Sage-Tips

Can bipolar cause hypersensitivity?

Hearing hypersensitivity is a fairly common mood symptom with bipolar.

What are some common symptoms that patients experience when affected by bipolar disorder?

Both a manic and a hypomanic episode include three or more of these symptoms:

• Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired.
• Increased activity, energy or agitation.
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Unusual talkativeness.
• Racing thoughts.
• Distractibility.

What factors may make it difficult to diagnose a person with bipolar disorder as opposed to another disorder?

A major reason for the difficult diagnosis is the challenge of differentiating bipolar disorder type I or II from unipolar depression—an illness characterised by recurrent depressive episodes— especially in patients who present during a depressive episode and in those with no clear history of mania or hypomania.

Do people with bipolar get offended easily?

Anger isn’t a symptom of bipolar disorder, but many people who have the disorder, as well as their family and friends, may report frequent bouts with the emotion. For some people with bipolar disorder, irritability is perceived as anger and may become as severe as rage.

Does bipolar disorder get worse with age?

Bipolar may worsen with age or overtime if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.

What is considered severe bipolar disorder?

Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by predominantly depressive episodes accompanied by occasional hypomanic episodes. Hypomanic episodes are milder than manic episodes but can still impair functioning.

What are some of the challenges with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

Even with the advances in DSM-5 nosology, accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder remains challenging because of its: (1) complex, variable symptoms (with different bipolar subtypes, mood states, courses, and age-dependent presentations); and (2) confounding comorbidities (eg, substance abuse, anxiety, disruptive …

What is the difference between high and low bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by extreme changes in mood from high to low, and from low to high. Highs are periods of mania, while lows are periods of depression. The changes in mood…

Can you have a bipolar episode and not experience any symptoms?

While most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy).

Do people with bipolar disorder have a higher level of creativity?

Often, our excessive creativity during euphoric mania is seen as a personality trait or a sign of intelligence. I simply see it as fascinating mania symptoms. Intelligence happens when we can recreate these behaviors when we are not manic. I DO find that people with bipolar disorder are abnormally focused on learning.

What does it mean to have bipolar disorder not otherwise specified?

Bipolar disorder not otherwise specified is a general category for a person who only has some symptoms of bipolar disorder. These symptoms are not enough to make a diagnosis of one of the other three types. Hear from real people who live with bipolar disorder.