Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms & Episodes

Manic-depression (now known as bipolar disorder) is a mood disorder. A person suffering from bipolar disorders alternates between extreme highs and extreme lows. The highs are called manic episodes and the lows are called depressive episodes. There are a few symptoms of this mental illness and they vary with each person.

Mania

• With manic episodes a person has a great deal of energy, feels euphoric, behaves recklessly and accomplishes chores and projects. A person may also be aggressive and agitated.

Depression

• With depression, a person loses interest in things that brought him joy, feels hopeless, has low self-esteem and may have thoughts of suicide or try to kill himself.

Hypomania

• This is a less-severe form of mania and is mostly found in people suffering from Bipolar 2, another kind of bipolar disorder. With hypomania, a person feels good about her life and is productive without being hyperactive.

Mixed State

• In a mixed state, a person has symptoms of depression and mania in the same episode. In this phase, there is sadness and low self-esteem coupled with high levels of energy and agitation.

Rapid Cycling

• Rapid cycling is a stressful symptom in which a person switches from highs to lows in rapid succession. Each phase can last several hours to a few days.