Bipolar disorder symptoms

Bipolar disorder, commonly known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness is a mental sickness characterized by mood instability which range from a depression to a disorder. This may lasts weeks or months which may worsen and lead to suicide.

There are no proven causes but some factors seem to trigger the disorder. This includes biochemical factors (physical changes in the brain and hormonal imbalances), genetic factors (biological family members that have a history of the illness), and environmental factors (self-esteem, loss or high stress).

There are two phases of bipolar disorder characterized by different symptoms: The Manic phase where the mood is irritable and some more symptoms are present; and the Depressive phase.

Manic phase symptoms include:

• Euphoria – characterized by excessively high to overly good euphoric mood
• Extreme optimism
• Inflated self-esteem
• Poor judgment
• Rapid speech, racing thoughts and risky behavior
• Provocative, intrusive and aggressive behavior and increased physical activity
• Agitation
• Spending sprees
• Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
• Increased sexual drive
• Decreased need for sleep
• Easily distracted, inability to concentrate, and extreme irritability
• Drug abuse particularly with cocaine, alcohol and sleep medications

Depressive phase symptoms include:

• Feeling of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Anxiety, sleep and appetite problems
• Fatigue
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Problems in concentrating, remembering and decision-making
• Irritability
• Chronic pain without a known cause

Extreme phases of depression tend to show symptoms of psychosis that includes hallucinations and delusions. It is also possible that symptoms of both mania and depression are apparent in a state called mixed bipolar state. Symptoms include agitation, sleeping troubles, significant appetite changes, psychosis and suicidal thinking.

Symptoms of the disorder vary and progresses. It is better to seek medical help the soonest possible you notice important people around you depicting probable signs of bipolar disorder.