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Why Do Bipolar People Act the Way They Do?

A person with bipolar disorder may exhibit extreme changes in behavior and mood. Acting this way is symptomatic of bipolar disorder, the cause of which is not understood fully.

  1. Symptoms

    • Bipolar disorder, which sometimes is referred to as manic depression, is a chronic mental disorder characterized by unpredictable mood states called episodes. Changes in behavior can accompany mood episodes.

    Manic

    • Behavioral symptoms of a manic episode may include rapid thoughts and speech, agitation, restlessness, distractibility, inflated self-esteem, sleeping little and impulsive involvement in risky behavior.

    Depressive

    • A depressive episode may include behavioral symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, irritability, changes in sleeping and eating habits and difficulty concentrating.

    Cause

    • According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the cause of bipolar disorder is unclear. Bipolar tends to run in families, but genetics may be only one contributing factor. A chemical imbalance in the brain and a person's environment also may be factors.

    Warning

    • If bipolar disorder is left untreated, episodes may grow more frequent and severe. According to the NIMH, substance abuse is common among those with bipolar disorder, although the reason for this is unknown.

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