text: what are the symtoms of bi-polar disorder? how does a person who is bi-polar act?? how extreme are the extremes?? during a manic episode, you may be abnormally happy, energetic, or irritable for a week or more. you may spend a lot of money, get involved in dangerous activities, and sleep very little. after a manic episode, you may return to normal, but your mood may swing in the opposite direction to feelings of sadness, depression, and hopelessness. when you are depressed, you may have trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions; have changes in your eating and sleeping habits; and lose interest in things you once enjoyed.