Category: Symptoms

Categories
Symptoms

Depressive episode

Most people with bipolar disorder have depressive episodes in addition to periods of mania or hypomania. A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks.

A depressive episode can lead to listlessness, concentration problems, lack of pleasure, thoughts of death, lack of energy, insomnia or excessive sleep, decreased or increased appetite, being unable to work and avoiding contact with friends or family.

Depressive episode symptoms

During a depressive episode you often show several of the following symptoms:

  • You are indecisive
  • You are no longer interested in your environment
  • It is difficult to concentrate
  • You don’t sleep well
  • You are very tired
  • You have no appetite for food
  • You suffer from physical complaints
  • You don’t want to live longer

What can you do yourself?

Regularity is important when you are in a depressive episode. The following tips may help you:

  • Go to bed at a set time
  • Get up at a set time
  • Exercise is good for you: go walking, cycling or exercising

Adequate relaxation is important. Relaxation exercises can help with this.

Ask your doctor for help if you have problems OR contact a Samaritan

Categories
Symptoms

Hypomania

A hypomania is a period of at least four consecutive days that resembles a mania, but is less severe and does not require admission. In a hypomania you can have the same characteristics as in a mania, but by definition these are never so intense that you get into trouble with them

For example, you can think of a period of increased energy, productivity and creativity, entering into more social contacts, being easily distracted, needing less sleep and experiencing greatly increased self-confidence. During a hypomanic phase, you do not need to be admitted to a psychiatric ward, which is usually the case with mania. Most people with bipolar disorder have depressive episodes in addition to mania or hypomania.

Hypomania symptoms

A hypomania is less extreme than a mania, but the characteristics are quite similar. In a period of hypomania you suffer from at least three of the following hypomania characteristics:

  • You have a bloated self-esteem
  •  You have less need for sleep. You often feel completely rested after a few hours in bed
  •  You are more talkative than usual
  •  You are easily distracted
  •  You undertake more activities
  •  You feel restless
  •  You engage in pleasant activities that can lead to painful situations, such as spending too much money at once

If you have a period of hypomania interspersed with major depressive episodes, it is important to get treatment. Bipolar disorder does not go away by itself. For more information about treating hypomania symptoms, please visit the bipolar disorder treatment page.

What can you do yourself?

If you are in hypomania, the following tips can help you:

  • Go to bed at a set time
  • Get up at a set time
  • Avoid exciting situations
  • Take a rest and cancel appointments
  • Don’t spend too much money all at once

Ask your doctor for help if you have problems OR contact a Samaritan

Categories
Symptoms

Manic episode

A mania is a period of at least a week, during which you are in an abnormally good mood most of the time, need little sleep and are overflowing with energy or very irritable. A mania is not the same as hypomania.

People in such a state think faster, are more talkative, have all kinds of plans and ideas, are often sexually disinhibited and can spend an infinite amount of money. It goes wrong when, for example, you are in debt or – previously stable – relationships are at stake. The situation is also serious when hallucinations and delusions occur.

What else can occur in a mania is loss of shame, hubris, risky or dangerous decisions, quick conflict, aggression and psychotic features. Most people with bipolar disorder have depressive episodes in addition to mania or hypomania.

Features manic episode

A manic episode is a clearly recognizable period with an elevated or irritable mood. During this period you show at least 3 of the following symptoms:

  • You have a bloated self-esteem
  • You have less need for sleep. You often feel completely rested after a few hours in bed
  • You are more talkative than usual
  • You are easily distracted
  • You undertake more activities
  • You feel restless
  • You engage in pleasant activities that can lead to painful situations, such as spending too much money at once

In addition, a manic period often causes:

  • Difficulties in the field of work, relationships and social activities
  • Necessary admission to a psychiatric ward
  • Psychotic features

During a manic period you lose sight of reality. You buy things that you cannot afford or you run other (financial) risks.

Treatment of the manic episode

If you have manic episodes interspersed with major depressive episodes, it is important to get treatment. Bipolar disorder does not go away by itself. For more information about our treatments, please visit this bipolar disorder treatment page.

What can you do yourself?

If you are in a manic period, the following tips can help you:

  • Make sure you go to bed early
  • Get up at a set time
  • Avoid tension
  • Try to take a rest
  • Don’t spend too much money all at once

Ask your doctor for help if you have problems OR contact a Samaritan