How to Understand Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder symptoms can sometimes be confused with normal depression and are not quite understood many people. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and is usually diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Bipolar disorder symptoms can vary, but almost always are very extreme. Here are some ways that will help you understand bipolar disorder symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Bipolar disorder symptoms can include unusually elevated and depressed states. States such as these can last for a short period of time, or can occur for several days or even weeks. Bipolar disorder symptoms can prevent a person from functioning at work or in their daily life in general.

• 2

  If someone with bipolar disorder is constantly having feelings of sadness, nervousness, hopelessness, anger, or guilt, then they are experiencing a major depressive episode. During this period of time, these bipolar disorder symptoms of the major depression episode can cause them to stop enjoying the things they used to love. They may feel lonely and have difficulty concentrating. Sometimes, trying to talk a person out of this state is very difficult.

• 3

  A manic episode is also one of the several dipolar disorder symptoms. Someone in this state may have more energy than normal, which can cause lack of sleep because they feel there is no need. Thoughts can race and their attention span may be low. Impaired judgment causing rash decisions like a spending binge can occur. Bipolar disorder symptoms can cause the individual to be angry and aggressive as well. Psychosis, or a split from reality, can ensue.

• 4

  Lastly, bipolar disorder symptoms can include a hypomanic episode. The hypomanic episode is thought to be less extreme compared to the rest of the bipolar disorder symptoms. Hypomanic episodes can cause an individual have reactions that are out of the norm. They may laugh at something that is not really funny at all or even get mad at something they really should not be mad at.

• 5

  Knowing bipolar disorder symptoms will help you understand the disorder itself and how much your friend or love one is really suffering. If they know you understand, then they will be able to cope at lot easier than if you did not understand.