Bipolar Symptoms 

Bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic depression, is basically a cycle of behavioral and mood patterns a patient alternates between, experiencing extreme highs and lows. The symptoms during the high episode phase, known as manic episodes, are distinctly different from the low episode phase, known as major depressive episodes. There are varying degrees in the severity of the symptoms of bipolar, as well. The DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), has developed specific criteria, together with a complete listing of the symptoms for each phase, in order to assist mental health professionals in their diagnoses of the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Manic Episodes
Bipolar disorder symptoms present during the manic episodes are generally recognized by the patient exhibiting an elevated or highly excitable mood. The mood may be euphoric or irritable in nature but always in a heightened state, and lasting for at least a week or longer. The bipolar symptoms associated with this cycle include:

1. Feelings of self-importance or grandeur, as if (s)he can be or do anything.
2. Increased energy despite decreased sleep, restlessness.
3. Changes in speech patterns, such as rapid speaking, uncontrollable rhyming
of words, and/or unintelligible speech.
4. Racing and/or uncontrollable thought patterns.
5. Overindulgent or excessive behavior in activities such as shopping or sex,
taking unnecessary risks, or making inappropriate life changes.
6. Heightened moods such as hostility, excitability, or euphoria.
7. In extreme cases, auditory or visual hallucinations and/or paranoia.

Major Depressive Episodes
Bipolar disorder symptoms exhibited during the major depressive episodes present themselves regularly during the same two-week period and show a marked change in how the patient functions from previous episodes. The symptoms occur usually on a daily basis, and in order to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, at least one of the symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure must be present during this phase. The bipolar symptoms present during the major depressive episodes phase may include:

1. A depressed mood which usually lasts most of the day, every day.
2. Loss of ability to gain pleasure from or enjoy most activities on a daily basis.
3. Loss of appetite and subsequent loss of weight; or alternatively, weight gain.
(Change of more than 5% in body weight in a month.)
4. Change in sleeping patterns resulting in restless sleep, insomnia or desire to
oversleep.
5. Psychomotor retardation resulting in slowed movement and speech.
6. Fatigue or lethargy.
7. Diminished feelings of self worth, or extreme feelings of guilt.
8. Inability to concentrate.
9. Recurrent thoughts of suicide or harming oneself.

Hypomanic Episode
In addition to the symptoms of bipolar disorder listed for the two distinct phases above, the DSM-IV has set forth a separate listing of symptoms for a less severe episode of bipolar disorder known as Hypomanic Episode. In this instance, the symptoms are the same as for Manic Episodes; however, they are not severe enough to require hospitalization or interfere with the patient’s daily business or social interactions.

Back To Bipolar Disorder Main Page

Back To Health Information Main Page