What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, still often referred to as manic depression, is a mood disorder marked by episodes of clinically significant impairment due to mania or depression.

Bipolar disorder is a serious medical illness that affects millions of people. Bipolar disorder typically develops in early adulthood, but some people develop symptoms as children or late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness or misdiagnosed as depression or adhd, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like heart disease and diabetes, Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.

There are currently three types of bipolar disorder outlined by the DSM-IV-TR and generally accepted within the medical community: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia. Like many disorders involving brain chemistry, bipolar disorder is still under investigation, and symptoms may differ significantly from person-to-person. Typically, symptoms include periods of euphoria, which alternate with periods of profound depression. In most cases, periods of mood stability complement these periods of instability.

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Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

The DSM-IV-TR details two general profiles of bipolar disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is characterized by alternating episodes of full-blown mania and depression, while Bipolar II, the less severe and more common type of the disorder, is characterized by episodes of hypomania and depression.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Mania and depression are the opposing phases in bipolar disorder.

• Mania: A person in the manic phase may feel indestructible, full of energy, and ready for anything. Other times that person may be irritable and ready to argue with anyone who tries to get in the way.
  • Unrealistic plans, spending sprees, an increase in sexual affairs, or other reckless behavior, such as wild driving, also may occur.
  • Less sleep and food than usual are needed.
  • The person with mania can stay up all night but may find that not much was accomplished because he or she was easily distracted.
  • The person with bipolar disorder may talk very quickly and jump from subject to subject. They often exhibit pressured speech during mania.
  • Self-esteem may be inflated.
  • Any decisions that are made with regard to business and finances are often not good ones.
  • Clothing choices may also change, and the person with bipolar disorder may start wearing brighter, more flamboyant clothes.
  • These behaviors, which can be quite upsetting, usually prompt a family member to take notice and try to get the person help.
  • Most people who are going through the manic phase of bipolar disorder deny that anything is wrong with them and refuse to see a medical professional.
  • They are grandiose and may have delusions (false ideas) of grandeur (greatness).
• Depression: Although mania is said to alternate with depression, most people have more depressive episodes than manic ones.
  • Sadness and crying spells are common.
  • People who are depressed may not care enough to wash or comb their hair, change clothes, or even get out of bed in the morning.
  • These people may sleep too much (hypersomnolence) or have difficulty getting to sleep (insomnia).
  • Many of these people have no interest in food or have no appetite and lose weight. However, some eat excessively.
  • People with depression have trouble thinking; they may forget to do important things such as paying bills because they feel so down.
  • They withdraw from friends.
  • Hobbies that used to bring pleasure suddenly hold no interest for people who are depressed.
  • Depression brings feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
  • People who are depressed may not see a point in living anymore and may actually think about ways to kill themselves.
• Some people with bipolar disorder cycle between the 2 extremes every few months or weeks. Other people with bipolar disorder may cycle several times within the same day.
• Signs of mania
  • Excessive worry
  • Excessive guilt
  • Sadness, crying spells
  • Loss of energy
  • Change in sleep pattern (insomnia at night, daytime sleepiness)
  • Major changes in appetite or weight
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Social withdrawal
  • Lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

continue: How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed? . section table of contents

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Reviewed: 03/2006