Bipolar Disorder Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

Dramatic mood swings, ranging from elated excitability to hopeless despondency
Periods of normal mood in between ups and downs
Extreme changes in energy and behavior

Signs and symptoms of mania include:

Persistent and inexplicable elevation in mood
Increased energy and effort toward goal-directed activities
Restlessness and agitation
Racing thoughts, jumping from one idea to another
Rapid speech or pressure to keep talking
Trouble concentrating
Decreased need for sleep
Overconfidence or inflated self-esteem
Poor judgment, often involving spending sprees and sexual indiscretions

Signs and symptoms of depression include:

Prolonged sad, hopeless, or empty mood
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy or fatigue
Trouble concentrating, remembering, and/or making decisions
Restlessness or diminished movements
Agitation
Sleeping too much or too little
Unintended weight loss or gain
Thoughts of death or suicide with or without suicide attempts

Severe episodes of mania or depression may sometimes be associated with psychotic symptoms such as:

Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorders of thought

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam may be done. In some cases, lab tests are ordered. They will help to rule out other causes of mood and behavior symptoms. You may be referred to a mental health specialist. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is based on:

Presence of symptoms over time
Absence of other causes, such as some medications, thyroid disease, or Parkinson's disease
Family history of bipolar disorder

Mania is diagnosed if:

Mood is elevated and there are three or more mania symptoms (listed above)
- If the mood is irritable, not elevated, four symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of mania
Symptoms last during most of the day, nearly every day, for one week or longer

A depressive episode is diagnosed if:

There are five or more of the depressive symptoms (listed above)
Symptoms last for most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of two weeks or longer

Some medicines and other medical issues may show similar features such as:

Corticosteroids
Thyroid disease
Multiple sclerosis

The diagnosis is made only when none of these causes are present.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.