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  1. Bipolar disorder - Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    Symptoms can last over a few weeks, months, or even years. The symptoms vary during the manic and depressive phase. And without any symptoms, in between episodes of mania and depression.

    The manic phase is characterized by:

    • Extreme happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
    • Irritability, anger, fits of rage and hostile behavior
    • Restlessness
    • Agitation
    • Rapid speech
    • Poor concentration and judgment
    • Increased energy
    • Less need for sleep
    • Unusually high sex drive
    • Setting unrealistic goals
    • Paranoia

    The depressive phase may include:

    • Sadness and crying
    • Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt
    • Loss of energy
    • Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities
    • Trouble concentrating and making decisions
    • Irritability
    • Need for more sleep or sleeplessness
    • Change in appetite
    • Weight loss/gain
    • Suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide

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    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • The causes of bipolar disorder differ between individuals, and the exact mechanism is not clear.
    • Genetics- often reported in families of affected individuals
    • Brain structure- abnormal brain structure and function
    • Seasonal depression and certain other mental illness such as anxiety disorder
    • The risk factors include:
    • Family history
    • Stress
    • Drug or alcohol abuse

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    Complications

    Verified Expert

    If timely treatment is not provided, bipolar disorder could lead to:

    • Damaged and strained relationships, in and outside the home
    • Poor performance at school or work
    • Alcohol and drug abuse
    • Financial difficulties
    • Suicidal thoughts and attempts

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    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Bipolar disorder lasts for a lifetime, with treatments aiming at managing the symptoms by psychotherapy and medication.

    Medication

    Mood stabilizers: Helps control extreme mood variations.

    Carbamazepine . Lamotrigine . Valproate

    Antipsychotic drugs: Help reduce symptoms of psychosis such as illusion, hallucination, etc.

    Olanzapine . Quetiapine . Lurasidone . Cariprazine

    Antidepressants: Helps stabilize the mood swings.

    Sertraline . Fluoxetine . Citalopram . Desvenlafaxine . Duloxetine . Levomilnacipran . Venlafaxine

    Antianxiety drugs: Reduces anxiousness.

    Alprazolam . Clonazepam . Diazepam . Lorazepam . Oxazepam

    See more
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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Symptoms
    Causes
    Complications
    Does bipolar II require a depressive episode?
    Treatment
    Health guide
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  1. Bipolar depressive episodes1234:
    • Are part of the mood cycling in bipolar disorder.
    • Tend to last longer than periods of mania or hypomania.
    • Can last anywhere from 2 weeks to several months.
    • Are similar to "regular" clinical depression, with symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of pleasure, low energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide.
    Learn more:
    Bipolar depression refers to the depressive episodes that are part of the mood cycling in bipolar disorder. Evidence shows that bipolar depressive episodes tend to last longer than periods of mania or hypomania. Depressive episodes can last anywhere from 2 weeks to several months.

    Bipolar Depression: Symptoms, Diagnosi…

    www.healthline.com/health/bipolar/bipolar-depressi…
    When your usual mood changes to mania, hypomania, or depression, it's called a mood episode. (You can also have a "mixed" episode which includes both "up" and "down" symptoms.) Your symptoms could last a week or two. They could also last much longer. Without treatment, you're likely to have more frequent mood episodes.

    Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Tre…

    www.webmd.com/depression/bipolar-disorder-man…
    Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder are similar to "regular" clinical depression, with depressed mood, loss of pleasure, low energy and activity, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. Depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder can last weeks or months, but rarely longer than one year.

    Bipolar I Disorder Symptoms, Treatments…

    www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-1-disorder
    Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder result in a low mood or loss of pleasure in life. Research shows that depressive episodes in bipolar disorder tend to last longer than mania or hypomania episodes. The episodes last at least 2 weeks, but in some cases, they can last for months.

    Bipolar Stages: 3 Phases to Be Aware of …

    www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/bipola…
     
  2. People also ask
    Is bipolar depression a depressive episode?
    Bipolar depression is a depressive episode that occurs as part of the mood cycling in bipolar disorder. Though very common, a depressive episode is not required for a bipolar I diagnosis. It is, however, part of the criteria for bipolar II. If you think you’re experiencing bipolar depression, you’re not alone.

    Bipolar Depression: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Healthline

    healthline.com
    How does a person with bipolar disorder behave?

    Dr. ANUVITHA KAMATH

    MBBS · 3 years of exp

    Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition, in which extreme mood swings are seen. Sometimes, there will be a state of euphoria and mania(high energy levels), alternating with extremely depressed and low moods. So, this disorder is also known as manic depression. In a manic state, there will be symptoms of high energy, extreme enthusiasm, sleeplessness, increased activity, a high level of self-confidence, and talkativeness. In an episode of depression, symptoms will be like loss of interest in work, crying, loss of energy, loss of thinking ability, loss of appetite, and significant weight loss. It can be treated by psychotherapy, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizer medicine
    Q&A: Bipolar Disorder
    microsoftstart.msn.com
    Does bipolar II require a depressive episode?
    Bipolar II also requires at least one depressive episode. Bipolar disorder is a chronic disorder, and so it requires a long-term treatment plan, even when you aren’t having noticeable symptoms. Medications for bipolar disorder can help stabilize your moods so that you can carry out your daily tasks with as few interruptions as possible.

    Bipolar Depression: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Healthline

    healthline.com
    What is bipolar depression?
    Bipolar depression is a period of low mood, fatigue, and lack of motivation that someone with bipolar disorder may experience. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mood disorder that affects close to 3% of people in the United States.

    Bipolar Depression Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment - Verywell Mind

    verywellmind.com
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/...

    Bipolar disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

     
  4. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com/health/bipo…

    Bipolar Depression: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and …

    WEBFeb 1, 2023 · Bipolar depression refers to the depressive episodes that are part of the mood cycling in bipolar disorder. Evidence shows that bipolar …

    • Mind
      https://www.mind.org.uk/.../bipolar-disorder/bipolar-moods-sympto…

      Bipolar mood episodes and symptoms - Mind

    • Verywell Mind
      https://www.verywellmind.com/bipolar …

      Bipolar Depression Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

      WEBMay 8, 2023 · Bipolar depression is a period of low mood, fatigue, and lack of motivation that someone with bipolar disorder may experience. Learn how to recognize the signs, causes, and treatment options for bipolar …

    • Cleveland Clinic
      https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9294-

      Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression): Symptoms & Treatment

    • NIMH
      https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics…

      Bipolar Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health …

      WEBBipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes mood episodes of mania and depression. Learn about the signs, symptoms, types, and treatment options for bipolar disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health …

    • Mayo Clinic
      https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/...

      Bipolar disorder - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

    • Healthline
      https://www.healthline.com/health/bipo…

      9 Treatments for Bipolar Disorder Depression - Healthline

      WEBOct 4, 2023 · Here are nine ways to boost your mood during a depressive episode: 1. Take medications as prescribed. If you have bipolar depression, a doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications...

    • Healthline
      https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder

      What’s Bipolar Disorder? How Do I Know If I Have It? - Healthline

    • BMJ Best Practice
      https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/488

      Bipolar disorder in adults - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment