bipolar Disorders
bipolar Disorders
“Normal” mood change can be viewed as a pendulum that swings back and forth between “happy” and “sad.” Most people recognize these patterns and can usually adjust accordingly. In bipolar disorder, however, the pendulum swings abruptly from one mood to another so that sadness becomes depression and happiness becomes mania leading to emotional extremes that can feel unmanageable. The pendulum can cycle so rapidly or unpredictably that an individual never has a chance to achieve a resting point where emotions are under control (euthymic state). Shifts in mood can be triggered by external stimuli or can seem to shift for no apparent reason. The following are symptoms that can be indicative of Bipolar Disorder:
- Severe mood swings
- Irritability or anger
- Increased or decreased need for sleep
- Racing and tangential thoughts
- Hyperverbal speech (talking too much/too fast)
- Impulsivity/risky behavior
- Depression
- Psychosis
Bipolar Disorder Articles