10 Signs To Identify Bipolar Disorder And How To Deal With It
According to the Depression and Bipolar Disorder Support Alliance, “Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year.” Bipolar disorder is broken down into two main categorizations based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Mental health clinicians evaluate an individual’s symptoms based on DSM-5 criteria to achieve a diagnosis. Based upon the length and severity of mood state changes, diagnosis categories are Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Overall, bipolar disorder presents itself as the ups and downs of typical moods, but much more intense and overwhelming. Here are ten signs that you or your loved one may have bipolar disorder.
1. Intense Happy Mood
While it is great that a person is happy, an unusually intense happy mood may signify a manic state.
2. Depressed mood or irritability
If a person abruptly changes from happy to depressed or an irritated state quickly, this could signify a depressed mood.
3. Problems at Work
Sudden mood swings at work may make it difficult for effective communication within the workplace.
4. Substance Abuse
RELATED ARTICLE: 10 Foods That Scientifically Alter Your Mood
Substance abuse may present as a maladaptive coping habit during manic or depressed mood states.
5. Inability to sleep or sleeping all the time
As a person moves from one state to another, sleeping problems may present itself correlating with the current state. For example, if the person is in manic state, he or she may have difficulty sleeping. If he or she is in depressed state, he or she may not have the energy to get out of bed.
6. Unfinished Projects
While in a manic state, a person will feel capable of large projects that seem impossible to complete when his or her mood suddenly changes into a depressed state.
7.Impulsivity
Displaying impulsive behavior, such as going on a shopping spree or investing in un-researched business projects, can be a sign of a manic state.
8. Unable to Focus or Concentrate
In the depressed state, a person may be unable to complete even the simplest tasks.
9. Racing thoughts or speech
If someone has racing thoughts or extremely fast speech, this could be a symptom of a manic mood.
10.Have both manic and depressed mood state symptoms
If You are looking for natural remedies for depression, click here: 5 Foods That Can Help With Depression
The primary defining factor for bipolar disorder is displaying both manic and depressed state symptoms.
If you or someone you know is displaying these symptoms, you should encourage them to seek a mental health clinician. If you are unsure, you may wish to keep a journal of events to help provide objective clarification regarding different mood states and symptoms.
