Dr. Jeanne Segal, psychologist, author and managing editor of HelpGuide.org states that bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that causes extreme highs and lows in moods. Also known as manic-depression, it leads patients to prolonged periods of mania, depression or cycling between the two. While the symptoms are treatable, they must first be recognized.
Bipolar Mania
Euphoria is a common sign of a manic state; it can make people feel overly optimistic and invincible. These feelings often cause people to behave recklessly, chastising those who disagree with their choices and becoming irritated with them. Patients may feel refreshed after very brief periods of sleep and find it difficult to sit still. Other common symptoms of a manic state include speaking rapidly, making poor decisions and suffering from delusions or hallucinations. Some people also find it difficult to concentrate or jump quickly from one thought to the next.
Bipolar Depression
A difference exists between bipolar depression and clinical depression, the largest being that antidepressants do not help relieve the depression phase. In cases of bipolar depression, these medications can make the condition worse. Symptoms that often accompany bipolar depression include sadness, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, lack of concentration, feeling chronic pain for no apparent reason, hopelessness, guilt, having suicidal thoughts, problems with appetite, weight gain and lack of interest in normal activities.
Bipolar Hypomania
The symptoms of hypomania, another facet of bipolar disorder, tend to mirror that of a manic episode. The difference is the extent of the symptoms. Patients diagnosed with hypomania, feel euphoric and full of energy, but these feelings aren't as severe as those experienced during an episode of mania. During hypomania, symptoms are less likely to interfere with everyday functioning, but may still lead to rash decisions.
Bipolar in Children
While symptoms of bipolar disorder in children may be similar to those that adults experience, some symptoms may pertain solely to children. These symptoms include but are not limited to moments of rage that lead to destruction, speaking aloud a desire to kill themselves or others, severe separation anxiety, promiscuity at a young age, telling adults what to do and how to do it, moments of extreme hostility or irritability, drawing a picture or writing a story with graphic scenes of violence and incessant cravings for a specific food or object.
