Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar disorder shows episodes or severe mood swings of mania and depression. The intensity of bipolar symptoms varies from mild-to-severe.

Signs and symptoms of maniac phase of bipolar disorder include:

• Racing speech and thoughts

• High energy

• Decreased need for sleep

• Elevated mood and exaggerated optimism

• Increased physical and mental activity

• Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior and impatience

• Poor judgment

• Reckless behavior, like excessive spending, making rash decisions and erratic driving

• Difficulty concentrating

• Inflated sense of self-importance

• Drug abuse

• Sadness

• Hopelessness

• Suicidal thoughts or behavior

• Anxiety 

• Guilt

• Sleep problems

• Appetite problems

• Fatigue

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Problems concentrating

• Irritability

• Chronic pain without a known cause

Next page: Causes of Bipolar disorder

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 05, 2011