Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Posted by Administrator in Mental Health.Symptoms of bipolar mania:
The main feature of a manic episode is an excessively “high” mood (euphoria) or an abnormally irritable mood. The mood must last for a week or more (less time if the person has to go to the hospital). Along with the euphoria or irritability, a person has three or four of the following symptoms:
* Inflated sense of self-importance (e.g., may have grandiose delusions or overestimate abilities and talents) * Decreased need for sleep (e.g., may go days without sleep and not feel tired) * Loud, rapid speech (e.g., may talk nonstop) * Racing thoughts (e.g., may abruptly jump from one subject to another) * Distractibility (e.g., may not be able to screen out irrelevant details) * Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may pace or hold multiple conversations at once) * Increase in goal-oriented activities (e.g., may have an increased sex drive or become excessively and inappropriately social) * Unwise involvement in pleasurable but potentially risky activities (e.g., may rack up significant debt, have sex with strangers, abuse drugs, or make rash investment decisions)
Symptoms of bipolar depression:
Bipolar depression is more than just having the blues. A person in the midst of a major depressive episode experiences extreme sadness or numbness almost all day, every day, for at least two weeks. Or they may show a loss of interest in or enjoyment from their favorite activities. In addition, the person shows signs of at least four of the following nearly every day:
* Significant changes in appetite and/or weight (e.g., may crave specific foods or be unable to eat) * Sleep problems (e.g., may have insomnia or sleep too much) * Loss of energy or fatigue (e.g., may take much longer to do simple, everyday tasks) * Trouble concentrating (e.g., may have a hard time making decisions or focusing on work) * Slowed speech, thinking, or body movements (e.g., may take a long time to answer a question) * Inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness (e.g., may fixate on perceived failings) * Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may not be able to sit still) * Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (e.g., may have plans for how to commit suicide)