Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the majority of people. 

Manic episodes may include:

• Feel very “up,” “high,” or elated with a lot of energy
• Have increased activity levels feeling “jumpy” or “wired”
• Have trouble sleeping and are more active than usual
• Talk really fast about a lot of different things
• May be agitated, irritable, or “touchy”
• Feel like their thoughts are going very fast

Depressive episodes may include:

• Feel very sad, down, empty, or hopeless with little energy
• Have decreased activity levels, tired or “slowed down”
• Have trouble sleeping, may sleep too much
• Feel like they can’t enjoy anything
• Trouble concentrating, worried and empty, forgetful
• Think about death or suicide