Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder causing emotional highs, known as mania or hypomania, with lows of depression. When someone is in a period of mania because of bipolar disorder, they might be euphoric, energetic, or irritable, and hypomania is less extreme than mania. The depressive periods in bipolar disorder include hopelessness, sadness, and loss of pleasure in interest in most activities.

Mood swings or episodes can occur multiple times a year in some people or be somewhat rare.

It’s normal to experience occasional ups and downs in your emotions and feelings, but extreme mood shifts define bipolar disorder.

When a person has bipolar, they might not experience any emotional symptoms as they’re between episodes.

The condition is considered lifelong but manageable and treatable. Symptoms can be controlled with an appropriate treatment plan, typically psychotherapy, and medication.

At Centric Behavioral Health, we offer bipolar disorder treatment in Florida that’s immersive, innovative, and client-driven, as well as compassionate.

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Most people’s bipolar symptoms begin sometime between late adolescence and early adulthood. Children may rarely have symptoms.

The symptoms can vary depending on the person and the type of bipolar they have.

• Bipolar I disorder includes manic episodes lasting at least seven days, for most of the day almost every day, or it can be diagnosed when manic symptoms are severe to the point that hospitalization is required. Separate depressive episodes will usually occur in bipolar I disorder too, and these often last at least two weeks.
• Bipolar II disorder includes depressive and hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes aren’t as severe as the manic episodes of bipolar I.
• Cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, includes recurrent depressive and hypomanic symptoms that aren’t severe enough to be considered hypomanic or depressive.

Specific symptoms of a manic episode can include:

• Feeling elated, jumpy, or irritable
• Being more active than normal
• Feelings of exaggerated power, talent, or importance 
• Racing thoughts
• Reduced need to sleep
• Talking fast about many different things (known as a flight of ideas)
• Excessive desire for pleasurable activities, like drinking, sex, or food
• Feeling like you can do a lot of things all at once and not get tired

Symptoms of a depressive episode include:

• Problems with concentration and decision-making
• Challenges falling asleep, waking up early, or sleeping too much
• Loss of interest
• Not able to do simple tasks
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Thinking about death or suicide
• Feeling slow or restless
• Feeling sad or anxious