Symptoms and diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
 Depression and Bipolar Disorder
A person experiencing an episode of bipolar disorder may have extreme mood swings, going from a euphoric mood to deep sadness and back again, often feeling normal in between. The periods of euphoria and sadness are call episodes of mania and depression.
Episodes of depression are characterized by a persistent sadness, anxiety, a feeling of hopelessness or being 'empty'; a declining interest in activities that are usually enjoyed; an unexplained loss of energy; eating significantly more or less; increased agitation, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness and guilt; problems with thinking or concentrating, and thoughts of death and suicide. If five or more symptoms are experienced together for most of the day, for the most of 2 weeks or more, then a depressive episode is diagnosed.
Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar II is hard to recognize even by a physician and is very often misdiagnosed as depression. Persons with this type will have one or more episodes of depression and at least one hypomanic episode. A hypomanic is like a manic episode but is not severe. To be sure that it is a sign of Bipolar II the hypomanic episode must be totally different from the person non-depressed mood. Usually, these episodes are not as noticeable as with Bipolar Disorder 1, but they can be very bothersome to the person with the disorder.
The following signs should be reported to your physician, receiving help early is the best way to ensure a normal life.
- Several Days of energetic or irritable mood.
- Feeling over-confident.
- Requiring less sleep than normal.
- More talkative.
- Sporadic thoughts.
- Trouble concentrating and easily distracted.
- Spending more time in pleasurable activities or high risk activities including sex.
- Do or saying things that are out of your character.
- Others notice that you are acting different.
Mania and Bipolar Disorder
People having an episode of mania experience an usually elevated mood and/or irritability and 3 or more of the following symptoms: agitation, extreme need to talk and racing thoughts, easily distracted; decreased interest in sleeping or sleeping too much; highly-inflated self-esteem; increased interest in activities such as cleaning the house and shopping; increased sexual drive, excessive involvement in risky activities. A manic episode is diagnosed if the elevated mood and symptoms co-occur nearly every day for most of a week.
Symptoms of psychosis
Symptoms of psychosis may accompany severe depression or mania, including hearing, seeing, or smelling things that do not exist, and holding unreasonable beliefs in one's abilities, such as being able to see into the future and speak with spirits. Psychotic symptoms co-occurring with bipolar disorder usually mirror the current mood state, for example, a person experiencing an episode of mania may be unjustifiably optimistic, while a person suffering a depressive episode may be unjustifiably pessimistic.
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