Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings, such as emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood swings often affect a person’s energy, activity levels, and even their concentration, making it difficult to complete the most basic daily tasks. There are three types of bipolar disorder and they all involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels:
Manic episodes-
These are periods of extreme elation, irritability, or energized behavior. People may feel overly excited, productive, and invincible. Less severe manic episodes are called hypomanic episodes.
Depressive episodes-
These are periods of extreme sadness, indifference, or hopelessness. People may feel extremely sad, hopeless, and tired, and lose interest in most activities.
Mixed episodes-
These episodes include both manic and depressive symptoms together. For example, someone may feel very sad and empty, while also feeling extremely energized.
Episodes of mania and depression can last for several days or longer. These symptoms can last every day for most of the day during an episode. The high and low phases of bipolar disorder can be so extreme that they often interfere with the activities of everyday life.