A Close Look at Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

The mental disorder known as bipolar affects people of any ages. However, it occurs more commonly in teens and adults. It can be quite difficult to self-diagnose because there are a lot of mental disorders with similar symptoms to Bipolar disorder. Another problem is that there are different types of bipolar which makes it difficult for people to realize that what they are experiencing is already the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Depressive Episodes

The depressive episode is one of the classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. The main feature of this episode is a decrease in pleasure, as well as a decrease in interest in the daily activities. This mood, when compared to the standard mood and routine of the individual, can be very different. When in that state, the person will feel like they are in a state of depression which is probable to occur with or without any causes at all. The mood can also be described as being in a state of sadness or emptiness. The person is often mistaken by thinking that they are acting this way because of other big problems. During this stage of the bipolar disorder, the impact on the persons occupational and social functioning can be negatively affected. Bipolar symptoms can last for days or even a couple of weeks depending on the severity of the disorder.

The person will most probably lose weight because the appetite is affected. Other common symptoms are extreme fatigue, loss of energy, decrease in gross motor skill agitation, and sleeplessness. The person may also have feelings of worthlessness and guilt, all which can lead to suicidal attempts and death.

Mania Phase

If not on the depressive state, person can be experiencing the manic phase. The symptoms that are manifested by the affected person are the exact opposite of that of the depressive state. Same as the depressive episode, the behaviors manifested here can be due to known or unknown causes and may last from days to weeks depending on the severity of the disorder.

Mixed Period

The mixed period is a dangerous time. This is where the both bipolar symptoms, depressive episode and manic episode, manifest at the same time. This is considered more dangerous because it could last from a week to a couple of weeks. It can cause more social impairment in the daily functioning and work situations. When they both occur at the same time, it becomes more difficult to treat because of the unpredictable nature and behavior of the person with bipolar.

Other health conditions and substance abuse are often confused in most cases of bipolar disorders. Due to this fact, most cases of bipolar disorders are diagnosed at later stages when the condition has worsened.

It is important to know the symptoms of bipolar disorder so that you are able to treat them once the symptoms are identified. This mental disorder can be termed as dangerous because it can lead to suicide and death. It is advisable to get some help as to prevent these from happening.

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