A person with manic-depression may experience moods that shift from high to low and back again in varying degrees of severity. The two poles of bipolar disorder are mania and depression.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar disorder are defined by mood swings from a state of euphoria (mania) to one of incredible sadness and hopelessness (depression). Depending on the type of bipolar, the mood swings may happen a few times a year or a few times a day. Some people experience a condition called mixed bipolar disorder, which may cause a person to feel symptoms of mania and depression at the same time or in rapid sequence. If you believe you may have experienced these symptoms and are concerned, talk to your doctor about treatment.
Recently Answered
-
4 AnswersA
-
5 AnswersA
UCLA Health answeredSee All 5 AnswersThe most common symptoms of the manic side of bipolar disorder include irritable or elated mood, racing thoughts, rapid speech, grandiosity and sleep disturbance without feeling tired. These phases are often followed by periods of severe depression, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts or actions, insomnia and fatigue. Depression tends to become more common during and after puberty, particularly among girls. Children with mood disorders are also at greater risk for co-occurring problems, such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit disorder, disruptive-behavior disorders, substance abuse and attempts at self-harm and suicide.
-
2 AnswersA
See All 2 AnswersIt would be nice if bipolar symptoms always emerged with uniformity and consistency. But it isn't that easy. The signs of relapse can be unique to each individual. One person's initial relapse symptoms may be quite different from another's. Therefore, to address this question more generally, we could say that for someone with bipolar disorder early signs of relapse could entail any noticeable shift in mood, thought process, energy and/or sleep pattern particularly when the mood shift does not appear to be appropriately reflective of external influences. -
5 AnswersA
Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 5 AnswersBipolar hypomania often feels like a mild high. It can make you feel really good, more self-confident, creative, energetic, and productive.
Shy people become more outgoing and quiet people become more talkative. Some people even report feeling more sensual with an increase in sexual appetite. The better and more confident a person feels, the more risks they tend to be willing to take. This can be precarious since the good feeling can give way to poor judgment and risky behavior.
Hypomania may not seem like a problem at first, but that can quickly change. You can quickly swing into a serious depression or into a scary mania.
Talk to your doctor about how to control mood swings and prevent hypomania from developing into mania or depression.
-
1 AnswerA
Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered
The symptoms of bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) cover all of the bases. You could experience rapid mood swings such as mania, hypomania, and depression. You may feel as though your mind is racing faster than Usain Bolt and you may speak a mile a minute. You may also have trouble sleeping since you are so “wired.” You may also try to do a lot of things at once, including things you typically wouldn’t or shouldn’t do (like spending a lot of money, talking to random people on the street, quitting your job, or engaging in risky sexual activity). There’s a chance you might also start believing you are Elvis or Beyonce. However, these symptoms tend to last less than a week at a time.
Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you are having that represent a change in mood or behavior.
-
1 AnswerA
Sheri Van Dijk , Psychiatry, answeredYes, psychosis can be a part of bipolar disorder; this can happen in two ways: for people with Bipolar I, psychosis can be a part of a manic episode (psychosis does not occur in hypomania, and therefore people who have a diagnosis of Bipolar II do not experience psychosis when their mood is elevated). Psychosis can also occur during depressive episodes.
It's also important to note, however, that psychosis can also occur in other disorders: some personality disorders, for instance, can cause psychosis; substance abuse can cause psychotic symptoms; and even unipolar depression and post-partum depression can result in these kinds of symptoms. While scary, psychosis can be treated; and just because you experience these symptoms once, doesn't mean they'll return. Just keep in mind that, the sooner you treat psychosis, the quicker it will resolve.
-
1 AnswerA
Donna Hill Howes, RN , Family Medicine, answeredHallucinations are a highly complex mental problem that may occur with severe bipolar depression or mania. With a hallucination, you may experience auditory, visual and tactile sensations that are not real. For example, you may feel a crawling sensation on the skin or movements inside of your body. You may hear voices even when no one is in the room. The voices may scream at you, command you to take an action, or ask you to harm yourself or others. You may also hear music, see lights or smell foul odors that are not really there. -
1 AnswerA
Donna Hill Howes, RN , Family Medicine, answeredWhile bipolar I disorder can result in manic episodes, other disorders and medications can cause the same symptoms of mania. These triggers include: brain and nervous system disorders, such as head injuries, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, seizures, and stroke; connective tissue disorders, such as lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE); serious infections, including HIV/AIDS, influenza, encephalitis, and late stages of sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis; endocrine disorders, including hyperthyroidism; medications, including antidepressants when taken by someone susceptible to mania; and withdrawal from medications/drugs, such as antidepressants, amphetamines, cocaine, steroids (prednisone), levodopa, and methylphenidate.