Signs Of Bipolar Disorder
Saturday, October 11th, 2008Many know that bipolar is a mental disease marked with severe mood swings. The symptoms may vary from person to person and can also be age dependent.
Bipolar Signs usually range from deep depression with sometimes suicidal thoughts, disturbed sleep patterns, physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach problems to a manic state with euphoria, a heightened energy level and a sense of invincibility. However, there are many other conditions that can also cause these signs, including life circumstances. A clinician will look not only at the signs and symptoms which could point to a diagnosis of bi polar, or manic depression, but will also look at patterns and durations of signs.
Here is a brief list of some of the signs that may be displayed during the different phases:
Depressive Phase
- Problems concentrating
- Problems with thinking
- Exaggerated feelings of guilt
- Thoughts of suicide
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Low energy
- Apathy
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Changes in appetite -over eating or lack of desire for food
- Disinterest in activities
- Disinterest in interacting with people
- Weight loss or gain
- Physical aches and pains
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
Manic Phase
- Fast talking
- Racing mind
- Excessive behaviors
- Irritability
- Grandiosity
- Generally reckless behaviors
- Increased sex drive
- Euphoria
- Invincibility
- Endless energy
- Rebellious
- Decreased need for sleep
Reading this list it becomes apparent that most of us display one or some of these symptoms at times of stress in our lives.
These are only some signs of bipolar disorder. Obviously a diagnosis of bipolar is a very in depth investigation and should only be done by an appropriate medical practitioner.
