Bipolar Disorder/Manic-Depressive Information

Bi-Polar Disorder Information

Bi-polar disorder is a condition in which people go from really happy on-top-of-the-world attitude to I-hate-life attitude and back again. Sometimes it can be months in between phases, sometimes it is happy one day, depressed the next.

SYMPTOMS

Manic (happy) phase

Easily distracted
Little need for sleep
Poor judgment
Poor temper control
Reckless behavior and lack of self control
Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
Poor judgment
Sex with many partners (promiscuity)
Spending sprees

Very elevated mood
Excess activity (hyperactivity)
Increased energy
Racing thoughts
Talking a lot
Very high self-esteem (false beliefs about self or abilities)

Very involved in activities
Very upset (agitated or irritated)

These symptoms occur in Bipolar I. Bipolar II is the same, just not as intense.


Depressive (sad) phase

Daily low mood or sadness
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Eating problems
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Overeating and weight gain

Fatigue or lack of energy
Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Loss of self-esteem
Thoughts of death and suicide
Trouble getting to sleep or sleeping too much
Pulling away from friends or activities that were once enjoyed

There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. Patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can make the symptoms and suicide risk worse.

Sometimes the two phases overlap. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur together or quickly one after the other in what is called a mixed state.

Spoiler:

Good work Cam.