Bipolar Disorder
From Cross the Hurdles
What is Bipolar Disorder
It is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder which causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder can quickly swing from extremes of happiness, energy and clarity to sadness, fatigue and confusion.
Bipolar disorder often develops in a person's late teens or early adult years. At least half of all cases start before age 25.
Symptoms
There are alternate cycles of mania and depression. The symptoms vary widely in their pattern, severity, and frequency.
Common signs and symptoms of mania include:
- Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic OR extremely irritable
- Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
- Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
- Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
- Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
- Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
- Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
- Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences
- Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)
Common symptoms of bipolar depression include:
*Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty. *Irritability *Inability to experience pleasure *Fatigue or loss of energy *Physical and mental sluggishness *Appetite or weight changes *Sleep problems *Concentration and memory problems *Feelings of worthlessness or guilt *Thoughts of death or suicide
