How exactly do you know if someone is Bipolar??

Answer 1

Bipolar really needs to be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, in order to know for certain. There are actually two different types of bipolar disorder, and then subtypes of each type, but here is some general information. I hope you find it helpful.

What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a serious, lifelong medical condition. It affects more than 2 million people in the United States.
Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness. And when symptoms are treated, life can be better.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. It’s a medical condition. Bipolar disorder may be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, or abnormalities in brain structure.
People with bipolar disorder can have mood swings, including depression (extreme lows) and mania (extreme highs).
A period of depression or mania is called an episode. Individuals may experience episodes of depression or mania throughout life.
Episodes may be separated by long periods with few or no symptoms. To help keep bipolar disorder under control, medication is often taken even when few or no symptoms are present.
What are the types of episodes in bipolar disorder?

Depression
While most people feel sad or "down in the dumps" from time to time, people with bipolar disorder may have depression that is so severe they cannot function. They may not have the energy to get out of bed or to eat, and they do not enjoy the things they used to.
Bipolar depression can come back again. Worst of all, a person with bipolar depression may begin to think of suicide.
Mania
Mania is the other side of bipolar disorder. Episodes of mania can range from mild to severe or even mixed.
Mania can start with a pleasurable sense of high energy, creativity, and social ease. Soon it may progress to extreme highs, agitation, and irritability. Increased irritability can lead to arguments with family members and friends. Some individuals may even become violent.
Hypomania
Most of the symptoms of hypomania are the same as mania, but milder. A person may feel better than usual and may be more productive. But the "feel good" period can develop into full-blown mania or depression.
Mixed
During mixed episodes, symptoms of mania and depression occur at the same time or flip-flop throughout the day. People with mixed episodes may be at risk for suicide.
What are the types of bipolar disorder?

There are several types of mood disorders:
Bipolar I disorder (BP I) is the most common type of bipolar disorder, in which a person has one or more manic or mixed episodes. Often, individuals also had one or more depressive episode.
Bipolar II disorder (BP II) is a classification of bipolar disorder in which a person has one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania (a milder version of mania).
Cyclothymic disorder is a long-term fluctuating mood disturbance with periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms.
What is rapid cycling?

Rapid cycling in bipolar disorder is defined as at least 4 episodes of a mood disturbance within a year. These mood swing episodes may be:
Manic
Mixed
Hypomanic
Depressive
The episodes are followed by a return to normal or near-normal moods, or a switch to a completely opposite mood episode. Visit www.bipolar.com for more detailed information about bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
If you have bipolar disorder, you may recognize many of the symptoms below. Not everyone has exactly the same symptoms. Talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms at each visit.

Symptoms of depression may include:
Feeling sad or blue, or "down in the dumps"
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, including sex
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
Sleeping too little or too much
Changes in weight or appetite
Feeling tired or having little or no energy
Feeling restless
Problems concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of mania may include:
Increased energy level
Less need for sleep
Racing thoughts or mind jumps around
Easily distracted
More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking
More self-confident than usual
Focused on getting things done, but often completing little
Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it's likely bad things will happen
Here are some behaviors that may be seen in people with bipolar disorder. Please note some of these behaviors may also indicate a different problem, so proper diagnosis is important.
Agitation
Alcohol or drug abuse
Irritability
Excessive gambling
Violence
Poor judgment with decisions
Careless spending, buying sprees
Talking about hurting oneself
Risky sex or change in sexual activity
Impulsive financial investments
More arguments
Change in energy level, appetite, or sleep pattern
Relationship problems at home or work
Mounting debt
Legal/criminal issues

Answer 2

Bipolar generally means extreme mood swings. I know of two types, but I'm sure there's plenty more and variations thereof. with one type, an individual could be happy and showing off the new house one second, and screaming at raging at the neighbors in the blink of an eye, then inside the house crying and rocking in the fetal position the next. It's usually one extreme to the next within a heartbeat. It could also mean that moods swing to extremes. Could be really happy to the point of mania and living in a fantasy world, and days later, really sad and depressed to the verge of suicide.

To know, just watch how quickly the person's moods shift, or try to figure out how extreme moods are. In some bipolars, a mood shift can take days to occur, but they are tilted out on an extreme, or they can shift from one second to the next in wild extremes. No matter which, it's all a matter of extremes.

Good luck! I hope no one you know suffers from this horrible ailment. It's a crippler to those who suffer from it and those that have to live with that person.

Answer 3

"Alice S" gave an excellent description of Bipolar. If someone you know is suffering from any of the symptoms in her description they need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis. With the right medications they will be able to live a normal, productive life. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

someone VERY close to me is bipolar.. so you need to be more specific with your reasoning as to WHY you are even asking this ques..are you seeing symptoms of some kind???

Answer 5

they have to be interviewd by a psychiatrist, or therapist to be absolutly correct in diagnosing them. thats the only way.

Answer 6

Physicians need to make this diagnosis.

Answer 7

you ask a doctor who is qualified to anwser the question.