Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a medical condition affecting your moods. It involves episodes in which you swing from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression).

When depressed your mood will be marked by feelings of extreme lethargy and despair, which could lead to thoughts of suicide. When experiencing mania your mood will be severely elevated, which can lead to impulsive and extravagant behaviour and increased risk taking.

What are the signs?

Signs of mania

feeling unusually energetic, excited or happy
feeling irritable or angry if others do not share your excitement
disturbed sleep
reduced concentration and poor memory
thoughts seem to speed up or race
fast speech which sounds or feels pressured
increased sexual interest
reckless or risky behaviour
being unusually abrupt or intolerant of others
grandiose thoughts

Signs of depression

feeling tired or lacking in energy
reduced concentration
negative thinking
withdrawing from social interaction
loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
loss of self-confidence
changes in appetite
changes in sleep pattern
feelings of guilt or sadness

What can I do to help myself?

You may find that you enjoy mania and the enhanced creativity and productivity it brings. This may lead you to think there is nothing wrong at all, until your mood starts to change.

There are several options for treating bipolar disorder, but there are also things you can do to help yourself. Learn to recognise the triggers and signs of an episode of depression or mania - a mood diary will help you to do this. You may find the app, Mappiness, to be helpful in charting your mood.

Your doctor can discuss treatment and medication, which can be very effective in treating the main symptoms of depression and mania. You may also find long-term mood stabilisers effective.