What are the symptoms of bipolar?

Question

Now I heard of bipolar but we think my sister and nephew have it? Can anyone tell me if anyone has had experience with this or knows someone? We don't know if we should take them to the dr? What should I look for? Is it hereditary?

Answer 1

Bipolar Disorder comes in 2 forms, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the type most people think of where someone experiences shifts between depression, mania and/or mixed episodes. Bipola II is most like recurrent major depressive episodes interspersed with hypomanic episodes (which do not reach the level of a mania). The following is a general description of some of the criteria for depression and mania, but you should not attempt diagnosis yourself. You can check the exact criteria in a DSM IV and a thorough history needs to be taken for accurate diagnosis and assessment.
Criteria for Depression are five of the following during a 2 week period:
1) depressed mood more days than not, can be just irritable in adolescents and children and frequently men show more irritability
2) decreased or increased appetite accompanied by weight gain or loss
3) hypersomnia or insomnia
4) recurrent thoughts of death or dying, suicidal ideation
5) observable psychomotor retardation or agitation
5) anhedonia (loss of interest in previous pleasurable activities)
6) subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down
7) Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions
Criteria for a Mania:
1) Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired despite only several hours per night or no sleep
2) Pressured speech that is difficult to interrupt(talking very rapidly and loudly with pressure to keep talking)
3) Flight of Ideas or "racing thoughts"
4) Increased energy
5) Engaging in a flurry of goal-directed activity-either impulsive behavior that has a high potential for damaging consequences-spending money, reckless driving, sexual promiscuity, etc. or excessively overproductive with respect to work
6) a consistently elevated or "high" mood or a consistently irritable mood
7) grandiose delusions-seeing oneself as more important or powerful than they truly are but in delusional proportions, not simply inflated self-esteem

Bipolar II is similar but the manic symtoms are less severe and rarely warrant hospitalization as they do not reach psychotic levels.

Additionally there is a condition called cyclothymia where a person cycles between hypomania and dysthymia (milder depression).

The condition most often has a genetic component and often there are first degree relatives with the disorder. there is also a higher prevalence of other mood disorders and eating disorders and alcoholism among relatives.

If you suspect someone is Bipolar take them to a psychiatrist for evaluation. Primary MD's are not qualified to diagnose or treat the condition and it is often misdiagnosed, especially in children as the symptoms look different and the cycling tends to be more rapid.

It absolutely requires medication for treatment to be effective.

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterised by periods of mania or hypo mania lasting at least a few days and periods of depression lasting at least two weeks. Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is having more than 4 mood swings per year. It is not the literal feeling of 'being happy one minute and sad the next' that's not bipolar disorder infact, that's more likely not a disorder, a personality disorder such as borderline personality or something else. Although during mania one can be on top the world one minute and irritable and angry the next...Bipolar disorder is over diagnosed because it's easier than the alternatives. Many people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder are infact mentally healthy individuals who do not require medication, so if someone you know is diagnosed bipolar and quits their medication, watch for warning signs, but don't freak out. It is hereditary. You can only take them to a doctor if they agree and chances are they won't. There's no point in playing psychiatrist with your loved ones. If there is a serious problem going on ie. your sister and your nephew are a danger to themselves or others, then you should get the proper help, but if they just annoy the hell out of you with their dramatics, leave it alone.

Answer 3

Bipolar disorder causes wide mood shifts. However, they don't happen suddenly, as in being happy one moment and miserable the next. Episodes usually last at least a few weeks or longer. More than 4 episodes in a year is called rapid cycling. When someone has several episodes in a short span of time (a few months or weeks) it is called rapid-rapid cycling and it is NOT fun.

It is really hard for someone with bipolar disorder to see that they have a problem. Mania, or at least hypomania, feels good, like you're on top of the world. Depression, on the other hand, feels awful. More people seek help for the depressive phase than the manic. As a result, bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as major depression until a manic episode occurs that forces a person to seek help.

I am better than I used to be about seeing signals that an episode is starting but I really have to rely on my doctor, my therapist and a few close friends to help me stay stable. The illness is hereditary and definitely runs in my family so I keep a close eye on my kids. The only way to determine if someone has bipolar disorder is to take him to a pyschiatrist for an evaluation.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I have bipolar 2.

Bipolar 1 (manic depressive) cycle between periods of highs and lows equally. When they are experiencing a high or manic episode they feel happy, they can take on the world. They take on projects or compulisive shop and then lose interest very quickly. The of course there are the episodes of depression.

Bipolar 2 is the same thing except that we spend more time depressed than happy.

Both can be treated very easily with medication and therapy.

Answer 5

Bipolar is a new term for manic depression. Extreme highs - extreme lows . Yes it is hereditary.
but for most people it can be controlled with a "cocktail" of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. However it often takes a long time to create the right "cocktail".

Answer 6

Bi polar disorder is also known as Manic Depression. You can be very happy on minute and totally in the dumps the next. The only person that can diagnose that disorder would be a psychiatrist and they can prescribe medication if necessary. Yes it can be passed down through genetics.

Answer 7

to be honest. dont look at symptoms. go directly to someone for help even if u have the inclination you might be suffering from it. when you read the symptoms you tend to make yourself belive you have all the symptoms and than you get it in your head that you MUST be bi polar. and it can actually make you depressed and begin suffering from the mental disorder.

Answer 8

they can be happy one minute and be very mean and nasty instantly, mood change. tired, if you think they are take them to the doctor, because if they are they can get help. to control it. they have some medicine for it. I forgot what its called. but one of my best friend is bipolar.

Answer 9

YES! And if you want info send me your email! I will send you a brochure. Yes medical care is needed, and it is heriditary. Trust me I am having to deal with it. But you need to read what I have, and you can understand more.

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