Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic depression, is a disorder in the brain that causes a person's mood to shift uncontrollably. Symptoms can affect the way a person functions and carries out daily activities.

Symptoms

• Mood changes, or emotional states, that a person with bipolar experiences are often intense ranging from feeling euphoric during a manic episode to feeling a complete loss of interest during a depressive episode.

Signs of a Manic Episode

• During a manic episode, a person may display signs of feeling extremely optimistic, show poor judgment, experience racing thoughts, have increased physical activity, become easily distracted and feel a decreased need for sleep.

Signs of a Depressive Episode

• A depressive episode is at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from a manic episode with signs of hopelessness, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, decreased appetite, fatigue, irritability and loss of interest in hobbies and activities.

Effects

• A person with bipolar disorder who experiences severe mood swings may eventually suffer from psychosis. Psychosis causes "detachment from reality," states a staff member at the Mayo Clinic, and symptoms that include "hearing or seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations) and false but strongly held beliefs (delusions)."

Treatment

• Bipolar disorder can be treated with medication, which "is nearly always a part of the recommended treatment course," according to Psychcentral.com. Other forms of treatment will vary based on the severity of the disorder ranging from acute treatment, continuation treatment and maintenance treatment.