Most Typical Symptom of Bipolar Disorder
Cycles of elevated (manic) and depressed mood.
- Elevated mood
- High energy
- Reduced need for sleep
- Loss of touch with reality
- Depressed mood
- Low energy
- Low motivation
- Loss of interest in daily activities
Behavioural symptoms during depressive period
- Feeling sad
- Feeling irritable
- Hopelessness
- Loss of interest
- Guilt
- Worthlessness
- Lack of sleep
- Planning or attempting suicide
Behavioural symptoms during manic period
- Feeling very happy
- Feeling full of energy
- Feeling self important
- Impulsiveness
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Feeling aggressive
Symptoms of bipolar disorder in teens
- Not very straightforward
- Maybe present along with ADHD, anxiety and substance abuse
- Triggered by traumatic episodes like death, divorce
- Also triggered by changes during puberty
- Adolescents with bipolar are at a high risk of suicide
Bipolar disorder and substance abuse
- People suffering from bipolar disorder often abuse alcohol/drugs
- Substance abuse makes diagnosis of bipolar disorder difficult
- Medicines for bipolar are less effective with substance abuse