Some people do not take bipolar disorder seriously. They do not understand that this is actually a very real and very difficult situation. But recognizing and starting to treat it is important for both the patient and his environment to be able to live a happy life.
It is important to be clearly aware of the symptoms of this disease to identify it in our loved ones or even ourselves. Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder can be controlled.
How to diagnose bipolar disorder
Diagnosing this condition is very difficult, especially because the patient often resists care. This complicates unstable behavior. As a result, it is often confused with psychosis or depression.
The behavior of a person with bipolar disorder
1. Sharp mood swings
Bipolar disorder involves sudden mood swings. A person with bipolar disorder can instantly go from a state of uncontrolled euphoria to a state of deep sadness. Such changes can be caused by very simple factors that may seem insignificant to a more mentally stable person.
A person with bipolar disorder can also spend a long time in a certain mood, whether stable, depressed, or manic. But these mood swings are not necessarily related to specific situations or patterns.
Sometimes they feel fantastic for a long time. They feel so full of energy that they do not feel the need to sleep.
In fact, they may spend several days without sleep, being unfocused and irritable at the same time. This is a phase of mania, which consists of extremes in behavior: high sexual desire, excess energy, and even aggression.
2. Sadness
A person with bipolar disorder feels very depressed. This causes anxiety, sadness, pessimism, and a strong sense of frustration. The person also completely loses interest in everything, including what she liked during the manic phase.
The person with this disorder is very upset because of not understanding the cause of their deep depression. This can lead to suicidal thoughts.
3. Psychotic traits
One of the reasons for these changes is psychosis, which is often accompanied by bipolar disorder.
Psychosis is a condition that changes a person’s perception of situations, gestures, and words.
A psychotic person may misinterpret what is going on around them.
If the psychosis is severe, patients may even have hallucinations.
4. Hypomania
A person with bipolar disorder may have signs of hypomania. Hypomania – a long period with a high mood.
The person can also be irritable, which is different from his normal mood. Lasts at least 4 or 5 days. Hypomania can also cause high self-esteem or greatness mania. A person can start talking much more than usual.
In general, it is important to keep in mind that a person with bipolar disorder goes through very intense mood swings.
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