Manifestations of a Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder constitutes a serious emotional condition marked by wide and sometimes bewildering mood swings. The patient suffers from cycles, with periods of manic energy followed by deep depressive troughs, which can have a serious impact on his personal and professional life. Bipolar disorder springs from a number of possible sources--genetic, biochemical, environmental or some combination of the above--and may take time to spot in some cases. Scientists at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere have worked to identify various manifestations of the condition, it order to make the public more aware of them.

Manic Manifestations

• During the patient's manic period, his mood and energy levels are extremely elevated. He shows signs of increased optimism--bordering on foolishness at times--and an emotional euphoria that often accompanies enhanced self esteem. He's more willing to take risks, he may show an inability to concentrate, and he often leaps from one topic to another very rapidly. He may take on an inordinate number of projects or engage in unsound spending sprees if he has the means. Physical activity goes way up and the patient seems to need less sleep than he normally would. The patient may also become snappish and irritable at times, though his mood levels remain high.

Hypomania

• Hypomania is described as a less severe form of the patient's manic cycle. The mood elevation isn't quite as high, irritability levels remain manageable and the patient is better able to complete daily tasks. Hypomanic episodes don't normally last as long as full-bore manic episodes, usually just a few days.

Depressive Manifestations

• The manic phase inevitably gives way to the depressive phase, in which the patient becomes a seemingly different person. Energy vanishes in the face of listlessness and fatigue, exacerbated by feelings of hopelessness and despair. The patient often loses interest in formerly enjoyable activities and may express signs of anxiety or guilt. In the worst cases, this may translate into thoughts of suicide.

Mixed State Manifestations

• In some cases, the patient may show signs of both mania and depression at the same time. This is common in children suffering from bipolar disorder, and can include agitation, fluctuations in appetite, trouble sleeping and a combination of negative thoughts and manic activity. Suicide risk tends to increase with mixed state manifestations .

Rapid Cycling

• The rapidity with which bipolar patients cycle through each phase can make it easier to spot the condition... or difficult in the extreme. Generally speaking, depressive manifestations tend to last longer than manic manifestations. In some cases, however, the patient has rapid-cycling bipolar disorders, which means experiencing four or more severe mood changes within a single year. The shifts can occur quite quickly--sometimes in the space of a single day--making it easier to spot the specific manifestations.