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Bi polar symptoms can be hard to identify, especially when the symptoms are showing in relatively mild form. As difficult as it may be to spot bi polar disorder , it may be alternately as easy to misdiagnose someone as bipolar when they are simply going through a normal mood shift.
If you or someone you know displays any significant signs of bipolar disorder, though, it may be wiser to err on the side of safety and request a professional diagnosis. Bipolar sufferers tend to have a higher rate of psychotic episodes and even suicide than people who do not suffer from bipolar disorder.
The signs of bipolar disorder may include: Extreme mood shifts that seem to happen for little or no reason.This does not include extreme mood shifts that occur as the result of something that should register an extreme emotional response, mind you. Rather, if, for no discernible reason, someone feels ecstatic and is bursting with energy one day, but suddenly depressed and lethargic the next, only to be bouncing off the walls again the day after, this may be a sign of bipolar disorder (though it has also been proven to be a symptom of the disorder known as “being a teenager” as well).
Delusions and hallucinations. People suffering from bipolar disorder often show signs of delusions and hallucinations. This could mean seeing things that aren’t there, hearing disembodied voices or sounds, or, in the case of delusions, constantly suspecting people of harbouring ulterior motives or being a part of some conspiracy or scheme to harm the person suffering bipolar disorder.
Major depressive episodes A major depressive episode can express itself as the subject being unwilling to participate in activities that they are normally interested in, being unmotivated, constantly having morbid or suicidal thoughts, or just being bored more often than is normal. This may not be a sign of bipolar disorder, however, and it’s perfectly normal for everyone to feel this way from time to time. It becomes a problem when these episodes are recurring, and seem to happen for no logical reason.
Manic episodes The exact opposite of a major depressive episode. Manic episodes may show themselves in the form of the subject being constantly excited, active, full of energy and bravado. However, it may also show itself in the form of a low attention span, hostile behaviour, a lack of focus, delusions of grandeur, and even psychosis and extreme hallucinations. Again, we all get excited or irritable from time to time. Manic episodes may be a sign of bipolar disorder when they occur frequently and are extreme in nature.
Hypomanic episodes A hypomanic episode is like a mild manic episode though far less extreme. This is generally typified by a person laughing at things that they don’t normally find funny. It has also been said to be a very “artistic” state of mind. A person going through a hypomanic episode may be bursting with clever ideas, and they may have an increase in energy and focus. Hypomanic episodes do not last as long as manic episodes.
Mixed affective episodes A mixed affective episode is defined as a state of mind wherein feelings of depression and mania are felt at once. This can include confusion, impulsiveness, insomnia, irritability, suicidal thoughts, racing thoughts, rage, or abnormal aggression.As isolated, one time occurrences, the above are not usually considered evidence of a bipolar disorder. When they are recurring or happen in conjunction with one another, it may very well be that the person is suffering from bipolar disorder.Treating bipolar disorder should not be attempted without first having a thorough, professional diagnosis conducted. Misdiagnosis and improper (and even illegal) administration of medication has occurred more than once thanks to untrained armchair psychiatry. |
