Bipolar Disorder Facts

Just because someone has mood swings or an anger problem does NOT mean they have Bipolar Disorder

• In fact, mood swings and irritability are more commonly caused by depression, anxiety or problems with drugs or alcohol
• Bipolar disorder, type 1 – depression and/or mania and hypomania
• Bipolar disorder, type 2 – depression and/or hypomania
• Mixed episodes can occur in both. These have features of mania and depression
• Most commonly starts in teens/young adults. Most genetic of all psychiatric disorders
• People with bipolar disorder are often smarter and more creative than the average person
• High risk of other psychiatric disorders
• High suicide rates
• Treated with mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sometimes benzodiazepines and antidepressants

Mania

• Lasts at least one week, with symptoms present for most of the day, every day
• Irritable or inappropriate happy (“elevated”) mood
• Increased energy
• Decreased need for sleep
• Racing thoughts, talking fast
• Increased “goal-directed activity”: Taking on projects that are unrealistic, attempting to accomplish a lot of tasks, pursuing many new ideas
• Easily distracted
• Increased “risk-taking”: Unprotected sex, drug use, gambling or high-risk business ventures
• Can have psychosis: Often “grandiose delusions” where the person thinks they are famous person or religious figure or that they have incredible talent or super powers
• Functioning is impaired

Hypomania

• Symptoms are similar to mania, but less severe
• Does not cause significant impairment in functioning
• Does not require hospitalization
• No psychosis

Bipolar Depression

• Often the most difficult part of the illness to treat
• Often the most disabling part of the illness
• Very high risk of suicide (as well as mixed episodes)
• 10 to 15% of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide, usually during depressive episodes