Bi-polar disorder
Bi-polar disorder used to be called manic depression.
People with bi-polar disorder have lots of times when they are well and getting on with life.
Sometimes though they have times when they feel either very happy and 'high' or very low and sad.
Most people with this disorder have more 'highs' or more lows rather than an equal share of both.
It can take a long time for a doctor to diagnose bi-polar disorder due to the long times people are well between the highs and lows.
The people who know the individual well must watch out for the signs of the disorder and seek support from doctors and others when they see them. People who suffer from this can enjoy the feeling of the 'highs' but they will be unwell for longer if this is not treated.
Bi-polar disorder is a psychiatric illness in which the individual experiences episodes of depression and of mania or hypomania. A disorder in which abnormal mood is main symptom. People experience elated, expansive or irritable moods, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, rapid speech, increased energy and activity sad mood, loss of interest, insomnia, weight loss or gain, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness
Highs can sometimes not really be 'highs' and can be triggered by stress or negative life events. People may be aware of what is happening but enjoy the high state
The lows within bi-polar disorder are more sudden and dramatic than in depression and can follow the manic high phase. Hallucinations and delusional ideas are more common in bi-polar depression than depression.
People may one day be very happy and 'high' (elated) and low and depressed the next. It can be hard to detect someone is is happy may be suffering from mania but there will be features of this mania which may be recognisible. People experience elated, expansive or irritable moods, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts.
Severity differs from person to person rapid cycling is when severe mood changes happen more than 4 times per year.
Key features in Bi-Polar Disorder
- high, elated mood
- excessive energy (although often 'unproductive' energy)
- extreme irritability and agitation
- decreased sleep
- racing thoughts and conversation
- being over-familiar (even with strangers)
- demanding behaviour
- lack of concentration
- belief in having special powers or abilities
For information from the Mental Health Foundation about Bi-Polar Disorder click here.