Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder typically consists of three stages. A high state called mania, a low state, called depression, a well state, during which the person feels normal and functions well. It is sometime known as manic depression. Classified as Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2

The “high” feeling is called a manic episode, in which the person experiences an abnormally elevated or irritable mood. 

• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• Racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• More talkative than usual
• Increase in normal activities (e.g. social, occupational)
• Engaging in impulsive and potentially risky activities (e.g. excessive shopping, sexual indiscretions)

The “low” feeling is called a depressive episode, in which the person experiences either a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. Sleep disturbances (either sleeping too little or too much)

• Significant unintentional weight loss or weight gain
• Fatigue or loss of energy 
• Restlessness or being slowed down
• Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Difficulty in thinking or concentrating
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation