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What is "Bipolar Disorder?"

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive) is a disease characterized by states of mania and depression. Mania is a state of extreme highs and positive energy, while depression is the opposite: extreme lows and negative energy. Bipolar disorder affects men, women, and children.

Mania Symptoms

o Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

o Excessively "high," euphoric mood
o Extreme irritability
o Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
o Distractibility, lacks concentration
o Little sleep needed
o Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
o Poor judgment
o Spending sprees
o A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
o Increased sexual drive
o Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
o Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
o Denial that anything is wrong

A person is not considered to be experiencing a manic episode unless three or more of the above symptoms are present for most of the day, nearly every day, or longer.

Depression Symptoms

o Lasting sadness, anxiousness, or empty mood
o Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
o Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
o Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
o Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
o Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
o Restlessness or irritability
o Sleeping too much, or can not sleep
o Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
o Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
o Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A person is not considered to be experiencing a depressive episode unless five or more of the above symptoms are present and last most of the day, nearly every day, or longer.

A bipolar individual will cycle between these two states, if left untreated, monthly, weekly, daily, or even several times within the same day. Typically, an episode will build up over a period of time, so it may be hard to notice until it has progressed far (though looking back one can see the symptoms were there all along). Once an episode is recognized, it is imperative to get help.

A mild form of mania, called hypomania, will make one feel good and have increased productivity. This type of mania can lead one to be driven and often leads to success. The downside is that hypomania can easily change to severe mania or depression if left unchecked. Hypomania

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