Condition
Bipolar Disorder
Shifts in mood and energy that go well beyond ordinary ups and downs.
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of elevated or irritable mood and energy alongside periods of depression. The depressive side is usually what brings people in, which is why the full history matters so much.
Accurate diagnosis changes treatment substantially — antidepressants alone can make things worse if the elevated episodes are missed.
Signs people often notice
- Periods of unusually high energy or reduced need for sleep
- Rapid speech or racing thoughts
- Impulsive decisions out of character for you
- Alternating episodes of depression
- Family history of bipolar disorder
This list is descriptive, not diagnostic. Recognising yourself in it does not mean you have bipolar disorder, and not recognising yourself does not mean you don't. Only a proper evaluation can tell you that.