2006-10-20 00:39:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. People suffering from the disorder may be periodically disabled, but can live full and productive lives whether or not they receive adequate treatment. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living closely with them
The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression) is that bipolar disorder involves both elevated and depressive mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to the next is called "cycling". Mood swings can cause impairment or improved functioning depending on their severity. There can be changes in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and cognitive functioning. During these times, some people may have difficulty functioning.
2006-10-20 03:28:14 · answer #1 · answered by nana_viki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can find the full DSM-IV definition of Bipolar Disorder here: http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/psychology/781/dsm.htm
Bear in mind that the length of the cycles in true bipolar is far longer than people think. Bipolar 1 has episodes lasting months or years, while bipolar 2 is maybe 4 episodes a year. Rapid cycling bipolar still has episodes lasting weeks or months, and even ultra-rapid cycling bipolar is mood swings in days.
If someone's mood is changing minute by minute, it probably isn't bipolar.
2006-10-20 04:32:56 · answer #2 · answered by Random Bloke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they are actually in the "manic" phase you mean? Well one symptom is that they spend money like crazy and don't sleep much. They tend to be unpredicable and irrational. Not necessarily happy just exciteable. I knew a lady who was in here manic phase and she went to the store and fridge magnets were on sale so she bought $100 worth. And one time she got in the car and desided to go to Disneyland with her son but forgot to tell her husband. That type of thing. Then of course the Depression part is much longer and they are depressed, sleep a lot, moody. It is a very difficult one to treat.
2006-10-20 01:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by Constant_Traveler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
... teenagers with Bipolar Disorder have manic and/or depressive symptoms. Some may have mostly depression and others a combination of manic ...
www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/bipolar.htm Go to this site it will tell you. :)
2006-10-20 00:44:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stephen Fry recently did a two part programme about his Bipolar experiences
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/tv_and_radio/secretlife_index.shtml
Some information here
2006-10-20 01:01:43 · answer #5 · answered by Thisbysghost 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it can also be where 1 min there laughing and then not even a min later there crying then the next min there ok then on mood swings,and out birst those are also signs
2006-10-20 00:59:33 · answer #6 · answered by sun m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is also called being manic depressive, characterised by episodes of extreme happiness (euphoria) and then rutts of (often suicidal) depression.
2006-10-20 00:48:11 · answer #7 · answered by F R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋