What is
Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also called manic depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes changes in mood, energy, and one’s ability to function. It can last days, weeks, years, or even a lifetime. People with bipolar disorder have extreme mood swings, along with changes in sleep and energy. There are three types of bipolar disorders: bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, and cyclothymia. Bipolar disorder I is when you have manic episodes for over a week, bipolar disorder II is when you have lots of depressive episodes and some hypomanic episodes, and cyclothymia is when you have some depressive episodes and lots of hypomanic episodes.
Symptoms of Manic and Depressive Episodes:
Manic Episode:
- Exaggerated positive outlook
- Racing speech, flight of ideas, impulsiveness
- Poor financial choices, rash spending sprees
- Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
- Extreme irritability
- Distractibility, inability to concentrate well
- Little sleep needed
- Poor judgment
Depressive Episode:
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in pleasurable or usual activities
- Sense of guilt or low self-esteem
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
- Sleeping too much, or having trouble sleeping
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempt
"the next time you fall, remember you can
always get back up and keep going."