People who suffer from bipolar disorder tend to switch from feeling extremely happy and energetic to feeling extremely sad or depressed. Between these two extremities, their mood tends to be normal. Due to the very same extreme mood shift, this condition is termed as bipolar disorder.
There are many observable symptoms of mania as well as depression in a person suffering from bipolar disorder. While these could easily happen with anyone depending on the kind of day they have had, in case of people with bipolar disorder, these symptoms tend to last for weeks or months, or even years. This switching between mania and depression includes changes in mood, energy levels and the ability to function.
In case of children, it can be quite hard to distinguish whether it is a case of bipolar disorder or ADHD as they show similar symptoms. It is also extremely challenging to diagnose this problem in teens or adolescents as depression manifests itself in a different manner than that in case of adults. They tend to show angry, irritable and rebellious behavior. A new diagnostic group has been created, called Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) which is able to better differentiate between bipolar disorder and recurrent outbursts of anger in children and adolescents.
Here are some signs of mania: increase in activeness, less requirement for sleep, extremely euphoric mood, thoughts that race, forceful or rapid speech, difficulty in judgement, extreme impatience feeling overly aggressive and refusing to admit that there is a problem in the first place.
The signs of depression include: sad mood or anxious behavior, excess guilt or feeling of worthlessness, lost interest in pleasure giving activities such as sex, and difficulty while concentrating.
Mood swings are experienced by all people suffering this disorder, however, the severity of these mood swings varies from person to person. Based on this, there are different forms of disorders. In the form known as bipolar I, mania and depression occur in recurrent episodes. In case of bipolar II form, there is no observation of severe mania, but alternative periods of hypomania and depression instead.
People having this condition may suffer sleep problems as well. During the phase of depression, they might find themselves sleeping too much yet waking up completely exhausted. During the phase of mania, they might find less than regular need for sleep, and yet not feel tired. With limited hours of sleep, they might still be at their highest of spirit. This is the reason why doctors recommend trying and staying on a regular sleep schedule.
One good way to keep a track over the patient’s mood is for them to maintain mood charts, which provide a visual representation of the patient’s changes in mood over a span of time.
Over time, the severity and symptoms of the disease may change, and the treatment for it would need to change accordingly. Talking to a mental health professional is advised in order to help treat the disorder. With the help of medication and therapy, one can manage these symptoms and live a productive life.