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Bipolar Disorder: Signs and Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep, activity levels, and behavior. These periods are called "mood episodes" and include manic episodes, depressive episodes, or mixed episodes with symptoms of both mania and depression. There are four main types of bipolar disorder that are defined by the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced. Signs and symptoms of manic episodes include feeling very happy or energized, having increased activity levels, and needing less sleep; while depressive episode symptoms include feeling sad, empty or hopeless, having low energy, and changes in sleep and appetite.

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Briggitte Gozo Dela Pena
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136 views1 page

Bipolar Disorder: Signs and Symptoms

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder characterized by periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep, activity levels, and behavior. These periods are called "mood episodes" and include manic episodes, depressive episodes, or mixed episodes with symptoms of both mania and depression. There are four main types of bipolar disorder that are defined by the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced. Signs and symptoms of manic episodes include feeling very happy or energized, having increased activity levels, and needing less sleep; while depressive episode symptoms include feeling sad, empty or hopeless, having low energy, and changes in sleep and appetite.

Uploaded by

Briggitte Gozo Dela Pena
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Prepared by: Archie P.

Dela Peña

Bipolar Disorder
Overview
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes
unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood,
energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and
energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known
as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

 Bipolar I Disorder— defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic
symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually,
depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression
with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also
possible.
 Bipolar II Disorder— defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes,
but not the full-blown manic episodes described above.
 Cyclothymic Disorder (also called cyclothymia)— defined by numerous periods of
hypomanic symptoms as well numerous periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2
years (1 year in children and adolescents). However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic
requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.
 Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders— defined by bipolar
disorder symptoms that do not match the three categories listed above.

Signs and Symptoms

People with bipolar disorder experience


periods of unusually intense emotion,
changes in sleep patterns and activity People having a manic People having a depressive
levels, and unusual behaviors. These episode may: episode may:
distinct periods are called “mood
episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically
different from the moods and behaviors Feel very “up,” “high,” or  Feel very sad, down,
that are typical for the person. Extreme elated empty, or hopeless
changes in energy, activity, and sleep go Have a lot of energy  Have very little energy
along with mood episodes. Have increased activity  Have decreased activity
levels levels
Sometimes a mood episode includes Feel “jumpy” or “wired”  Have trouble sleeping,
symptoms of both manic and depressive
symptoms. This is called an episode with
Have trouble sleeping they may sleep too little
mixed features. People experiencing an Become more active than or too much
episode with mixed features may feel usual  Feel like they can’t
very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at Talk really fast about a lot of enjoy anything
the same time feeling extremely different things  Feel worried and empty
energized.
Be agitated, irritable, or  Have trouble
Bipolar disorder can be present even “touchy” concentrating
when mood swings are less extreme. Feel like their thoughts are  Forget things a lot
For example, some people with bipolar going very fast  Eat too much or too little
disorder experience hypomania, a less Think they can do a lot of  Feel tired or “slowed
severe form of mania. During a things at once down”
hypomanic episode, an individual may
feel very good, be highly productive, and  Think about death or
function well. The person may not feel  suicide
that anything is wrong, but family and
friends may recognize the mood swings
and/or changes in activity levels as
possible bipolar disorder. Without proper
treatment, people with hypomania may
develop severe mania or depression

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