There is an active debate about the increasing diagnosis of bipolar disorders in the population. One argument holds, that cited symptoms are too far ranging to make a specific diagnosis. A counter argument is that there are many different presentations of bipolar disorder that are now being recognized. The traditional profile of bipolar disorder is that of extreme mood swings that alternate equally between mania and severe depression. However, more people likely present with a broad array of complex symptoms. In fact, people with bipolar disorders experience many more depressive symptoms during their lifetime than manic episodes. For this reason, it is not unusual for a patient to be first prescribed an antidepressant and or an anti-anxiety medication only, before a more effective mood stabilizing medication is considered. In fact, years of taking antidepressant medications that never work, never work completely, cause more mood swings or frequently stop working, is a common experience for individuals with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder has been called “the great masquerader” because it shares so many features of other psychiatric conditions.
20% to 40% of adults with bipolar disorder often realize the onset of symptoms in childhood. Early-onset bipolar disorder, which is defined as the onset before 18 years old, appears to increase in presentation during the late years of adolescence. The most common symptoms associated with elevated mood in adolescents are mood instability, easy distractibility, irritability, increased energy, over focus on certain activities, impulsiveness, and hypersexuality.
The diagnosis of bipolar disorder still carries a greater stigma than unipolar depression (depression without manic episodes), because it is associated with instability of mood, erratic, irresponsible, less trustworthy, and unpredictable behavior. For this reason, people may initially reject the diagnosis, and recommendations for treatment. In contrast, it is not unusual that when someone confides that they have unipolar depression, other people respond more empathically, sympathetically, and possibly disclose that they too, or someone they know has also suffered from unipolar depression. Finally, because of the fear of stigma and poor prognosis, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder is often rejected by parents, and health care providers of children, and adolescents.
Self care, and management strategies for bipolar disorder include: Sleep, rest, diet, avoidance of alcohol and other substances, exercise, regular monitoring and adjustment of medication, reflective, meditative and spiritual practices, avoidance of stress, understanding the disorder, educating others about the disorder, and staying connected to meaningful people.
Following below, grouped into categories, are some of the many symptoms of bipolar disorders. This list is a compilation from many sources including the new DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition):
Distress and Stress Feelings:
Fearful Feelings:
Angry Feelings:
Unstable Feelings:
Ability to Think:
Loss of Energy:
Feelings of Sadness:
Overdriven Feelings:
Self-Attitudes:
Speech:
Behavior:
Keep in mind, given the many biological, developmental, and life changes that humans experience, the symptom profiles of bipolar disorder, may vary over time.