Signs You Might Have Bipolar Disorder

It’s not unusual to go through times when your mood is elevated or you feel low. But if extreme mood cycles are disrupting your day-to-day life, bipolar disorder could be the cause. 

The board-certified team at Magnolia Medical Group, with offices in Denver and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, practitioners offer expert diagnosis and management of bipolar disorder. We’ve created this guide to help you better understand what to look for in bipolar disorder.  

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that triggers mood cycles or extreme changes in energy, activity, mood, and cognitive functioning. 

The condition is usually diagnosed when you’re a teenager or young adult. However, symptoms can appear earlier; in some people, they can be missed until later in adulthood. 

Researchers are working to understand the cause of bipolar disorder, but believe it may be linked to a combination of factors, including:

• Structural differences in the brain
• Differences in brain function or brain chemistry
• Genetics

They are also investigating the role of trauma, substance use, and stress. 

Is all bipolar disorder the same?

The three main types of bipolar disorder are bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder. Many symptoms are associated with the condition, and their characteristics and how they come together inform which type you have.

Bipolar I

Bipolar I disorder has mania as the major characteristic. The primary problems involve extreme mood swings, risky behavior, and, for some people, delusions or psychosis. However, people with bipolar I can also have severe depression.  

Bipolar II

For people with bipolar II disorder, depression is a major problem. People with bipolar II may also experience some milder symptoms of mania, called hypomania. This means symptoms are less extreme and don’t last as long. 

Cyclothymic disorder

When you have less dramatic symptoms that regularly move between hypomania and depression, followed by periods of mood stability, you may be diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder or cyclothymia. 

How can I tell if my symptoms point to bipolar?

Recognizing the signs of bipolar disorder is difficult since the symptoms and the severity, characteristics, and durations of mania and depression episodes vary. To help, here’s a look at the most common symptoms of mania and depressive episodes. 

What mania symptoms can look like

Mania is when you experience a period with an abnormally elevated mood, an abnormally irritable mood, or have an unusual amount of energy for a week or longer. Common signs include:

• Not needing as much sleep
• Feeling wired, extremely happy, or “high”
• Feeling invincible
• Having racing thoughts
• Not feeling hungry/weight loss
• Getting easily distracted
• Feelings of grandiosity
• Talking very fast or changing topics quickly
• Feeling jumpy, restless, or impulsive

You might also take part in risky behaviors, like spending excessive amounts of money, engaging in impulsive and risky sexual behaviors, or misusing substances. 

What symptoms of a depressive episode can look like

In bipolar disorder, the periods of low mood are called depressive episodes and are characterized by the following:

• Feeling hopeless, sad, or down
• Lacking energy or feeling fatigued 
• Not finding pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Talking more slowly than normal 
• Feeling like you’re moving slowly
• Sleeping troubles
• Changes in appetite and/or weight changes
• Trouble with memory, decision-making, or concentration
• Struggling to carry out normal activities

Depressive episodes can also be characterized by thoughts about death, dying, and suicide.  

Additional signs of bipolar to watch for

It’s important to understand that other mental health conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit & hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and major depression disorder, share many of the above symptoms. 

For this reason, it’s important to look for some additional signs of bipolar, including: 

• Experiencing symptoms of both manic and depressive episodes
• Having symptoms that first began in early adulthood or adolescence
• Noticing that your symptoms or behaviors differ from previous symptoms and behaviors

Another sign of bipolar disorder is ignoring the people, places, events, and other things that were important to you before your symptoms began. 

What should I do if I recognize any symptoms?

At Magnolia Medical Group, your provider works with you to accurately diagnose the cause of your symptoms so you can get the help you need. Once your provider diagnoses your condition, they create a personalized bipolar management and treatment plan.  

The details of your treatment depend on your unique situation, but most people with bipolar disorder take mood-stabilizing medications. These pharmaceuticals are essential in helping prevent mood swings. Your plan may also include:

• Other medications, like antidepressants or addiction medications
• Counseling and therapy
• Lifestyle changes

Get effective help for bipolar by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone with a provider at Magnolia Medical Group in Denver or Wheat Ridge, Colorado.