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Bipolar symptoms tend tobe one of the great mysteries surrounding an illness. There seems to be a greatdeal of people who will tell you that they know all about bipolar symptoms whenthey don't really have a clue. These are the type of people who will tell youthat they have bipolar disease because they have been feeling slightlydepressed and they ?know? that this is one of the bipolar symptoms. Being bipolaris in fact much more serious and the bipolar symptoms that sufferer's exhibit aremuch more pronounced than just being a little down.
As bipolar disorder hasfour separate phases with two main ?categories? there are actually more bipolarsymptoms than you would think. As the two main categories are mania anddepression it is easier to think of the bipolar symptoms in two lists, one formania and one for depression.
Mania bipolar symptoms
? Extreme highs during which a person may feel elated for noreason and be quite excitable
? Feelings of ?I can do anything? even for the most riskyactivities
? Feeling as though you can function perfectly well on littleor no sleep, often for days
? Risk taking ? this can be in the form of dangerousactivities, excessive consumption of alcohol and the taking of drugs.
? Spending sprees ? these are usually something which theperson who is bipolar cannot afford and during a spree they will buy thingsthat they do not want or need. After a spree they may wonder why they havebought items and not be able to remember doing it very well.
? In more extreme cases during a manic episode the person withbipolar disorder may suffer from hallucinations and delusions which can seemquite real to them at the time.
Depressed bipolarsymptoms
? Feelings of little or no self worth
? Sleeping too much and finding it hard to get up in themornings
? Putting on or losing weight, often rapidly
? Low levels of concentration
? Feeling like you are unable to cope with daily life ? goingto work, dealing with others etc
? Lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
? Lack of sexual desire
? In some very severe cases the sufferer might seriously thinkabout committing suicide and could try to do so
Often these bipolarsymptoms will occur in cycles with times when the sufferer seems to be quitewell and not in the throes of a manic or depressive episode. Or there can alsobe times when the bipolar symptoms that an individual displays are not aspronounced during a manic episode and this is referred to as hypermania. Whilstthese episodes are not as severe they can still be quite disturbing for theperson with bipolar disorder and those around them and they can also be thesignal that a more heightened episode is on its way.
Bipolar disorder is a mood effectingillness that can be very problematic for those who suffer from it, and millionsof people do. Many people do not even realise that the way they are feeling isactually a medical condition until the find out about bipolar symptoms andrecognises that they are in fact bipolar. Here are the depression and mania bipolarsymptoms to look out for if you suspect you are bipolar or someone you know is.
Depression bipolar symptoms
? Having no energy and constantlyfeeling tired
? Losing interest in things youwere once keen on, this can also include sex
? Difficulty in making decisions
? Sleeping much more or much lessthan normal
? Feelings of guilt andworthlessness
? Suicidal thoughts
Everyone will feel depressed at different times in their life, butwhen a person is bipolar these times go on for much longer than would beexpected and they begin to affect a person's quality of life.
Mania bipolar symptoms
? Excessive energy
? Sleeping much less than normal
? A constantly racing mind
? Becoming very talkative
? Engaging in risky activities ?this can vary from person to person but usually with bipolar symptoms theseactivities are not usually something a person would do
? Reliance on drugs or alcohol
Manic bipolar symptoms can also be characterised by impulsive actsthat can have disastrous consequences for a person's life. For instance theymight suddenly decide to quit their job or go on a massive spending spree thatthey can't afford with no thought to the outcome.
Of course these are just the main bipolarsymptoms and there are more which are on the bipolar symptoms spectrum and canbe easily identified. Those people who are bipolar will find that their bipolarsymptoms will alternate with each other and there will also be times when theyfeel on a level ? neither high nor low.
During a bout of depression or maniahowever the bipolar symptoms will be much more obvious and can reach extremeswhich seem totally out of character and can be quite frightening for the personwho is bipolar and those around them. One good idea to chart bipolar symptomsis to use a mood chart. This is where the person with bipolar disorder notesdown how they are feeling each day and this will help professionals to be ableto plot their bipolar symptoms and can assist diagnosis and possible forms oftreatment for the condition. Using a chart to track your bipolar symptoms canalso be very useful to gain an insight into how well medication is working.
One thing is for sure; if you do recognisebipolar symptoms in yourself or someone close to you it is wise to seek medicalhelp. Bipolar disorder is a serious condition, but if the symptoms arerecognised quickly a plan of medication and therapy can really help thesufferer to lead a normal life in which their bipolar symptoms do not interferetoo much.