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Bipolar Symptoms
Bipolar symptoms have no set patterns and can occur erratically. The severity of mood changes can also differ from one patient to another. Specific moods may occur for weeks, months or years, before switching to the opposite mood.
There are three major bipolar symptoms that are specific to this condition:
Hypomania
Hypomania is the less severe bipolar symptom and form of mania. It is a symptom that may not be perceived as a psychological problem. For the individual who is experiencing hypomania, the feeling may be good and positive. A greater sense of productivity and well-being may be experienced at the onset to the peak of hypomania.
Feelings of strong self-confidence, sensuality, euphoria, power, ease, omnipotence and sexual urge may be manifested during a course of hypomania. However, this bipolar symptom can switch either into mania or depression.
Mania
Mania is the bipolar symptom that usually involves extreme emotional switches- from positive to negative or hostile feelings. Some patients can become psychotic because of the increased mind activity.
A manic episode is characterized by five or more of the following symptoms that can occur on a daily basis in a span of 2 weeks or more:
extreme hopefulness, happiness and excitement
abrupt switch from being happy to being angry, irritable and hostile
increased energy, restlessness and the less need for rest/sleep
talkativeness and/or rapid talking
being distracted easily and/or quite often
rapid thoughts
increased sex drive
increases impulsivity and tendencies
increased confidence - that can lead to unrealistic goals, self belief, power
Intense and extreme depressive emotions can occur in periods of weeks to months and longer. If left untreated, depression can wreak havoc in any harmonious relationship that the individual has. He/she may feel hopeless and useless, and may shut everyone out of his/her life during episodes of extreme depression.
An extreme episode of depression is characterized by five or more of the following symptoms that can occur on a daily basis in a span of 2 weeks or more:
sadness, irritability, anxiousness
lack of energy
feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt
lack of interest on things that used to be pleasurable or enjoyable
trouble concentrating
crying uncontrollably
trouble making decisions
increased need for rest/sleep
thoughts of suicide/death that can lead to suicidal tendencies
change in appetite that can lead to weight gain/loss
In worse cases, a bipolar symptom of depression can lead to psychosis that may involve delusional feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Individuals may also suffer feelings of being penniless, being ruined or having committed a serious crime.
Depressive symptoms should be treated immediately to prevent emotional changes [such as switching of depression to mania]. Therapy and prescription medications can be given to alleviate this symptom.
Bipolar symptoms are difficult to cope with especially if you live with a person who has bipolar disorder. Extreme emotional ups and downs are common and can be disruptive to both the patient and his/her loved ones.
Early detection of these extreme bipolar symptoms can help treat the patient to allow him/her live a productive and normal life.
