Types of Bipolar:
There are two main categories of bipolar: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is characterized by mania and depression (see below). Bipolar I is generally easier to diagnose with the grandiose symptoms.
Bipolar II is usually characterized by hypomania (slightly below mania) and depression (also below). If you know someone with less severe mood swings, consider having them evaluated by a doctor for Bipolar II.
Common signs and symptoms of mania include:
- Feeling unusually “high” and optimistic or extremely irritable
- Unrealistic, grandiose beliefs about one’s abilities or powers
- Sleeping very little, but feeling extremely energetic
- Talking so rapidly that others can’t keep up
- Racing thoughts; jumping quickly from one idea to the next
- Highly distractible, unable to concentrate
- Impaired judgment and impulsiveness
- Acting recklessly without thinking about the consequences (reckless driving, affairs, drug use, compulsive spending)
- Delusions and hallucinations (in severe cases)
Common symptoms of bipolar depression/anxiety include:
- Feeling hopeless, sad, or empty.
- Irritability
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Physical and mental sluggishness
- Appetite or weight changes
- Sleep problems
- Concentration and memory problems
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Common signs of Hypomania include:
Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. People in a hypomanic state feel euphoric or irritable, energetic, and productive, but they are able to carry on with their day-to-day lives and they never lose touch with reality. Hypomania can result in bad decisions that harm relationships, careers, and reputations. In addition, hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania or is followed by a major depressive episode. People who spend most of their time in hypomania (rather than mania) may have Bipolar II.
Common signs of Mixed or Rapid Cycling include:
With mixed cycling bipolar disorder, there is both mania and depression at the same time. The person has the manic energy to act on depressive thoughts. This can be a dangerous combination.
Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is characterized by four or more mood episodes that occur within a 12-month period. Some people experience multiple episodes within a single week, or even within a single day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness. A rapid-cycling pattern increases risk for severe depression and suicide attempts.
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms
BIPOLAR TESTS
There are many Bipolar Tests available. These can be useful in getting a general idea of a mood disorder to take to a doctor for diagnosis. Below is a sampling of tests (use at your own risk):
Quick Online Test for Bipolar:
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/bipolar-testing/goldberg-bipolar/ Printable Test for Bipolar I:
http://www.alternativedepressiontherapy.com/bipolar-test.html Printable Test for Bipolar II:
http://www.bipolardisorderliving.com/bipolar-ii-test-a-quick-online-test-to-see-if-you-are-experiencing-symptoms-of-bipolar-ii-disorder/Bipolar Mania test:
http://www.healthyplace.com/psychological-tests/bipolar-mania-test/ After a couple periods of mania, I was turning into a different person. My husband asked me to take a quiz he had printed out. I got to the bottom of one page and said out of the blue, “I just feel like I’m the life of the party!” I turned the page and the next question asked, “Do you feel like you’re the life of the party?” I was like, “Ohh…That’s funny!” Needless to say, the results penned me as “Severely Manic.”
