How Do You Diffrintiate Between A Person Suffering From Bipolar Disorder Or If The Person Is Just Moody?
what are the differences….certain symptoms that crapper definitely entertainer the distinction between both,etc.
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to be diagnosed as bipolar, one need have experienced manic symptoms altered by depressive periods for at least 3 months. and the person would show extreme and lasting symptoms of both the manic period and depressive periods.moodiness is just being sad for a few hours or days.
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, manic depressive disorder or bipolar affective disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of “normal” mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.
Signs and symptoms
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people experience abnormally elevated (manic or hypomanic) and abnormally depressed states for a period of time in a way that interferes with functioning. Bipolar disorder has been estimated to afflict more than 5 million Americans—about 1 out of every 45 adults.[4] It is equally prevalent in men and women, and is found across all cultures and ethnic groups.[5] Not everyone’s symptoms are the same, and there is no blood test to confirm the disorder. Scientists believe that bipolar disorder may be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Bipolar disorder can appear to be unipolar depression. Diagnosing bipolar disorder is difficult, even for mental health professionals. What distinguishes bipolar disorder from unipolar depression is that the affected person jumps between states of mania and depression. Often bipolar is inconsistent among patients because some people feel depressed more often than not and experience little mania whereas others may predominantly experience manic symptom.
Major depressive episode
Main article: Major depressive episode
Signs and symptoms of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; depersonalization; loss of interest in sexual activity; shyness or social anxiety; irritability, chronic pain (with or without a known cause); lack of motivation; and morbid suicidal ideation.[6] In severe cases, the individual may become psychotic, a condition also known as severe bipolar depression with psychotic features.
Manic episode
Main article: Mania
Mania is generally characterized by a distinct period of an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood state. People commonly experience an increase in energy and a decreased need for sleep. A person’s speech may be pressured, with thoughts experienced as racing. Attention span is low and a person in a manic state may be easily distracted. Judgment may become impaired; sufferers may go on spending sprees or engage in behavior that is quite abnormal for them. They may indulge in substance abuse, particularly alcohol or other depressants, cocaine or other stimulants, or sleeping pills. Their behavior may become aggressive, intolerant or intrusive. People may feel out of control or unstoppable. People may feel they have been “chosen”, are “on a special mission”, or other grandiose or delusional ideas. Sexual drive may increase. At more extreme phases of bipolar I, a person in a manic state can begin to experience psychosis, or a break with reality, where thinking is affected along with mood.[7] Many people in a manic state experience severe anxiety and are very irritable (to the point of rage), while others are euphoric and grandiose.
In order to be diagnosed with mania according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly referred to as the DSM) a person must experience this state of elevated or irritable mood, as well as other symptoms, for at least one week, less if hospitalization is required. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.”[8]
Hypomanic episode
Main article: Hypomanic episode
Hypomania is generally a mild to moderate level of mania, characterized by optimism, pressure of speech and activity, and decre
Depression – to tired to get out of bed, shower, brush your teeth….. lie in bed and stare at the ceiling for days at a time, crying a lot, feelings of guilt, and self loathing, may be suicidal but are too tired to even consider planning it, sleep 16 hours a day or more, eating too much or not enough.
Manic – over the moon happy, hypersexual (like masturbating 10 times a day or sleeping with numerous men, strangers, your cousin…….decide you are bi because then there are twice as many people to have sex with, decide you are into BDSM and contrct to be someones slave for a week), spending your mortgage money on african violets (or some other useless things), driving your car 120 mph, grandious thoughts (like thinking you can put a new furnace in your house by yourself), quitting your job because you are buying lottery tickets with your last paycheck and you know you will win…… only sleep 2 or 3 hours a night and not be tired, can’t concentrate, racing thoughts (it sounds like 50 people in your head all talking at the same time).
People confuse mood with emotion….. mood affects everything about you. Your energy level, sleep patterns, appetite, emotional response (which emotions you feel and how strongly), your judgement, sexual appetite, etc……. Bipolar is not about being happy one minute then sad the next then mad….. The mood swings in Bipolar last a very long time (weeks, months, years) and the average Bipolar only swings once or twice a year
That’s really for a professional to decide.
Here’s a website with all the DSM IV disorder descriptions, just to give you an idea, but there are a lot of conditions affecting our psyches, and lay people really aren’t qualified to make subtle distinctions—only a professional can do that:http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/_misc/…
Just do a search for bipolar, but maybe look around at some of the other conditions.
I agree with whoever said not to judge. If you’re concerned about yourself, see a psychologist.
If you’re concerned about someone else, consider that they might not want your input if they haven’t asked for it.
Unless you think they’re going to hurt themselves or someone else, it might be unhelpful for you to march up to them with your unprofessional diagnosis. Some people consider that judgmental, perhaps rude. Even if you were a qualified doctor, they might tell you to mind your own business.
If you know they’re not like that, or if they ask for help, perhaps be supportive and encourage them to see a professional. Again, no need for you to offer a diagnosis. If you’re not a doctor—and THEIR doctor—it’s not really your place.
Good luck.
Moodiness happens only once in awhile
Bipolar is a constant thing with someone
Moodiness is less frequent, and bipolar is much more extreme moods
bipolar: my mom going through menopause
moody: my sister on her monthly visit
no need to judge people. If there is a serious problem see a doctor