Signs And Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar I disorder consists of periods of depression and mania. Symptoms of mania occur for a period of 1 week (Bipolar II, previously termed “hypomania” symptoms last approximately 4 days and may be less intense than Bipolar I symptoms). These symptoms include:
- Persistently euphoric or expansive/elevated mood
- Irritable or labile mood.
Also, during this time period of mood disturbance at least three of the following symptoms have persisted or four symptoms if the mood is only irritable:
- Decreased need for sleep
- Distractibility
- Excessive speech, more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
- Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
- Grandiose (delusional) thinking
- Religious preoccupation
- Increase in goal-directed activities
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that will result in problems later on.
In bipolar I disorder, mixed episodes, and even in Bipolar II disorder, there are clients who feel and act extremely impulsively, which often results in physical injury; attempted suicide or homicide; experience of increased energy; experience of decreased appetite or forgetting to eat, which leads to weight loss; hypersexual feelings that can increase the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases; engaging in substance abuse; and creating financial hardship. Elevated vital signs may be present during the physical assessment. Additionally, the client has problems functioning on a day-to-day basis, problems with primary relationships, or problems functioning at work or school.
Medical professionals like psychiatrists and psychologists diagnoses bipolar disorder by looking for certain signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.
