Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Management & Support

Bipolar disorder, sometimes known as manic depression, is a long-term mental disorder that typically is diagnosed in early adulthood. There is no cure for bipolar disorder, although it can be managed with drugs and therapy.

Symptoms

• Those with bipolar disorder are prone to unpredictable and sudden shifts of mood. Hostile and irritable behavior is common to bipolar illness.

Episodes

• Symptoms of bipolar disorder manifest themselves as episodes. Episodes are distinct, abnormal emotional states that alternate between overexcitability and depression.

Manic

• Manic episodes involve overly happy moods and excited, sometimes erratic, behavior. Fast talking, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior and agitation are common during manic episodes.

Depressive

• Alternating with manic episodes are depressive episodes characterized by withdrawal from activities and social bonds, worry, hopelessness and sometimes a preoccupation with death and suicide. Patterns of sleeping and eating may be altered during a manic episode.

Mixed State

• A mixed state is an episode that has characteristics of both manic and depressive episodes. A mixed state also may have rapidly alternating manic and depressive episodes of a shorter duration.