Bipolar Symptoms Checklist

According to PsychologyToday.com, more than 5 million American adults have been clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Initial symptoms of bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, are typically identified in those who are in their late teens and early 20s. Due to the severity of symptoms, some cases have been definitively diagnosed in children. The initial symptoms may present individually and may be present long before the condition reaches a point where lifestyles and relationships are affected. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is based on the presence of particular symptoms and the length of time they have been present.

Depression

• Depression, or depressed mood, is the symptom most often noticed by others. It is not just a feeling of sadness or "the blues" and may not be related to any specific event. The depressive phase of bipolar disorder may present for no apparent reason. Feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and guilt may be experienced. You may have problems with concentration, feel fatigued or have trouble sleeping. You may feel the need to withdraw and to not participate in normal activities. Additionally, there may be a loss of appetite, onset of pain of unknown origin and thoughts of suicide. The presence of at least five depressive symptoms that last most of the day for a period of at least two weeks is an indication that you are in the depressive phase.

Mania

• The manic phase of bipolar disorder is diagnosed when three or more signs associated with mania are present, daily, for at least a week. Elevation of mood is the hallmark of this phase. You may experience the sudden onset of increased energy and euphoric mood. Often demonstrated during a manic episode are poor judgment, irritability and inflated self-esteem. Poor impulse control may lead to shopping sprees, increased sexual activity and abuse of drugs and/or alcohol. You may feel that your thoughts are racing, and your speech may be rapid and difficult for others to follow.

Hypomania

• Hypomania is a less severe form of mania that typically is less disruptive to your life than a true manic episode. An elevation of mood and increase in activity occurs and may lend to increased productivity. In hypomania, there is not the level of agitation and irritability associated with mania. Other symptoms associated with mania may be present, but the length of time in which they present is less. Failure to identify and treat hypomania may lead to either a depressive or manic episode.

Psychosis

• Psychosis may occur in both the depressive and manic episode. A distortion of reality, psychosis may be manifested in the form of hallucinations or delusions. Hallucination is hearing or seeing of things that are not there. A delusion is a false, and often irrational, belief. The delusion is typically connected to the phase of bipolar disorder being experienced. For example, if you are in the manic phase, you may believe you are famous or invincible. If you are in a depressive episode, you may believe that you are destitute and alone. The presence of psychosis may delay the diagnosis of bipolar disorder as it is generally associated with other mental illnesses.

Considerations

• Not everyone with bipolar disorder will experience all the common symptoms. In bipolar I disorder, there is the occurrence of a manic phase, but there may or may not have been a prior depressive episode. At least one episode of depression and one of hypomania are the criteria for bipolar II disorder. In the mixed form, mania and depression occur concurrently. For example, you may feel hopeless and sad, but you have increased energy and agitation. Should you currently be receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and begin to experience symptoms of either a manic or depressive episode, a physician should be contacted to evaluate and determine if additional treatment measures should be instituted.