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Signs & Symptoms - Manic phase

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Sometimes, a person may seem continuously high, happy, and euphoric, or irritable, angry, and aggressive, for at least one week. If this change in mood is accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms, the person may be in the manic phase of bipolar disorder:

• exaggerated self-esteem or feeling of grandeur

• decreased need for sleep

• more talkative than usual

• racing thoughts

• easily distracted

• excessive energy for activities

• engaging in risky behavior or exhibiting poor judgement.

A less intense form of mania is hypo-mania. The symptoms of hypo-mania are less severe than those of mania. The person may feel happy and have a lot of energy, but his or her life usually is not seriously disrupted. Hypo-mania may progress to a full-blown manic episode or a severe depression and therefore also requires treatment.

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Signs & Symptoms - Depressive phase

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A person may be experiencing the depressive phase of bipolar disorder if at least five of the following symptoms are present for at least two weeks and experienced on most days:

• depressed mood

• loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyable

• weight loss or gain

• difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

• apathy or agitation

• loss of energy

• feelings of worthlessness and guilt

• inability to concentrate

• thoughts of suicide (which should always be taken seriously)

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Signs & Symptoms - Mixed episodes

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Some people with bipolar disorder experience manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. This is called a mixed episode. For example, someone experiencing a mixed episode may think and speak very rapidly. At the same time, they may be very anxious and have suicidal thoughts. Mixed episodes are hard to diagnose and are very painful for the individual.

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Other symptoms 

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People with bipolar disorder may also experience other symptoms, such as losing touch with reality, hearing voices or having ideas that are not based in reality. These symptoms can be very frightening for the person having them and for others.

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Catatonic symptoms

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Up to 25 per cent of people experiencing episodes of depression or mania also have problems with movement, called catatonic symptoms. These may include extreme physical agitation, slowness, and odd movements or postures.

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