Signs You Could Be Bipolar
Initially, it might be difficult to decide whether you are experiencing intense mood swings that might be associated with stress or life changes. Bipolar disorder can present quite differently and can vary in severity, frequency and types of symptoms. However, if you are reading this article, you may already suspect that something more is going on. The following signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder might help you decide whether you need to seek professional help to make a formal determination regarding your diagnosis and treatment.
- Mood episodes: These are typically much more intense and obvious than normal mood swings. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience extreme highs and lows in their moods, known as manic episodes (mania and hypomania), mixed episodes and periods of depression. To be officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a person must experience a range of mood episodes, rather than only one, such as depression. The frequency or occurrence of the episodes is irrelevant to the diagnosis. Some people may have only a few manic or depressive episodes in a lifetime, while others may experience mood episodes regularly for years. These mood episodes often change the very personality of the individual and family members, friends and co-workers often notice them. These mood episodes change the level of energy and activity of the person and sometimes are accompanied by irritable or explosive reactions to events and communication.
- Mania: In some cases, episodes of mania may be enjoyable for the bipolar individual. Elevated levels of energy, heightened creative energy and a sense of euphoria often accompany manic periods. Mania is sometimes identifiable by others due to the affected person talking very rapidly, staying awake for long periods of time, and being highly excitable and hyperactive. However, in manic episodes, the person may begin to lose control, engaging in uncharacteristic and reckless behavior, such as inappropriate sexual behavior, extreme shopping involving large unplanned purchases, compulsive gambling or unwise business decisions. Manic individuals can become aggressive and angry or may hallucinate or lose touch with reality altogether. Hypomania is a milder version of mania and includes many of the same symptoms to a lesser degree.