Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness marked by intense mood swings. It can be difficult to detect due to its varying symptoms and similarities to other mental health conditions. Being able to identify bipolar disorder symptoms in females or males can make it easier to get yourself or a loved one needed help.
Explore the warning signs of bipolar disorder and how it compares to other conditions and emotions to take control of your mental health.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme emotional highs and lows called manic and depressive episodes. When manic, you may feel energetic, euphoric or unusually irritated, but shifting into a depressive episode can produce intense feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
These mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times per year, causing varying symptoms depending on the type of bipolar disorder. The three main diagnoses are:
- Bipolar I disorder. You’ve experienced at least one manic and one major depressive episode. For some individuals, mania also triggers psychosis or a break from reality.
- Bipolar II disorder. You’ve experienced at least one hypomanic and one major depressive episode but not mania.
- Cyclothymic disorder. You’ve experienced several periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least 2 years.
Bipolar disorder affects an estimated 5.7 million adults annually, with higher rates of rapidly shifting mood swings reported in women.
Common Bipolar Disorder Symptoms in Females and Males
You can tell if someone is bipolar by learning how to identify common symptoms. Although the disorder can occur at any age, people are usually diagnosed in their teens or early 20s because symptoms can change over time.
You may not experience every symptom listed. However, common manic episode symptoms can include:
- Increased energy, activity or agitation
- Exaggerated self-confidence
- Euphoric or upbeat feelings
- Talkativeness and rapidly switching between topics
- Racing thoughts
- Insomnia or restlessness
- Impulsive behavior and decision-making
- Low appetite
When manic, you may experience psychosis that requires hospitalization.
Meanwhile, major depressive symptoms can include:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Decreased ability to concentrate or make decisions
- Social isolation
- Slowed speech
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Bipolar Disorder vs. Anger, Stress or Mood Swings
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can overlap with common emotions, including anger and stress. Being angry can cause feelings similar to those experienced during manic episodes.
For example, you may become agitated, overly energetic or talkative, making it difficult to focus or make decisions. However, anger usually has a clear cause, such as being lied to or suffering mistreatment at work. You also must experience depressive episodes to have bipolar disorder.
Stress also carries similarities to bipolar disorder. Restlessness, anxiety, racing thoughts and impulsiveness play a role in both conditions. Additionally, stress can cause mood swings, impacting your emotions, sleep, appetite and concentration. These symptoms typically end once the stressor is eliminated.
With bipolar disorder, your symptoms won’t have a clear reason for existing. They also won’t disappear on their own and can significantly impact your life over the long term without treatment.
Conditions Similar to Bipolar Disorder
Manic and depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder also occur in other mental health conditions. Understanding the differences between conditions ensures you receive the right support for your health and well-being.
Major Depressive Disorder
If you have bipolar disorder, the symptoms experienced during a depressive episode may align with those associated with major depressive disorder. A mood disorder, MDD affects a person’s mood and thoughts, causing low energy and feelings of sadness and worthlessness. These feelings make maintaining a job or interpersonal relationships challenging. You may have MDD if you show signs of depression but not manic or hypomanic symptoms.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder share overlapping symptoms, including mood swings and impulsive behavior. Both conditions also increase an individual’s risk of suicide. That said, BPD is strongly associated with childhood trauma, causing paranoid thinking, fear of abandonment and an unstable self-image. Bipolar disorder can also result from childhood trauma, but it has a stronger genetic link.
Anxiety Disorder
Mania and anxiety can feel similar, which explains why professionals sometimes misdiagnose bipolar disorder as an anxiety disorder. About half of people with bipolar disorder may also develop anxiety at some point in their lives, further conflating the two conditions.
However, you may experience symptoms differently with anxiety than with bipolar disorder. For example, anxiety often produces irrational fears, which may cause you to avoid socializing or entering unknown situations. Mania typically encourages talkativeness and reduces fear of the unknown.
What to Do If You Believe You Have Bipolar Disorder
If you think you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, seek help from a medical professional. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition requiring ongoing treatment to help regulate your emotions. A psychiatrist can compare your symptoms to those of bipolar disorder and other relevant mental health conditions to decide next steps.
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with a combination of medication and support services, including therapy or counseling. If you experience psychosis, suicidal thoughts or excessively dangerous or reckless behavior, your doctor may recommend short- or long-term hospitalization to enhance safety.
Regardless of the treatment option, maintaining your safety and well-being should be prioritized. It’s possible to lead a fulfilling life with bipolar disorder when you take appropriate measures.
Don’t let poor mental health dominate your life. At Mental Health Hotline, we offer free, confidential, 24-hour support for individuals in distress. You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out today to connect with a counselor and get the help you need.
