What are the Bipolar Symptoms in Women?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness with severe mood changes. The symptoms affect women differently, but most people alternate from lows to highs. Hormones may play a part in causing bipolar symptoms. Women who are already bipolar are more susceptible to fluctuations in mood during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

Depression

• In a depressive episode, a woman may have crying spells, feel hopeless and unattractive and may eat too much food or not enough food. Thoughts of suicide are also possible.

Manic

• During a manic episode, a woman may feel optimistic, attractive and creative. She has lots of energy, sleeps very little and tries to accomplish many tasks at once.

Hypomania

• This is a milder form of mania without the extreme highs. Hypomania usually occurs in bipolar 2, a less severe form of the bipolar disorder.

Mixed State

• In some cases, a woman has both manic and depressive episodes at the same time. Usually, she feels hopeless and sad but also hyperactive.

Rapid Cycling

• With rapid cycling, mood switches rapidly between highs and lows. Each episode lasts only a few hours or 2 to 3 days depending on the woman.