Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme and unusual mood shifts. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, these mood changes can greatly interfere with a person's ability to perform daily tasks. Although treatment is available, you must first detect the signs. These are categorized according to the type of mood.
Signs of Manic Episodes
Manic episodes are one of four distinct moods people with bipolar may experience. In the beginning, the person may feel extremely or unusually happy. He may have high energy levels--so much so that he is considered hyperactive--yet he sleeps very little.
Feeling invincible is another common trait of mania, which often results in one acting recklessly and impulsively and giving no thought to the consequences of his actions. He may take his entire savings to a casino to gamble, believing that he's such a great card player he can't lose.
His mind races, his thoughts jumping from one to the other. When he speaks, it's so fast that others can't understand or keep up with him. And his ability to concentrate is nil, as he is easily distracted by everything around him.
When it comes to judgment, he's unable to make sound decisions and often acts on impulse. During this time, he may become sexually promiscuous or use illegal drugs in excess. When someone attempts to point out where he's wrong, he becomes angry, and sometimes hostile. He may even start fights with others over trivial matters that he blows out of proportion. In the most severe situations, he may become delusional or begin hallucinating, losing complete touch with reality. If this occurs, hospitalization may be necessary.
Hypomania Phase
Hypomania is a form of mania; it's simply less severe. Signs of hypomania are very similar to those of a manic episode, but they don't interfere with a person's ability to function. Though he's still unusually happy, it generally comes across as a good mood rather than euphoria. And though he may still make decisions that are detrimental to himself and the relationships he has, he never quite reaches the point at which he loses his grip on reality. According to HelpGuide.org, many episodes of hypomania become full-blown manic episodes, or are followed by episodes of depression.
Stage of Depression
In years past, it was believed that there was a commonality between clinical depression and bipolar depression. The difference became clear, though. Clinical depression can be treated with antidepressants, but these medications worsen the symptoms of depression due to bipolar. They cause manic or hypomaniac episodes.
When experiencing a depressive episode, it's common for a person to feel hopeless, sad and empty. She moved and spoke rapidly during her manic phase but now moves and speaks slowly. And though she's sleeping more hours than she's awake, she suffers from lethargy and fatigue.
During this time, she may feel irritable and unable to enjoy her normal activities. Her appetite and weight begin to change. Her concentration and memory are both affected, and feelings of worthlessness begin to plague her. As this stage progresses, she's at greater risk for developing psychotic depression, which causes her to again lose her grip on reality. Now is the time when thoughts of suicide or suicidal behavior may be prevalent, and she may need close monitoring.
Understanding Mixed Episodes
Mixed episodes are a combination of two of the above mentioned phases--either mania and depression or hypomania and depression. It takes the very worst symptoms of these phases and combines them, creating a recipe for disaster.
The distractability, anxiety and high energy levels, mixed with the insomnia, irritability and decreased mood levels, increase the risk of suicide during this time.
