How to Recognize the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

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Also known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that can be controlled with medication. Learn to spot this condition's hallmark behaviors.

Step 1: Observe mood swings
Look for mood swings -- either abnormally elated or excessively angry or sad and hopeless. Onset may be gradual or dramatic, and behavior can be unpredictable. The key is that these mood shifts interfere with a person's life and ability to function.

Tip
Bipolar disorder can show up as early as childhood, although it more commonly develops in late adolescence or adulthood.

Step 2: Recognize the manic stage
Recognize a manic stage. Symptoms include a change in mood that may include euphoria, increased energy, a decreased need for sleep, restlessness, impulsiveness, and risky behavior like spending sprees and drug and alcohol abuse.

Step 3: Recognize a depressive phase
Recognize a depressive phase, which can manifest as sadness; hopelessness; insomnia or an excessive need for sleep; changes in appetite; and thoughts of death or suicide.

Step 4: Know the three types of BD
Know the three main types of the disorder: Bipolar I involves manic episodes with or without a depressive phase; Bipolar II, which involves depression and at least one hypomanic episode, which is similar to mania but is less severe; and Bipolar NOS -- standing for Not Otherwise Specified -- in which a person's symptoms don't neatly fit into either category.

Tip
People with less intense mood swings may have a condition called cyclothymia

Step 5: Watch for psychosis
Watch for psychotic behavior: If a BD sufferer sees or hears things that aren't there, or suffers from delusions, they are showing signs of psychosis and should not be left alone. Seek treatment immediately.

Step 6: Get help
See a mental health professional if you are displaying any signs of bipolar disorder, and encourage anyone you know with these symptoms to do the same. Bipolar disorder can be controlled with medication, and tends to get worse if it's left untreated.

Did You Know?
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million American adults.