Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depressive illness is a mental or psychiatric condition that is mostly prevalent in adolescents and adults, although there are cases of children exhibiting symptoms of the disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense emotional outbursts and rapid, sustained changes in mood, usually alternating between mania and depression. While bipolar disorder has been recognized as a mental illness in the past, it was only in the mid 1950s to the early 1900s that Bipolar disorder was classified completely as a mental disorder.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder produces such significant changes in mood, emotional and mental disposition that detection of it is possible by a certified professional. To the layman, such diagnosis is not as easy because Bipolar disorder mimics other mental conditions such as clinical depression, intense mania and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Bipolar disorder symptoms may vary in men, women and children and can only be recognized by a detailed observation over a period of time. In more than 50% of cases, Bipolar disorder commences by around age 19-23. The symptoms of Bipolar disorder are usually classified as alternating episodes – manic and depressive. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in men symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults are harder to detect.
Doctors can help identify bipolar disorder, but so can you, or your relatives
Learn to identify Bipolar Mania, hypomania and bipolar depression and you are a good part of the way there. See our article on identifying each of these. There are also different types of bipolar disorder characterised by different strengths, durations and paterns in the cycles of mania and depression.
Those who suffer from it, as well as friends and family can all help identify bipolar. Often those who are close are the best to be able to tell when someone’s not acting like themselves. Doctors can also identify bipolar, though they may refer patients to a specialist for a more in depth evaluation.
Bipolar I Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar I disorder symptoms may see the manic and depressive stage for a period of seven days to two weeks with at least one manic episode in between. This type of Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe manifestations of manic and depressive episodes.
Bipolar II Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar II disorder symptoms do not show a prolonged or intense manic phase but are instead characterized by much milder hypomania and equally mild depression.
Bipolar III Disorder Symptoms
Bipolar II disorder symptoms Bipolar III disorder symptoms are significantly different from Bipolar I or Bipolar II behavior with significant cycling and prolonged depressive episodes, often, with suicide attempts. Bipolar III is often considered a subset of Bipolar II disorder, considering that there are many variants in the duration and severity of the hypomania and depressive episodes. This type of Bipolar disorder is also associated with hypomania caused by the use of anti-depressant medication.
Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Cycling is the alternating between manic and depressive episodes with over 4 or 5 episodes of mania in a year. About a fifth of patients who suffer from Bipolar disorder are said to have rapid cycling. Pregnant women and juvenile patients are considered the higher-risk group with more rapid cycling being seen over a period of a year.
Other considerations when looking at the symptoms of bipolar disorder
The symptoms may be subtly different depending on the individual and whether they are male or female and particularly their age.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Men
Mania: Bipolar disorder in men manifests itself with significant aggression in the manic stage. The patient may be unusually aggressive and take on significant responsibilities and unrealistic goals during a manic episode. Sensory gratification and a high sexual appetite are also noticed in some males. Most men tend to take rash impulsive financial and relationship decisions in this phase. Sleeplessness mimicking insomnia is another symptom of this phase, although fatigue is not observed.
Depression: During the depressive stage, men become unusually withdrawn, exhibiting prolonged periods of sadness and a general feeling of lethargy and helplessness. During particularly severe episodes, feelings of guilt, sadness and hopelessness can lead to suicidal thoughts. At this time, an inability to make decisions and restlessness can be observed.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Women
In general, the symptoms of Bipolar disorder in women are significantly more due to the mood changes that naturally accompany the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. For pregnant or new mothers with Bipolar disorder, the post-partum depression is intensified, often to the point of wanting to commit suicide.
Mania: Hysteria and reckless behavior characterize Bipolar disorder in women. Bipolar symptoms include excessive talkativeness, being overly critical of family or co-workers, indefatigable sense of personal ability and grandiose ambition.
Depression: In many women, the depressive phase may be more intense than in men, characterized by unexplained crying spells, silence, irregular sleep and a desire to starve or eat continuously. Unexplained screaming spells and listlessness may also be seen. Women suffering from post-partum depression and Bipolar disorder may have intense thoughts of suicide.
Bipolar Disorder in Children
Bipolar affective disorder symptoms in children are far easier to detect although treatment may be prolonged and difficult. The depressive stage usually lasts much longer than adults, often for months at a time, resulting in the child being labeled ‘lazy’. Academic performance suffers and the child usually does not have any desire to play or engage in any social activities with his or her peers. The manic stage is easily recognized with extreme impatience, insecurity and yelling episodes. In the depressive mode, children may refuse to speak or eat. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children include psychosomatic headaches and limb pain. School-going children usually feel like ‘failures’ and hated by their peers.
Conclusion
The symptoms of bipolar present some problem, as is the case with all mental health disorders where the symptoms, interactions and behaviours are never simple. The human mind is itself an incredibly complicated system, and no two people are effected in exactly the same way, however it is possible to tell if something is wrong, and by studying up on the symptoms you, or friends and family will be able to identify the condition more effectively.