Page 15 - Vision Manual

disorder experience the symptoms of depression discussed above. In order to qualify for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, there must also be at least one period of time where a person experiences mania. Mania is defined by some or all of the following symptoms:
 Feelings of extreme happiness or excitement- This happiness or excitement is not due to things going on in the person’s life, or is not proportionate to the things going on. It is excessive and oftentimes present.
 Feeling irritable- Irritability, anger, or general disrupted emotions contribute to an overall experience of frustration with others. Sometimes this can be due to feeling misunderstood or underappreciated.
 Feeling unrealistically self-confident- Oftentimes a person who is experiencing mania will feel as if they are capable of things that are beyond human ability, or that they are special in ways that are grandiose or overwhelming. This grandiosity might also cause feelings of capability in areas where they are not actually capable.
 Sleeping less- During mania a person might sleep only a few hours a night, or not at all. They might not feel tired, and in fact might go several days without sleeping.
 Talking a lot- Sometimes mania causes someone to talk so fast that their words come out faster than they intended. This can make it hard for them to communicate, be heard, and to hear others.
 Having racing thoughts- Unlike anxious rumination, mania can cause someone to think very, very quickly and about many different things at once. This can cause disorganization and a loss of focus.
 Being easily distracted and extremely active- Oftentimes individuals with bipolar disorder struggle with focus and attentiveness and jump from task to task, moving quickly and taking little time to organize themselves or their space.
 Being impulsive or making risky choices- Risky decision-making and questionable judgments can sometimes come up for people with mania. This oftentimes takes the form of overspending, gambling, unnecessary risk taking with vehicles or personal safety, engaging in dangerous sexual relationships, and overuse of drugs or alcohol.
In addition to these symptoms, individuals with bipolar disorder sometimes struggle with psychoses that are similar to those experienced by individuals with schizophrenia. These include grandiose delusions, hallucinations, and confused thinking.
Questions: What is your experience with bipolar disorder? What do you think might help with these symptoms?
What is the course of mood disorders?
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