Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mood disorder characterized by extreme and often unpredictable shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and activity levels. These mood swings typically alternate between two major states: episodes of mania and episodes of depression.
Here are some common symptoms:
Symptoms of a Manic Episode
- Feeling overly excited
- Extremely irritable, or touchy
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep up to 2-3 days
- Talking fast (“flight of ideas”)
- Excessive appetite for food, or sex
- Increase energy without exhaustion
- Increase sense of importance, or powerful
Symptoms of a Depressive Episode
- Feeling tired, or having little energy
- Feeling bad about yourself
- Trouble concentrating, or making decisions
- Trouble falling asleep, waking up too early
- Forgetfulness
- Lack of interest in almost all activities
- Feeling hopeless and worthless
- Reduced appetite, or overeating