Symptomatology


 * Bipolar Disorder Symptomatology **

Symptoms vary widely between people living with bipolar disorder. Likewise, the severity of symptoms is quite variable. Nevertheless, there seems to be common symptoms for both manic and depressive states.


 * Manic Episode **

“ A person may seem abnormally and continuously high, happy, expansive and euphoric, or irritable, angry, disruptive and aggressive” (CAMH, 2000). The symptoms of hypomania are similar, but less severe than those of mania. A person has an elevated mood and can be overly energetic. However, his or her behaviour may not be seen as completely atypical.
 * Hypomania **


 * Depressive Episode **

A person who is experiencing a depressive episode may possess a number of the following symptoms:


 * Other symptoms **

In some instances of serve episodes of mania or depression people experience psychotic symptoms. They may begin to have hallucinations or delusions that are reflective of their mood. For instance, a person who is in a major manic state may have delusions of grandeur believing that he or she is famous, rich or omnipotent. Often a person who is experiencing a severe manic or depressive episode will be in a state of psychosis where they will have distorted perceptions that are not based in reality, they may also begin to hear voices. These psychotic symptoms often lead to an incorrect diagnosis of schizophrenia.
 * Psychosis **

Some people with bipolar disorder will experience changes in mood very rapidly. If there is an occurrence of at least 4 major depressive, manic, hypomanic or mix episodes within a year a person may be diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar disorder (Maj, 2006). Some people may also experience mood shifts that occur more frequently, sometimes within a day.
 * Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder **