Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental health condition that is characterized by intense and unpredictable changes in mood. There are two key symptoms of bipolar disorder—episodes of mania (or hypomania) and episodes of depression.
Symptoms of Mania:
- Impulsivity; making poor choices
- Abnormal excitement and high energy
- Less demand for sleep
- Hallucination and psychosis
Mania vs Hypomania: Although hypomania includes mostly the same symptoms as mania, they are less extreme and do not significantly affect day-to-day life such as work, school, and relationships. Hypomania is typically linked to Bipolar II Disorder.
Symptoms of Major Depressive episodes:
- Feelings of unhappiness, hopelessness, emptiness
- Drastic shifts in sleeping patterns
- Appetite and weight change
- Feelings of suicide
- Inability to concentrate and be decisive
