The signs of bipolar disorder vary depending upon whether the observation is taken while a person is manic or depressive. If an individual is manic, she may be impulsive, hostile, and overly sexual. When an individual is in a state of depression, the signs of bipolar disorder can include sadness, lack of concentration, and avoidance of loved ones.
Bipolar disorder is sometimes referred to as manic depression. This is a condition characterized by the tendency to alternate between mania, which is a state where a person is abnormally elated, and depression, which is a state where a person is abnormally sad and unmotivated. Knowing this provides an indicator of one of the most common signs of bipolar disorder — mood instability. One reason the drastic changing of moods has a negative impact is because it adversely affects a person’s relationships.
Mood instability also creates a problem because each extreme of this disorder may be accompanied by it own set of problematic symptoms. Some people may suffer from certain signs of bipolar disorder more than others because their moods may not fluctuate equally. A person may primarily experience mania and rarely get depressed.
When a person is in a manic state, for example, it is likely that her mood will be elevated above what is considered normal. During this time, she may be highly motivated to act spontaneously. These spontaneous actions often result in problems because the individual either does not consider the consequences or disregards them. During this time she may make drastic decisions such as quitting a job, ending a long-term relationship, or making major purchases.
Although a bipolar person’s mood is elevated while she is manic, she may not necessarily be overly friendly. To the contrary, she may become very irritable and even hostile. In addition to this, a person with bipolar may not be able to control her thoughts. It may seem as if her mind is overworking because the ideas are streaming together too fast. This may be revealed to other people by her speech, which may be rapid and rambling.
There are a number of other behavioral symptoms associated with the manic episodes of this disease. An increase in energy accompanied by a period of restlessness are common indicators. The individual may also become extremely more sexual.
When an individual with bipolar disease experiences depression, her energy level is likely to reduce drastically. She may lose interest and motivation in most of her regular activities and habits. This can include important obligations, such as going to school or work. It is also very likely that her sexual interest will fade, since many people in this condition feel incapable of enjoying anything. They are generally overcome with deep feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
During the depressed state, a person may also have problems with her mental stability. She may not be able to concentrate and common tasks may seem overwhelming. The combination of negative symptoms she experiences may cause her to begin avoiding her family and other associates.
A person's mood will not always fluctuate to the same extremes. The intensity of a person’s moods plays a role in determining which signs of bipolar disorder she will experience. If a person is mildly depressed, for example, the disease may not have the same effects as it did on an occasion when she was severely depressed.
