Bipolar disorder, which was called manic depression in the past, is a condition that is characterized by extreme mood swings that shift from manic-like symptoms such as irritability and exaggerated euphoria to deep depression. Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center report that a chemical imbalance is at the root of the disorder and is exacerbated by environmental and situational conditions. The symptoms that are displayed help health care providers diagnose the severity of the disease.
Euphoria
The euphoria experienced by bipolar sufferers typically is a high that allows patients to perform at unusually high energy levels. They may take this time to get a lot of things done. Patients in the manic stage of the disease are very optimistic and have a high level of self-esteem. The euphoria is a good feeling that often keeps bipolar patients from receiving treatment because they want to continue to experience the good feelings. During a manic episode, however, patients usually display poor judgment and participate in risky behavior, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. The stage is recognizable when patients begin talking rapidly and jump from thought to thought. They often go on spending sprees and become sexually promiscuous. Irritability and difficulty concentrating are other signs that a bipolar patient is in the manic stage.
Depression
The depression stage of a bipolar patient is characterized by extreme sadness and hopelessness. Patients display a high level of anxiety and have trouble sleeping. They may talk about the uselessness of life and about the viability of committing suicide. During the depression phase, patients often appear fatigued and lose interest in eating. They are not interested in participating in activities that used to excite them. They may have chronic pain without any cause and have trouble concentrating. When periods of depression become severe and life-threatening, patients often need to be hospitalized or committed to a mental facility.
Hallucinations
While many people can be treated with medications that reduce the severity of the bipolar episodes, others develop more severe cases of the disease. Extremely overt episodes of either mania or depression can result in a psychotic break that causes hallucinations and delusions. Patients may break with reality completely and see things that aren't there or believe false ideas they get into their heads. Doctors at the National Institute of Mental Health report that delusions often are exaggerated levels of moods and thoughts that the patient has been experiencing previously. Because of the outlandish level of their claims, people with severe bipolar symptoms often are misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental illnesses.
