Bipolar disorder is a medical condition that is connected to the psychology of the person. When a person is suffering from this disorder, they have periods of excitability or mania that alternate with periods of depression. These are also called as mood swings that can suddenly occur between mania and depression.
People with Bipolar disorder have an extremely taxing time both professionally and personally as family members and colleagues may find it hard to deal with them.

Symptoms of Bipolar disorder

The most common symptom is manic phase that can last from several days to several months and may include the following:

• Restlessness or irritation
• Elevated mood that can make the patient suddenly extremely happy and delirious
• Hyperactivity
• Increased energy
• Lack of self control
• Racing thoughts
• The person may suffer from inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
• Need some sleep
• Excessive involvement in activities
• Sudden loss of temper
• Cruel acts
• Inability to decide
• Judgment impaired
• Spending sprees
• Tendency to be easily distracted

There are 2 forms of bipolar disorders:

• Bipolar disorder I
• Bipolar disorder II

Most of the symptoms mentioned above are seen in bipolar disorder I. In bipolar disorder II, hypomanic episodes have less intense symptoms that milder in nature.

Some patients also run through an extremely depressive phase that involves similar symptoms in the form of major depression. Some of the symptoms are:

• Inability to concentrate with an effect of memory and decision making power
• The person may suffer from eating disorders
• Decreased appetite with a drop in weight
• In complete contrast on one of the above symptoms, the person may suffer from overeating and weight gain
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Negative thoughts that involve feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness and guilt
• Decreased confidence
• Prolonged depression
• Suicidal tendencies

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