Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Related Information:

Bipolar disorder is a condition that is also known as manic depression. Sufferers of this disorder tend to experience mood swings, which can vary in severity and duration from person to person. The moods can swing from feeling elated and high during the manic episodes to feeling low and depressed during the depressed episodes. Bipolar disorder symptoms can vary depending on the mood of the sufferer (whether he or she is experiencing a manic episode or a depressed one). The thinking and behaviour of the sufferer changes depending on the type of episode being experienced at the time, hence the signs and symptoms also change.

Manic episodes

During manic episodes sufferers may experience symptoms such as:

• Ideas of grandeur
• Sudden need to socialize at all hours
• Sexual obsession
• Demanding and angry
• Making others feel worthless
• Excess energy
• Overspending or wasting money
• Talking loudly and quickly

Depressed episodes

During depressed episodes sufferers may experience symptoms such as:

• Fatigue, mental and physical
• Appetite changes
• Sleep pattern disturbances
• Pessimism
• Anxiety and fear
• Loss of interest in general
• Loss of libido
• Low self esteem
• Hostile and irritable

Hypomanic episodes

Sufferers may also experience hypomania, where the symptoms are like those suffered during a manic episode but are not quite as severe. Symptoms normally persist for at least four days with this type of episode.

Mixed episodes

Sufferers of bipolar disorder may also suffer from mixed episodes, and this is where mania and depression are both experienced on a daily basis for a week or more.

Bipolar disorder is truly a condition of ups and downs, although the level of the ups and downs will vary depending on the severity of the disease. There area a number of treatments available to help control and treat bipolar disorder, and the treatment used will depend on a number of factors such as the severity of the problem. The doctor will advise the sufferer of the treatment required following assessment of the severity and duration of episodes.