Bipolar disorder history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
History and Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a cyclic illness where people periodically exhibit elevated (Manic) and depressive episodes. Most people will experience a number of episodes, averaging 0.4 to 0.7 a year with each lasting 3-6 months.[1] Late adolescence and early adulthood are peak years for the onset of the illness.[2][3] These are critical periods in a young adult's social and vocational development, and they can be severely disrupted by disease onset.
- The manic phase may last from days to months. It can include the following symptoms:
- Easily distracted
- Little need for sleep
- Poor judgment
- Poor temper control
- Reckless behavior and lack of self control
- Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use
- Poor judgment
- Sex with many partners (promiscuity)
- Spending sprees
- Very elevated mood
- Excess activity (hyperactivity)
- Increased energy
- Racing thoughts
- Talking a lot
- Very high self-esteem (false beliefs about self or abilities)
- Very involved in activities
- Very upset (agitated or irritated)
- These symptoms of mania occur with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, the symptoms of mania are similar but less intense.
- The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder includes the following symptoms:
- Daily low mood or sadness
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Eating problems
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Overeating and weight gain
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Feeling worthless, hopeless, or guilty
- Loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Loss of self-esteem
- Thoughts of death and suicide
- Trouble getting to sleep or sleeping too much
- Pulling away from friends or activities that were once enjoyed
- There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. Patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can make the symptoms and suicide risk worse.
- Sometimes the two phases overlap. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur together or quickly one after the other in what is called a mixed state.
References
- ↑ Kessler, RC; McGonagle, KA; Zhao, S; Nelson, CB; Hughes, M; Eshleman, S; Wittchen, HU; Kendler, KS (1994), "Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States", Archives of General Psychiatry, 51 (1): 8–19
- ↑ Christie KA, Burke JD Jr, Regier DA, Rae DS, Boyd JH, Locke BZ (1988). (abstract) "Epidemiologic evidence for early onset of mental disorders and higher risk of drug abuse in young adults" Check
|url=value (help). Am J Psychiatry. 145: 971–975. Retrieved 2007-07-01. - ↑ Goodwin & Jamison. p121