Get DirectionsBipolar
There are 2 million Americans affected by bipolar disorder. Fortunately, it is a medical condition which can be treated successfully with medical help.
Bipolar disorder is an illness in which a person experiences episodes of both depression and mania (generally a euphoric state of mind). Experiencing these depressive and manic episodes is like being at two opposite poles of the earth - hence the word, "bipolar." This switching from one extreme to the other is called cycling.
In general, men experience manic episodes more often than depressive episodes, while women tend to have more depressive episodes. An episode can last days, weeks or months. A person can also switch frequently from depression to mania and back again. Some people go through long periods between episodes where they function well and feel fine.
The most common symptoms of a depressive episode are:
- Feeling sad, helpless, hopeless or worthless
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Feeling tired, weak, and low on energy
- Feeling restless, unable to focus or sit still
- Problems concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Crying more often than usual
- Loss of interest in sex or other pleasurable activities
- Thinking or talking about suicide
In a manic episode, one thing is clear - the person is not his or her normal self. The most common symptoms of a manic episode are:
- Overly enthusiastic
- Overly confident with grandiose ideas
- Unusually talkative and full of laughter
- Decreased need for sleep or hyperactive
- Increase in physical activities
- Racing thoughts leading to an endless source of ideas
- Easily distracted
- Involvement in activities that bring pleasure but have a high potential for harmful consequences (like shopping sprees or promiscuity)