Early signs of bipolar disorder are often difficult to notice, because they may mimic other problems. Bipolar disorder may first appear in ways that don't even indicate a mental illness, according to Psych Central, a website operated by mental health professionals. People may suffer from alcohol, drug abuse or poor work performance in the early stages as a result of bipolar disorder before other symptoms arise. Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, often strikes patients with periods of manic or excited feelings and phases of severe depression, which may also occur in the early stages.
Periods
One way to distinguish early signs of bipolar disorder from other problems is how long the strange or unusual symptoms last in the person. The episodes of manic or depressive behavior may occur nearly every day for 1 to 2 weeks, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It is often not recognized by friends or relatives at first. When the behavior does start to appear to be odd, the person may deny anything is wrong during the manic stage. It may worsen when left untreated to include severe manic phases and depressive moods. The disease is often diagnosed when the behavior begins to affect the personal life, family or career of the patient.
Manic Behavior
The disorder may first exhibit itself through the manic side in which the person is highly energized. There will be excessive moodiness, impulsive or reckless behavior and irritability. Symptoms of the manic phase include long periods of feeling excited or outgoing along with feelings of being jumpy or agitated. The person may begin to talk very fast or lack focus, such as jumping from one subject to the other. There may be a feeling of restlessness and lack of sleep. The impulsive episodes in the early stages may continually get worse by the person engaging in such activities as risky behavior, spending sprees and careless sex.
Depression
Depressive moods include prolonged sadness, lack of energy and a loss of interest in things that the person once enjoyed. Feelings of worry and anxiety may increase along with feelings of guilt and hopelessness. There may be inability to concentrate or in making decisions. Many people who are not suffering from mental illness experience these feelings at times. But with bipolar patients the feelings can eventually develop into thoughts of death or suicide during the depressive stage of bipolar disorder.
Mixed State
There are also phases when manic and depressive moods happen at the same time. Symptoms during a mixed state may include energized feelings, changes in appetite and agitation along with feelings of deep sadness and hopelessness.
