BIPOLAR DISORDER WHAT IS IT

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

A person with bipolar disorder can go from feeling very, very high (called mania) to feeling very, very low (depression). This can be disruptive and challenging.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER. . .

Bipolar disorder often starts in the teen years, but can emerge in later life.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time.

Bipolar disorder symptoms are potentially life-threatening, and can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

Tragically, one of five people with bipolar disorder commits suicide.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called "mood episodes." Each mood episode represents a drastic change from a person's usual mood and behaviour.

An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a "MANIC EPISODE", and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a "DEPRESSIVE EPISODE". Sometimes, a mood episode includes symptoms of both mania and depression. This is called a mixed state.

People with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder include. . .

SYMPTOMS OF MANIC EPISODE:

• Excessive energy, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid talking
• Denial that anything is wrong
• Extremely happy feelings
• Easily irritated
• Needing little sleep
• Unrealistic belief in one?s ability
• Poor judgment
• Sustained, unusual behaviour
• Increased sex drive
• Substance abuse
• Aggressive behaviour
• Paranoia

SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSIVE EPISODE:

• Poor appetite or eating too much
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Nervousness and worry
• Loss of interest in and withdrawal from usual activities

• Feelings of sadness that don't go away
• Irritability or restlessness
• Lack of energy
• Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
• Inability to think or concentrate
• Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
• Chronic pain or other physical problems that don't respond to treatment
• Increased risk-taking behaviour, including reckless driving or substance abuse

And so on.

Read CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER for more information.

#StayHealthy

REFERENCES:

NIMH

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

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