Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) is a mental health condition that appears as extreme mood swings, from depression to mania. During a depressive episode, you may feel sad, hopeless, and lose interest in activities you used to enjoy. During a manic episode, you may feel euphoric, full of energy, and have difficulty sleeping. These mood swings can occur as often as several times a day or as infrequently as a few times a year, and there are typically periods of normal mood and energy in between episodes. In some cases, bipolar disorder can cause symptoms of depression and mania to occur at the same time.
While bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, it can be managed effectively with psychotherapy and medication. Treatment can help to reduce the severity and frequency of mood swings, improve quality of life, and prevent relapse.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
The exact symptoms of bipolar disorder vary from person to person. For some people, depression causes the most problems, while for others manic symptoms are the main concern. Symptoms of depression and symptoms of mania or hypomania (a milder form of mania) may also occur together.
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of mania or hypomania may include:
- Feeling euphoric or extremely happy
- Having a lot of energy
- Talking fast and jumping from topic to topic
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Having difficulty sleeping
- Making impulsive decisions
- Having a high sex drive
Dallas Counseling for Bipolar Disorder