How to Recognize Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Recognizing bipolar disorder is a tough thing to do. People may behave differently in different settings, so it is important to be close to the person being observed. Also, there are some other health issues that can cause symptoms that are similar to those caused by bipolar disorder. Just because it looks like bipolar disorder and sounds like bipolar disorder does not mean it is bipolar disorder. That being said, there are some general things to look out for that may indicate that an individual needs to seek professional help.

Individuals suffering from mania will likely appear very cheerful and outgoing until something does not go their way, and then the attitude is likely to turn very irritable and annoyed. This is also the same attitude to expect when asking that individual to seek professional help. Individuals in a manic state may engage in risky behavior, such as unprotected sex. A number of driving infractions may also be gained at this time due to a loss of inhibition while driving. This same inhibition may lead to unhealthy experimentation. A person in the midst of a manic state may talk very quickly and jump from one idea to the next in the space of a second. Decisions are best made by other members of the household due to rambling thoughts and impulsiveness during this period of time. Individuals suffering from mania may also stay away from nights on end without fatigue because of the excess energy. Grandiose thoughts and bloated self-confidence also accompany mania in most patients.

Depression is slightly easier to spot in a patient suffering from it, and that is part of the reason why many bipolar patients are initially diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. Someone suffering from depression may withdrawal from social interaction with both family members and friends. Small activities might seem to require huge amounts of energy. Former interests, including sex, may hold no draw for someone caught in a depressive state. A person suffering from depression may eat significantly more or less, which results in a major weight change. Similarly, sleeping habits may change- either increasing or decreasing. Dark thoughts are a result of some depressions, and these require immediate attention.

So, those are the things to look for when trying to recognize bipolar disorder. Of course, not all of these things occur in all patients, and there are some symptoms and situations that are not listed.