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The signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can be different in each person.

 

Symptoms of depression include:

*Feeling sad or blue, or “down in the dumps”     *Loss of interest in things the person used to enjoy, including sex

*Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty   *Sleeping too little or too much     *Changes in weight or appetite

*Feeling tired or having little or no energy     *Feeling restless     *Problems concentrating or making decisions

*Thoughts of death or suicide

 

One person describes depression this way:
"I doubt completely my ability to do anything well. It seems as though my mind has slowed down and burned out to the point of being virtually useless. [I am] haunt[ed]…with the total, the desperate hopelessness of it all…Others say, 'It's only temporary, it will pass, you will get over it.' But of course they haven't any idea of how I feel, although they are certain they do. If I can't feel, move, think, or care, then what on earth is the point?"

 

Symptoms of mania include:

*Increased energy level     *Less need for sleep     *Racing thoughts or mind jumps around     *Easily distracted

*More talkative than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking     *More self-confident than usual

*Focused on getting things done, but often completing little   

 *Risky or unusual activities to the extreme, even if it’s likely bad things will happen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One person describes mania this way:
"The fast ideas become too fast and there are far too many…overwhelming confusion replaces clarity… Your friends become frightened…everything is now against the grain…you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped."

 

Hypomania is a milder form of mania that has similar but less severe symptoms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Recognizing Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, can be hard to detect because the symptoms can be similar to other mood                            disorders. Some people have the condition for 10 years or more before a healthcare provider diagnoses it.

The reason for this might have to do with the symptoms.   When people are feeling manic or hypomanic, they are full of energy.                              They usually feel good. They feel "high on life" and don’t always seek help.

On the other hand, people are more likely to seek help when they fall into depression. When people feel depressed, they are likely to                      describe only depression symptoms to their healthcare provider. They may not mention the times when they are feeling “high on life,”                           since depression is what they are feeling at the time. Therefore, it’s common for a person to be incorrectly diagnosed with major                            depression instead of bipolar disorder.

In fact, nearly half of all patients who have bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, will first be diagnosed with major                            depression. That’s why it’s important for people to say how they’ve been feeling weeks and even months before the day they talk                                 to their healthcare provider in order to make it easier for the right diagnosis.

Many of the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder can also be associated with other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders and                              schizophrenia. This can make it even harder for a healthcare provider to make a correct diagnosis