Bipolar disorder or manic depression is a psychological disorder, or mood disorder, that affects 1% of the world’s population. Unlike depression, both men and women are equally likely to get bipolar disorder.
This explanation of bipolar disorder includes the most common symptoms and signs of mania (which is what sets this psychological disorder apart from all others -- the manic episodes).
What is Bipolar Disorder?
“Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings,” writes Joni Johnston, Psy.D., in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Psychology, Second Edition (Alpha Books, 2003). “While all of us have ‘up’ and ‘down’ days, individuals with bipolar disorder will be severely up sometimes, severely down sometimes, and in the middle most of the time.”
What makes bipolar disorder different than other psychological disorders is its episodes of manic (which is was it was once called manic depression). The depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder are very similar to depression. For this reason, the manic part of bipolar disorder is the thing that determines the diagnosis.
There is no formal diagnosis for mania alone, like there is for depression alone.
How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
“When mania first starts, it can be productive and fun,” writes Johnston in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Psychology. “Imagine being in a great mood, full of energy and inspiration….The problem is, of course, the person can’t stay at the level forever.”
Symptoms and signs of manic depression include:
- Extreme restlessness and an inability to sit still;
- Inability to concentrate on anything;
- Racing thoughts;
- Rapid, disconnected speech;
- Paranoid ideas, or extremely religious thoughts and ideas;
- Extreme impulsiveness, putting self at risk;
- Highly irritable or easily excitable;
- Grandiose delusions;
- Profound weight loss; and
- Awake for days, unable to sleep.
Cyclothymia - A Mild Form of Bipolar Disorder
Cyclothymia is similar to bipolar disorder because it’s characterized by mood swings from mania to depression. However, a person with cyclothymia doesn’t experience full blown mania episodes, or full blown depression. Cyclothymia doesn’t require hospitalization, disrupt the person’s ability to function, or include hallucinations or delusions – which is what bipolar disorder is characterized by.
Treatments for bipolar disorder depend on the person; and seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist is the best way to get help with manic or depressive episodes (or any psychological disorder). Treatments for cyclothymia depend on the severity of this mood disorder. People with mild signs of mania and depression may respond to psychotherapy, while people with more severe symptoms may require drug therapy.
To learn more about treatment options for mania, depression, cyclothymia, and other mental health issues, read Getting Help for Psychological Disorders.
Participating in certain activities or events can lead to mania. To learn more, read What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Triggers of Mania.
Source:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Psychology, Second Edition. (Alpha Books, 2003). Joni E. Johnston. Psy.D.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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