3 Ways to Recognize Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

1. Recognize the Symptoms of Mania

A feeling of being "high on life" is typical of a manic episode. When you're experiencing mania, you'll likely need little sleep, your energy level will be high and you'll feel euphoric. However, you'll probably also experience racing thoughts, become overly talkative and have trouble sitting still. You'll also want to take on many different projects, because ideas will come to you one after the other in rapid succession.

Despite your enthusiasm, you probably won't finish any of your projects, because you'll be distracted so easily. You might develop a feeling of invulnerability, which could prompt you to engage in dangerous activities. Taken to the extreme, a manic episode could ultimately lead to irritability and a feeling of being out of control.

2. Recognize the Symptoms of Depression

At its most basic, being depressed means feeling sad. In bipolar disorder, the depression is far deeper than this. You may start to have feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Your concentration will probably suffer and may sleep too much or too little. You might begin to lose interest in things that you used to enjoy, because you won't see the point in anything. Profound depression may produce thoughts of suicide.

3. Recognize the Signs of Hypomania

Some people with bipolar disorder don't have major manic episodes. Instead, they have something called hypomania, a condition similar to mania, except that the feelings of being "up" are milder. If you have hypomania, you may simply appear to be more cheerful than other people. You may also feel exceptionally creative. On its own, hypomania is not usually a dangerous condition. However, if you have hypomania as part of bipolar disorder, you'll require treatment, due to the frequent incidence of suicidal feelings in bipolar people.