Find us again!
Click here, then add the page to your Favorites or Bookmarks.

Over 175 articles on:

• Mood, anxiety
• Treatments
• Medications
• Lifestyles
• The system
• Book reviews
• Personal stories

Help support Moodletter
with $12/year?

Moodletter provides information, hope and help to people living with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder and those who care for them. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

©2006-2010 Moodletter, Inc.
All rights reserved

Type I

Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is a type of depression characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Severity of symptoms varies with individuals and also varies over time.

Symptoms of depression

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
  
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
  
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
  
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  
• Restlessness, irritability
  
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Symptoms of mania

• Abnormal or excessive elation
  
• Unusual irritability
  
• Decreased need for sleep
  
• Grandiose notions
  
• Increased talking
  
• Racing thoughts
  
• Increased sexual desire
  
• Markedly increased energy
  
• Poor judgment
  
• Inappropriate social behavior

See Understanding bipolar disorder

Type II or Bipolar Spectrum Disorder

Researchers have recently been developing new insights into bipolar II and what is being called bipolar disorder or bipolar spectrum disorder because its characteristics occur along a continuum.

Some signs and symptoms of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder (or Soft bipolar disorder)
Symptoms and their severity vary by individual and over time.

• outgoing
• creative
• productive
• energized
• impatient
• insomnia
• irritability
• negative thinking
• fatigue, decreased energy
• inability to concentrate
• persistent sad or empty mood
• loss of interest in activities
• thoughts of death or suicide

Related articles
What is hypomania?
Bipolar II and the bipolar spectrum

More articles

Page updated March 1, 2010