Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Research Note
By Reader's Digest Editors
A brief digest about this topic
About 2.5% of Americans—6 million people—experience the often-dramatic mood swings of bipolar disorder. Symptoms cycle between depression and mania. The shifts may be mild or extreme, moving from suicidal lows to excitement, reckless behavior and even hallucinations. About 10 to 20% of people with bipolar disorder have a “rapid cycling” type that swings back and forth as often as every few days or weeks. Others may become stuck in depression for long periods of time, with brief manic phases. In mixed-state bipolar disorder, you get a combination at the same time: Agitation, high energy and trouble sleeping along with sadness or even suicidal thoughts.
Fast Facts:- Symptoms of mania include happiness, extreme hopefulness, high energy, little need for sleep, high sex drive, talkativeness and distractibility.
- But mania also leads to irritability, hostility, and dangerous actions like fast driving, spending sprees, alcohol and drug abuse, and bad business decisions.
- The depression of bipolar disorder can be more severe than regular clinical depression and is more likely to lead to suicide attempts.
- Bipolar disorder usually begins in teen-age years or early 20s; it rarely emerges for the first time after age 50. It’s genetic: A family history raises risk.
- The mood swings are usually unpredictable. For many, depression is predominate and mania is mild. You may be symptom-free for months or years, too.
Red Flags: Common Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
bipolar.about.com — “Behaviors and symptoms that are warning signs of Bipolar Disorder in adults and children.” View full resource at bipolar.about.com
Bipolar Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment of Manic Depression
helpguide.org — “Guide to the signs, symptoms, and treatment of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Learn about triggers, risk factors, and how to help yourself or a loved one.” View full resource at helpguide.org
The Top 3 resources shared on this topic. More resources.
Key stats and trends about this topic
Related WisdomCards
Related Health Centers
Featuring the top 3 experts for this topic
The Reader's Digest Version health cards were created to provide you with the Reader's Digest Version answers to your health questions: quick, succinct, simple, and 100% reliable. Each card was compiled by the editors of Reader's Digest, one of the world's largest and most trusted brands, based on interviews with doctors and the most current scientific research. Our goal: to help you achieve your best health, the simplest, most direct, most trustworthy ways possible.
These health cards were developed in partnership with OrganizedWisdom.com, where health experts find the tools and inspiration to share their wisdom with the world.
Advertisement
