disability.