re some key symptoms that may be observed:
- Feeling very up, high, elated, extremely irritable, or touchy
- Feeling jumpy or wired, or being more active than usual
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep
- Talking fast about a lot of different things (“flight of ideas”)
- Excessive appetite for food, drinking, sex, or other pleasurable activities
- Feeling able to do many things at once without getting tired
- Feeling unusually important, talented, or powerful
Let’s think about Jane again, our attorney living with Bipolar I disorder. During her manic episodes, she might feel invincible, capable of handling multiple high-stakes cases at once. She might sleep less, spending hours into the night researching and preparing. She might also make impulsive decisions, like making large purchases or taking on unrealistic workloads.
Hypomanic Episode Symptoms
Hypomanic episodes, a less severe form of manic episodes, are a defining characteristic of Bipolar II disorder. While sharing many of the symptoms of a manic episode, hypomania is typically shorter (lasting at least four consecutive days) and less severe. It's also less likely to cause impairment in daily functioning or necessitate hospitalization.
- A noticeable and persistent elevated, expansive, or irritable mood.
- Increased activity or energy levels.
- Grandiose or overly confident self-esteem.
- Less need for sleep.
- More talkative than usual, or pressure to keep talking.
- Thoughts racing or feeling like your mind is incredibly sharp.
- Easily distracted, with attention pulled in many directions.
- Increased involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., excessive buying sprees, engaging in ill-advised business decisions).
Think of Tom, our musician with Bipolar II disorder. During his hypomanic episodes, he might feel a surge of creativity, composing music for hours with little sleep. He might take on numerous projects and feel incredibly productive. Yet, these symptoms are less severe and less noticeable to others than what Jane experiences during her manic episodes.
Depressive episodes are characterized by a period of at least two weeks where the individual feels depressed or loses interest in almost all activities. These episodes can occur in both Bipolar I and II disorders.
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities
- Significant weight loss (when not dieting) or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
- Physical agitation or slowing down of thoughts and reduction of physical movements.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Feeling worthless or excessively guilty.
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
In their depressive episodes, both Jane and Tom might experience intense feelings of sadness, lose interest in their work, and struggle with daily tasks. They might sleep too much or too little, struggle with concentration, and even have thoughts of death or suicide.
Please note that these are not exhaustive lists, and not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience all these symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help. Bipolar disorder can be effectively managed with the right treatment, allowing those living with the condition to lead healthy and productive lives.
These distinctions are critical in making a diagnosis, but the symptoms can overlap with other disorders, making it challenging. This is where the importance of professional evaluation and early identification comes in.
Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder
To diagnose bipolar disorder a psychiatrist may complete a physical
exam and order medical testing to rule out other illnesses.
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed based on the severity, length, and frequency of an
individual’s symptoms and experiences over their lifetime.
Some people have bipolar disorder for years before it’s diagnosed.
Misdiagnosis can happen some bipolar disorder symptoms are li