Sometimes people experience both manic and depressive symptoms in the same episode, and this is called an episode with mixed features. Lack of interest in almost all activitiesįeeling unusually important, talented, or powerfulįeeling hopeless or worthless, or thinking about death or suicide Trouble concentrating or making decisionsįeeling able to do many things at once without getting tiredĮxcessive appetite for food, drinking, sex, or other pleasurable activities Talking very slowly, feeling unable to find anything to say, or forgetting a lot Talking fast about a lot of different things (“flight of ideas”) Trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, or sleeping too much Episodes may also last for longer periods, such as several days or weeks.įeeling very up, high, elated, or extremely irritable or touchyįeeling jumpy or wired, more active than usual During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day.

These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are very different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and uncharacteristic behaviors-often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects. Following a prescribed treatment plan can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Although the symptoms may vary over time, bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment.

Occasionally, bipolar symptoms can appear in children. Sometimes a person might experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not match the three categories listed above, and this is referred to as “other specified and unspecified bipolar and related disorders.”īipolar disorder is typically diagnosed during late adolescence (teen years) or early adulthood. Cyclothymic disorder (also called cyclothymia) is defined by recurrent hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are not intense enough or do not last long enough to qualify as hypomanic or depressive episodes.Bipolar II disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but the episodes are less severe than the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder.

The experience of four or more episodes of mania or depression within a year is termed “rapid cycling.” Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks.

Bipolar I disorder is defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days (most of the day, nearly every day) or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care.

Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, irritable, or energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. There are three types of bipolar disorder.

Research Training and Career Development Opportunitiesīipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

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