Bipolar Symptoms and Hypomania

The importance of recognizing the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, known until recently as Manic Depression, cannot be overestimated.

Severe Bipolar Disorder may sometimes be wrongly diagnosed as Schizophrenia. Hallucinatory and delusional episodes may accompany the condition which to the patient can appear all too real. Even those with Major Depression may suffer hallucinations and delusions, although unless the case is extreme, the patient knows full well that these aren't real.

Those with severe Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia, especially the latter, aren't so lucky. Their delusional visions are all too real to them. There we have the first difficulty in diagnosis. It's all too easy to simply pass off the condition to Schizophrenia. So symptoms both manic and depressive must be explored. Here are seven of the most important.

The first symptom is the euphoric mood in the manic state, followed by its opposite condition in the depressive state of sadness and anxiety, usually for a protracted period. Now there may be a few days while the pendulum swings from one state to another, or it may happen overnight.

The second symptom in the manic state is talking very fast, due to thoughts racing through the patient's head. Unfortunately, they seldom make a lot of sense, due to their speed, corresponding jumble and disparate nature. Then the illness swings back again to where the patient feels hopeless and constantly pessimistic. The thoughts, if he or she has any, are covered by clouds too thick to penetrate.

The third manic symptom is extreme energy, when the patient's hyperactive. They tend to run around, laying their hands on any work that appears to need doing and refusing to rest because they say they have no need. Then back comes the old pendulum, and we find the poor person in a state of constant fatigue, unwilling, indeed sometimes unable, to rise from their beds.

Then along comes the fourth manic state, entitled by some as 'overly aggressive behaviour.' I prefer to call it their 'take charge' phase, which I feel, with great respect, to be a little more accurate. They believe that they know best and should be the leader in any endeavour. This phase can prove, if not disastrous, then decidedly embarrassing, because of course their thoughts are still jumbled and unclear. The depressive state produces guilt and feelings of worthlessness, the opposite to their 'take charge' state.

The fifth state is similar, in that their manic condition has them believing that they possess unrealistic abilities. It goes without saying that they must be watched like a hawk during these episodes. I would think that the opposite in the depressive state would be that of either insomnia or oversleeping.

The sixth manic symptom finds them becoming very irritable. This is probably brought about because they realize, deep down, that none of their supposed 'abilities' bring any fruition. By this time, their depressive state pursues them with constant pain. Everything hurts and aches and probably the best they can do is shuffle around.

The seventh manic state sees the patient falling into denial. Nothing's wrong with them, so what's all the fuss about? The depressive state may bring the most serious tendency of all. Thoughts of suicide.

Running through the middle of all this, as it were, we find a condition known as Hypomania. This, strictly by itself, can be an excellent condition. A person's thoughts move quickly, but with far more sense and accuracy. Sufferers, if that's the correct term, of this condition, have often been known to do first class work, so on the face of it, Hypomania is eminently desirable. Except for one thing.

If you have this condition, then you're almost certainly susceptible to manic overtures which can develop into full blown Bipolar Disorder, with all its attendant complications. So, delightful as this condition may seem at first, a visit to a psychiatrist would be more than wise, to discuss the probability, and I use the word advisedly, of developing a Bipolar Disorder. It's a shame, but Hypomania carries hidden thorns.