Bipolar disorder symptoms

Bipolar depression is similar to major depression. A person may lose interest in the activities they enjoyed and feel persistently down, empty, hopeless, or worthless. If the depression is severe, the person may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. However, unlike with major depression, people with bipolar depression can also experience mania, which causes feelings of joy and euphoria. Read on to learn more about bipolar depression, including how it differs from major depression, the symptoms, the types, and how to seek help. In bipolar disorder, each change in mood usually lasts • low energy • feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness • difficulty concentrating or remembering • slowed movement or speech • changes in appetite • changes in sleep, such as getting too much or too little • loss of libido In contrast, manic episodes may cause: • high energy • feelings of extreme happiness or joy • a sense of being unusually important, talented, or powerful • excessive talking about different topics • racing thoughts • jumpiness or irritability • impulsive behavior • increased appetite for food, sex, or pleasurable activities • decreased need for sleep To qualify for a bipolar disorder diagnosis, a person must meet the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision ( DSM-5-TR). This means they must have had: • • at least one depressive episode • cycles that vary from depression to mania, with each state lasting several...

Overview What is bipolar disorder? Most people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in adolescence or adulthood, but the symptoms can appear earlier in childhood. There are a few types of bipolar disorder, most of which involve experiencing manic and depressive episodes. However, people with bipolar disorder don’t always experience either manic episodes or depressive episodes. They also experience euthymia, which is a relatively stable mood state in which they are their usual self. During a depressive episode, you experience a low or depressed mood and/or loss of interest in most activities, as well as many other symptoms of How does bipolar disorder affect children? Bipolar disorder is different in children and teenagers than in adults. Adults with bipolar disorder often have clear episodes of mania or depression that last a week or longer. In children and teens, the phases may be less clear, and changes from one episode to the other may happen faster. For example, a child may exhibit periods of giddiness and silliness, anger outbursts, and unprovoked crying all in one day. Bipolar disorder is different from the typical mood swings and ups and downs every child and teenager goes through. The mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme, often unprovoked, and also involve: • Changes in sleep patterns. • Changes in energy level. • Issues with focus and the ability to think clearly. • Bipolar disorder symptoms can make it hard for your child to perform well in school or ...

Other Types Bipolar disorder is sometimes triggered or exacerbated (worsened) by certain medications, such as steroids, interferon-based drugs, levodopa (a Parkinson's disease drug), and certain antidepressants and anti-seizure medications. Drug or alcohol use can also induce symptoms of mania or depression. While many people experience mood swings, mania and hypomania are more radical departures from a person's normal mood, sleep, and behavior and are more sustained than normal mood swings—lasting from days to weeks. These changes are present for much or all of the day and are pronounced enough that those around them take notice. Diagnosis of mania or hypomania requires the presence and persistence of three or more of the following symptoms: • Expressing an inflated or grandiose self-image • Having a markedly decreased need for sleep (feels well rested after only a few hours of sleep) • Being more talkative than normal, being excessively loud, or speaking rapidly • Having racing thoughts and ideas • Being highly distractible, having scattered thoughts and conversations • Being extremely goal orientated (at school or work or sexually) or having physical agitation and restlessness • Practicing risky behaviors, pleasure-seeking without regard for negative consequences (such as going on spending sprees, To be classified as hypomania, these mood symptoms must last for at least four days. To be classified as mania, symptoms must last at least a week, be sufficiently severe to c...

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unexpected and often dramatic shifts in mood. During what’s known as The changes in mood associated with bipolar disorder cause changes in energy too. People experiencing a bipolar disorder episode often have different behaviors, activity levels, and more. This includes A person who’s irritable is easily upset and often bristles at others’ attempts to help them. They may be easily annoyed or aggravated with someone’s requests to talk. If the requests become persistent or other factors come into play, the person may anger easily and often. Keep reading to learn more about what may be behind this emotion and what you can do about it. Anger isn’t a symptom of bipolar disorder, but many people who have the disorder, as well as their family and friends, may report frequent bouts with the emotion. For some people with bipolar disorder, irritability is perceived as anger and may become as severe as rage. A People with bipolar disorder who aren’t receiving treatment or those experiencing a rapid change in mood, or rapid cycling between moods, are more likely to experience periods of irritability too. Anger and rage may follow. A Overall, 34 percent of people experienced severe anxiety, irritability, and agitation. The research included 960 people in total: 665 people who’d experienced a Lithium can help treat symptoms of bipolar disorder. It can also improve the brain chemical imbalances believed to be responsible for the disorder i...

CE credits: 1 Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to: • Discuss how psychologists’ understanding of bipolar disorder has changed over the past 3 decades. • Describe mood states, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for the four bipolar spectrum disorders. • List front-line pharmacological and psychological treatments for bipolar disorder. For more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to In the 1990s, bipolar disorder was seen as a severe, rare, incurable condition found only in adults. Medication, primarily lithium, was the sole treatment offered to most patients. Today, experts are learning that the disorder is more common—affecting about 4% of U.S. children and adults—and presents along a diverse continuum. More than half of patients have their first mood symptoms in childhood or adolescence, a full range of treatments exist, and people with the condition can survive and thrive (Moreira, A. L., et al., ournal of Clinical Psychiatry, Vol. 80, No. 3, 2019). “The more we study bipolar disorder, the more we appreciate its complexity, especially around the onset of symptoms and in the underserved,” said Manpreet K. Singh, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. “There isn’t going to be a single genetic marker, research tool, or treatment plan that resolves this complexity.” Psychologists and psychiatrists studying bipolar disorder are characterizing complexities of the condi...

Bipolar disorder isn’t a rare condition. In fact, the National Institute of Mental Health says that The condition used to be known as manic depression and bipolar disease. Key symptoms of bipolar disorder include: • episodes of • episodes of These episodes may last from a few days to several weeks or longer. If you’re living with bipolar disorder, the following treatment options can help you learn to manage mood episodes, which can improve not only your symptoms but also your overall quality of life. People often use the terms sex and gender interchangeably, but they have different meanings: • “Sex” refers to the physical characteristics that differentiate male, female, and intersex bodies. • “Gender” refers to a person’s identity and how they feel inside. Examples include man, woman, nonbinary, agender, bigender, genderfluid, pangender, and trans. A person’s gender identity may differ from the sex they were assigned at birth. Bipolar II People with bipolar II experience one major depressive episode that lasts at least 2 weeks. They also have at least 1 hypomanic episode that lasts about 4 days. According to a Cyclothymia People with These episodes also involve symptoms that are shorter and less severe than the episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. Most people with this condition experience Your doctor can explain more about what kind of bipolar disorder you have when discussing your diagnosis. Some people experience distinct mood symptoms that resembl...

For some people, bipolar disorder can cause episodes of depression. People can manage bipolar-related depression using medications, therapies, and other treatments. Depending on the type of bipolar a person has, they may experience episodes of These symptoms of depression are similar to those of other depression-related mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder. However, people with bipolar disorder may also experience episodes of mania or hypomania. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but people can manage the symptoms of depression and mania and prevent complications with treatment. This article will discuss the symptoms of and treatments for bipolar depression. Share on Pinterest Tommaso Tuzj/Stocksy Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. Treatments aim to stabilize a person’s mood and help them manage other symptoms. In some cases, a person’s mood changes can be severe. Mental health professionals adapt treatments to the individual to help reduce their impact on daily life and mental well-being. Treatment for bipolar disorder typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Medication There are several types of medication for people with bipolar disorder. The type will depend on the type and severity of symptoms. Some of the most common types of medication for treating bipolar disorder are: • mood stabilizers, such as lithium • antipsychotics, such as olanzapine • These medications can have side effects, some of which can become serious. For...

Overview What is bipolar disorder? Most people are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in adolescence or adulthood, but the symptoms can appear earlier in childhood. There are a few types of bipolar disorder, most of which involve experiencing manic and depressive episodes. However, people with bipolar disorder don’t always experience either manic episodes or depressive episodes. They also experience euthymia, which is a relatively stable mood state in which they are their usual self. During a depressive episode, you experience a low or depressed mood and/or loss of interest in most activities, as well as many other symptoms of How does bipolar disorder affect children? Bipolar disorder is different in children and teenagers than in adults. Adults with bipolar disorder often have clear episodes of mania or depression that last a week or longer. In children and teens, the phases may be less clear, and changes from one episode to the other may happen faster. For example, a child may exhibit periods of giddiness and silliness, anger outbursts, and unprovoked crying all in one day. Bipolar disorder is different from the typical mood swings and ups and downs every child and teenager goes through. The mood changes in bipolar disorder are more extreme, often unprovoked, and also involve: • Changes in sleep patterns. • Changes in energy level. • Issues with focus and the ability to think clearly. • Bipolar disorder symptoms can make it hard for your child to perform well in school or ...

For some people, bipolar disorder can cause episodes of depression. People can manage bipolar-related depression using medications, therapies, and other treatments. Depending on the type of bipolar a person has, they may experience episodes of These symptoms of depression are similar to those of other depression-related mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder. However, people with bipolar disorder may also experience episodes of mania or hypomania. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but people can manage the symptoms of depression and mania and prevent complications with treatment. This article will discuss the symptoms of and treatments for bipolar depression. Share on Pinterest Tommaso Tuzj/Stocksy Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition. Treatments aim to stabilize a person’s mood and help them manage other symptoms. In some cases, a person’s mood changes can be severe. Mental health professionals adapt treatments to the individual to help reduce their impact on daily life and mental well-being. Treatment for bipolar disorder typically involves a combination of medication and therapy. Medication There are several types of medication for people with bipolar disorder. The type will depend on the type and severity of symptoms. Some of the most common types of medication for treating bipolar disorder are: • mood stabilizers, such as lithium • antipsychotics, such as olanzapine • These medications can have side effects, some of which can become serious. For...

CE credits: 1 Learning objectives: After reading this article, CE candidates will be able to: • Discuss how psychologists’ understanding of bipolar disorder has changed over the past 3 decades. • Describe mood states, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for the four bipolar spectrum disorders. • List front-line pharmacological and psychological treatments for bipolar disorder. For more information on earning CE credit for this article, go to In the 1990s, bipolar disorder was seen as a severe, rare, incurable condition found only in adults. Medication, primarily lithium, was the sole treatment offered to most patients. Today, experts are learning that the disorder is more common—affecting about 4% of U.S. children and adults—and presents along a diverse continuum. More than half of patients have their first mood symptoms in childhood or adolescence, a full range of treatments exist, and people with the condition can survive and thrive (Moreira, A. L., et al., ournal of Clinical Psychiatry, Vol. 80, No. 3, 2019). “The more we study bipolar disorder, the more we appreciate its complexity, especially around the onset of symptoms and in the underserved,” said Manpreet K. Singh, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. “There isn’t going to be a single genetic marker, research tool, or treatment plan that resolves this complexity.” Psychologists and psychiatrists studying bipolar disorder are characterizing complexities of the condi...