How to Know if You Have Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder affecting somewhere between one and 4.3 percent of the US population.^[1] It commonly manifests in periods of elevated mood known as mania. These manic episodes alternate with a depressed mood. Bipolar disorder often has an early onset. Research has shown that 1.8% of children and adolescents merit a Bipolar diagnosis.^[2] Typically though, the disorder is diagnosed around the late twenties or early thirties.^[3] This article will help you determine whether you, or people you care about, might have bipolar disorder.

EditSteps

EditIdentifying the Symptoms

1. Recognize the signs of mania. During a manic period, feelings of euphoria, creativity, and heightened awareness are common.^[4] Manic periods may last a few hours or stretch on for days or weeks.^[5] The Mayo Clinic describes the following signs of mania:^[6]
   
   • Having a feeling of being "high," so high, in some cases, that one feels invincible. This is often accompanied by the feeling that one has special powers or is godlike.
   • Dealing with racing thoughts. Thoughts may jump from subject to subject so quickly that it's difficult to keep up or concentrate on one thing.
   • Talking so quickly that others can't make sense of what one is saying, and feeling jumpy and restless.
   • Staying up all night or sleeping for only a few hours at a time, but never feeling tired the next day.
   • Exhibiting reckless behavior. During a manic episode, a person might sleep with several people and not use protection. He or she may gamble large amounts of money or make risky business investments. An individual might also spend money on large, expensive items, quit a job, and so on.
   • Exhibiting extreme irritability and impatience with others. This can escalate into starting arguments and picking fights with people who don't go along with one's ideas.
   • In rare cases, delusions, hallucinations, and visions can occur (e.g. believing to hear the voice of God or an angel).
2. Know the symptoms of bipolar depression. For those with bipolar disorder, the periods of depression are longer and more frequent than periods of mania. Watch for these symptoms:^[7]
   
   • An inability to experience pleasure or joy.
   • Feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. Feelings of worthlessness and guilt are also common.
   • Sleeping more than normal and feeling tired and sluggish all the time.
   • Gaining weight and having changes in appetite.
   • Experiencing thoughts of death and suicide.
   • Note that bipolar depression often looks a lot like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). A qualified professional can differentiate between the two disorders. He or she will look at the patient’s history of mania and severity of manic episodes.^[8]
   • The medication used to treat MDD is often not effective for treating bipolar depression. It also is often accompanied by irritability and mood swings that aren't exhibited by those with MDD.^[9]
3. Understand the signs of a Hypomanic Episode. A Hypomanic Episode is an abnormally and persistently elevated mood that lasts for four days. It can also include irritability and other symptoms.^[10]Hypomania is different from a manic episode because it is usually less severe. Watch out for:^[11]
   
   • Feelings of Elation
   • Irritability
   • Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
   • Decreased need for sleep
   • Pressured speech (speech that is rapid and intense)
   • Flight of ideas (when one’s brain seems to move rapidly from one idea to another)
   • Distractibility
   • Psychomotor agitation, such as bouncing your leg or tapping your fingers, or an inability to sit still
   • With hypomania, an individual may not have problems in their social or work life. This condition typically does not result in hospitalization. Someone experiencing Hypomania might feel elated, and have an increased appetite or sex drive. But, he or she would likely still be able to go to work and manage ordinary tasks without many, if any, negative consequences.
   • Someone in a Hypomanic episode can usually complete work tasks. He or she should also have appropriate (though perhaps intense) interactions with coworkers. With full mania, regular tasks at work would be difficult to complete without making errors in judgment. Likewise, inappropriate social interactions might lead to negative consequences. Delusions and hallucinations are also not present in Hypomania.^[12]
4. Understand mixed features. In some cases, people experience mania and depression at the same time. These individuals experience depression and irritability, racing thoughts, anxiety, and insomnia simultaneously.
   
   • Mania and Hypomania can qualify as having mixed features if there are also three or more symptoms of depression.
   • For example, imagine someone is engaging in risky behaviors. He or she is also experiencing insomnia, hyperactivity, and racing thoughts. This satisfies the full criteria for mania. If this person also experiences at least three symptoms of depression, this is a manic episode with mixed features. Example might be feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest in hobbies or activities, and recurrent thoughts of death.^[13]

EditUnderstanding Different Forms of Bipolar Disorder

1. Know the characteristics of bipolar I disorder. This form of bipolar disorder is the most commonly known manic-depressive form of the illness. A person classified as bipolar I must experience at least one manic episode or mixed episode. People with bipolar I disorder may also experience a depressive episode.^[14]
   
   • People with bipolar I are the most likely to experience highs that lead to risky behavior.
   • This form of the illness is often disruptive to one's work life and relationships.
   • Those affected by Bipolar I are more likely to attempt suicide, with a completed suicide rate of 10-15%.^[15]
   • People suffering from bipolar I are also at a high risk of having or developing a substance abuse problem.^[16]
   • There is also a connection between bipolar I and hyperthyroidism. This makes it even more important to see a doctor.^[17]
2. Understand the symptoms of bipolar II disorder. This variation involves less intense manic episodes and full-blown depressive episodes. The person may sometimes experience a muted version of hypomania. But, the underlying state is usually depression.^[18]
   
   • People with bipolar II disorder are often misdiagnosed as having depression. To tell the difference, one must look for the distinguishing characteristics of bipolar depression.
   • Bipolar depression is different from MDD because it is often paired with manic symptoms. Sometimes there is overlap between the two. It takes a qualified professional to distinguish between these conditions.^[19]
   • For people with bipolar II, mania may manifest as anxiety, irritability, or racing thoughts. Bursts of creativity and activity are less common.
   • Like bipolar I, there is a high risk for suicide, hyperthyroidism, and substance abuse in bipolar II.^[20]
   • Bipolar II tends to be more common in women than men.^[21]
3. Look for the signs of cyclothymia. This is a milder form of bipolar disorder that involves mood swings with less severe instances of mania and depression. The mood swings tend to operate on a cycle, going back and forth between depression and mania. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM):^[22]
   
   • Cyclothymia begins early in life and it’s onset is usually in adolescence and early adulthood.
   • Cyclothymia is equally common in men and women.
   • As with bipolar I and II, there is an increased risk of substance abuse for those affected by cyclothymia.
   • Sleep disorders are also commonly found alongside cyclothymia.

EditKnow How to Spot Bipolar Disorder

1. Look for seasonal changes in mood. It's common for people with bipolar disorder to experience a shift as the seasons change. In some cases, a manic or depressive episode will last an entire season. In other cases, the change in season prompts the beginning of a cycle that includes both mania and depression.
   
   • Manic episodes are more common in the summertime. Depressive episodes are more common in the fall, winter and spring. This is not a hard and fast rule, however; some people experience depression in the summer and mania in the winter.^[23]
2. Understand that having bipolar disorder doesn't always impair functionality. Some people with bipolar disorder have trouble at work and in school. In other cases, the person may seem to be doing just fine in these areas.
   
   • Those with bipolar II and cyclothymia can often function at work and school. Those with bipolar I tend to have a harder time in these areas.^[24]
3. Be aware of substance abuse issues. Up to 50 percent of people who suffer from bipolar disorder struggle with substance abuse. They use alcohol or other tranquilizers to stop racing thoughts during manic episodes. They may also use drugs to try to achieve a high when they're in a depressive episode.^[25]
   
   • Substances like alcohol have their own effects on mood and behavior. They can be difficult to distinguish bipolar disorder.
   • People who abuse drugs and alcohol are at greater risk of suicide. This is because substance abuse can increase the severity of both mania and depression.
   • Substance abuse may also instigate a cycle of manic depression.
4. Notice breaks from reality. People with bipolar disorder are often out of touch with reality. This occurs both during periods of extreme mania and periods of severe depression.
   
   • This can manifest as either a dangerously inflated ego or a sense of guilt that is not in proportion to real events. In some cases, psychosis and hallucinations occur.
   • Breaks from reality happen most frequently in bipolar I during manic and mixed episodes. They occur less often in bipolar II and almost never in cyclothymia.^[26]
5. See a specialist. Self-diagnosis is useful if it leads to taking the next step toward getting help. Many people live with bipolar disorder without receiving treatment. But, the illness can be better managed with helpful medications. Psychotherapy with a psychiatrist or counselor can also make a big difference.
   
   • Medications used to treat Bipolar Disorder include mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-psychotic, and anti-anxiety drugs. These medications work by blocking and/or regulating certain chemicals in the brain. They regulate Dopamine, Serotonin, and Acetylcholine.^[27]
   • Mood stabilizers work to regulate a person’s mood. They prevent the extreme highs and lows of bipolar disorder. Among these are drugs such as Lithium, Depakote, Neurontin, Lamictal, and Topamax.^[28]
   • Antipsychotic medications help reduce psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions during mania. They include Zyprexa, Risperdal, Abilify and Saphris.^[29]
   • Anti-depressant medications used to treat Bipolar depression include Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, and others. Finally, to manage symptoms of anxiety, a psychiatrist might prescribe Xanax, Klonopin, or Lorazepam.^[30]
   • Medications should always be prescribed by a qualified psychiatrist or physician. They should be taken as directed to avoid health complications.
   • If you're concerned that you or a loved one has bipolar disorder, reach out to a therapist or psychiatrist for diagnosis.
   • If you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, immediately contact a trusted loved one or friend. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for more advice.^[31]

EditVideo

EditTips

• If you are a heavy drinker or you use drugs, these can both cause mood swings with the appearance of bipolar disorder. Abstaining from these substances may help.

EditWarnings

• This article is only intended to help you look for possible symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is not meant to diagnose or treat. Please see a doctor if you think you or a loved one may have bipolar disorder.

EditSources and Citations

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