Tell Me More About Bipolar Disorder.
4. Everyone has mood swings. How is bipolar disorder different?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by manic periods that can last weeks and depressive periods that can last months. When someone is manic, heavy drug or alcohol use is common. Consequently, a person may be diagnosed as only having a substance abuse problem, when in fact they also have a mood disorder. It is also common for people experiencing a depression to not realize they had a manic episode earlier.
Manic Episode
In a manic episode, the person has an elated or irritable mood and at least three of the following symptoms every day for a week, to the point where the person has trouble functioning in a normal way: 1) less need for sleep, 2) rapid talking, 3) racing thoughts, 4) easily distracted, 5) inflated feeling of power and self-esteem, and 6) reckless activities without concern about bad consequences. In severe cases, the person may experience psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there) or delusions (firmly held beliefs that are not based in reality). A hypomanic episode is a milder and less severe form of a manic episode, but may still be disruptive. People may feel happy and have lots of energy, but do not usually get into serious trouble. Hypomania may progress to a full-blown manic episode or a major depression, and therefore needs treatment.
Depressive Episode
In a full-blown major depressive episode, the person must have a depressed mood or inability to experience pleasure, and at least four of the following symptoms for at least two weeks: 1) trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, 2) loss of appetite or eating too much, 3) problems concentrating or making decisions, 4) feeling slowed down or feeling too agitated to sit still, 5) feeling worthless or guilty or having very low self-esteem, 6) loss of energy or feeling tired all the time, 7) thoughts of suicide or death. These symptoms must be present almost daily, for most of the day, over a two week period. Severe depression may also include hallucinations and delusions.
People who have hypomania, depression, and intervals without symptoms, but no full-blown manic episode, are said to have "Bipolar-II" disorder. When four or more episodes of illness occur within a 12-month period, a person is said to have "Rapid Cycling" bipolar disorder.
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