What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar Disorder, also commonly referred to as Manic-Depressive Disorder is characterized by mood swings that range from slight depression to highs of mania. People suffering from Bipolar Disorder tend to feel sad, hopeless and often lose interest in most activities. However, when an individual experiences a mood swing he/she feels euphoric and full of energy. In some rare cases an individual might experience depression and mania at the same time. Bipolar Disorder is a long term condition which requires proper treatment.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Elevated Mood

The maniac phase of the bipolar disorder is a high-energy state; an individual usually feels high-spirited but still has control over his/her actions. Some individuals may experience Euphoria and improved creativity during the Maniac phase. This is also known as the ‘up side’ of Bipolar disorder and many people enjoy this phase; till it lasts.

Inefficiency

One of the most common symptoms of Bipolar disorder is the inefficiency to perform simple tasks, work or school. This is because people suffering from this disorder are easily distracted and cannot concentrate on a certain task properly, which leads to half-completed work or projects.

Depression

Severe depression is a very common symptom of bipolar disorder. Typically, an individual who is suffering from a bipolar depressive state will display the symptoms of regular depression. Any individual who is suffering from the depressive phase of bipolar disorder is likely to have sleeping problems, feelings of hopelessness and poor concentration. Moreover, antidepressants for patients suffering from this disorder generally don’t mix well.  Indeed, bipolar disorder patients may be sent to a state of mania.

Frustration

Patients of bipolar disorder may experience "mixed mania," whereby they undergo the symptoms of both mania and depression simultaneously; leading to feelings of frustration.
This particular symptom, like depression, is very tricky to recognize; taking into account the fact that most individuals tend to experience frustration. However, the distinguishing factor would be when frustration manages to interfere in relationships and personal lives. Patients suffering from bipolar disorder tend to have less self control over their aggravation and are more likely to have drastic reactions. 

Hasty Communication

Individuals with bipolar disorder will typically talk really fast. This is known as ‘pressured speech’ and is one of the most common symptoms of Bipolar disorder. The individual will speak exceptionally fast and will talk over you, if you try to say something; this means he would rather have a one way conversation. You will also notice that the individual will jump from one topic to another very fast.

Issues at School/Workplace

People suffering from Bipolar disorder usually face problems at school or the workplace. This is because the various symptoms of the disorder hinder with the ability to concentrate and work efficiently. Trouble sleeping, irritability, depression and mood swings are some of the symptoms that obstruct the ability to excel at school or the workplace.

Erratic Behavior

In the manic phase of the Bipolar disorder, people usually have an inflated self-esteem. They feel grandiose and don’t consider the consequence before doing anything. Everything sounds tempting; such behavior leads to spending sprees and unusual sexual behavior.

Sleep Problems

Individuals suffering from Bipolar disorder usually encounter sleeping problem. During the manic phase an individual would feel energetic and would not sleep at all whereas in the depressive phase a person might feel really tired and would end up sleeping more than usual.

Flight of Thoughts

This is one of the symptoms that are very difficult to recognize. Individuals suffering from Bipolar Disorder often feel that their mind is working too fast, constantly switching from one thought to another. This gives a feeling of unease.

Types of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar 1 Disorder

Mood swings associated with Bipolar 1 creates a lot of difficult in carrying out daily activity and maintaining a normal work or school routine. The manic episodes that an individual suffers from in this disorder can be dangerous and severe.

Bipolar 2 Disorder

Bipolar 2 is considered to be less severe as compared to Bipolar 1. Individuals suffering from Bipolar 2 may experience elevated mood, irritability and changes in functioning. However, an individual does not face any problems carrying out daily activities. The patient may suffer from Hypomania which is a less severe form of mania. The periods of depression experience by Bipolar 2 patients are generally longer.

Cyclothymic disorder

This is a mild form of Bipolar disorder. The depression and Hypomania experienced by patients in this disorder can be disruptive. However, the highs and lows are not as severe as other types of Bipolar disorders.