Bipolar disorder is notoriously hard to diagnose and is frequently confused with schizophrenia or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania.
The symptoms of a manic episode include:
- Feeling elated, “up,” or “high”
- Increased irritability
- Jumpiness
- A decreased need for sleep
- Loss of appetite
- Talking very fast and changing subjects rapidly
- Feeling like your thoughts are racing
- Feeling like you can do anything or lots of things at once
- Engaging in risky behaviors like high spending or unprotected sex
- Feeling unusually important, talented, or powerful
Hypomania is less severe than mania and less likely to cause hallucinations or psychotic episodes. In any case, the “high” does not stop at an acceptable level and people with bipolar disorder find it difficult to control their emotions and impulses.
Many people who suffer from bipolar disorder also experience bouts of depression.
The following symptoms are associated with depressive episodes:
- Feeling sad, “down,” empty, worried, or hopeless
- Feeling slowed down or upset
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes to appetite and weight
- Talking slowly and forgetting things
- Trouble making decisions
- Feeling unable to complete simple tasks
- Having little interest in activities
- An inability to experience pleasure
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Suicidal thoughts and ideation
Most people pursue diagnosis and treatment during depressive episodes. Sometimes, feelings of mania and depression occur in the same episode or fluctuate rapidly in “an episode with mixed features.” Often, loved ones can identify the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder more easily than those experiencing them.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a manic or depressive episode, the Tapestry team can help.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
How we address your bipolar disorder will depend on how your mental illness is categorized.
Bipolar I Disorder occurs when people have one or more episodes of mania. These episodes last at least 7 days or are so severe they require hospitalization. People with Bipolar I Disorder may have depressive episodes as well, but depression is not necessary for a diagnosis.
Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by depressive episodes and a back and forth between depression and hypomania. People with Bipolar II disorder have never had a “full” manic episode.
Cyclothymic Disorder or Cyclothymia is a long-lasting disorder in which people experience a chronically unstable mood state with hypomania and mild depression. Sometimes, people with cyclothymia have “normal” periods, but they do not last for more than 8 weeks.
“Other” or “Unspecified” Bipolar Disorders refer to those who do not meet the diagnostic requirements of other bipolar disorders but experience clinically significant mood elevation.
Our caring professionals and comfortable facilities are equipped to help you with all types of bipolar disorders.
