Bipolar Disorder Signs & Symptoms - Mania & Depression

The signs and symptoms of the manic phase of bipolar disorder may include:

* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Agitation
* Extreme irritability
* Increased energy, physical activity, and restlessness
* Decreased need for sleep
* Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
* Racing thoughts
* Rapid speech, jumping from one idea to another, or excessive talk
* Poor Concentration
* Euphoria, excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme optimism
* Inflated self-esteem
* Denial that anything is wrong
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Drug abuse, particularly marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, or sleeping medications
* Impulsiveness, a reckless pursuit of gratification (spending sprees, spontaneous travel, more and sometimes promiscuous sex, high-risk business investments, speeding)
* Poor judgment
* Risky behavior
* Increased sexual drive

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel the same as those in a manic state, but their symptoms are milder than those of mania and much less disruptive. Unlike manics, people with hypomania never suffer from delusions and hallucinations. They are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives. To others, it may seem as if the hypomanic individual is merely in an unusually good mood. But unfortunately, hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode.

The depressive phase of Bipolar Disorder is very similar to that of major depression. However, there are some notable differences. When compared to major depression, bipolar depression is more likely to include symptoms of low energy. People with bipolar depression tend to move and speak slowly and sleep a lot. They are also more likely to have psychotic depression, a condition in which they've lost contact with reality.

The signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder may include:

* Persistent Depressed/Sad/Lonely/Empty Moods
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of helplessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt, or worthlessness
* Low self-esteem
* Loss or diminished interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Significant weight loss or gain / decrease or increase in appetite
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms without a known cause
* Fatigue, decreased energy or feeling of being "slowed down"
* Slow speech, fatigue, and poor coordination
* Sleep disturbances; sleeping too much or can't sleep
* Anxiety
* Irritability
* Restlessness
* Psycho-Motor Agitation (i.e. Pacing, Tapping Fingers/Feet, Abruptly Starting & Stopping Tasks, Meaninglessly Moving Objects Around, Pulling Off Clothing & Putting It Back On)
* Diminished ability to think , poor concentration, indecisiveness
* Difficulty remembering or making decisions
* Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behavior
* Symptoms cause impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of life

Sometimes, severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly held beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person's usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is the President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness.

Living with untreated bipolar disorder can cause problems in everything from your career to your relationships to your outlook on life. Diagnosing the problem as early as possible and starting a comprehensive treatment plan can help prevent these complications. While dealing with bipolar disorder isn't always easy, it doesn't have to run your life. But in order to successfully manage bipolar disorder, it is essential to fully understand the condition and its challenges. Click on one of the links below to learn how to keep your symptoms under control with natural supplements, herbal remedies, alternative therapies and a healthy lifestyle.

Natural Supplements for Treating Bipolar Disorder

Natural Remedies for Treating Bipolar Disorder

Alternative Therapies & Treatments for Bipolar Disorder

The Bipolar Survival Guide: What You & Your Family Need to Know
is a must read for anyone suffering with Bipolar Disorder, their family members, and the physicians and therapists who treat them. It covers the origins, symptoms, and treatments for bipolar disorder, with emphasis on current medications. It spends a good deal of time on issues exclusive to the sufferer how to come to terms with the diagnosis, whom to confide in, and how to recognize one's own mood swings. This is a great tool for patients and families seeking to lessen the impact of this disorder on their lives.