Extreme highs & lows
I feel up then suddenly down or sad
I feel happy and sad at the same time
My life feels like it is on a roller coaster
I feel I can take on the world
I feel like I have crashed into a wall
I feel that my moods go up and down
People comment on my moods
I can be the life of the party or I withdraw to be alone
My mood is out of step with my life
I have irregular sleeping patterns
I use drugs or alcohol to get me going or to slow me down
Further Information
People may experience serious extremes of mood, to the point where their moods interfere with their everyday life. If you have bipolar disorder, your mood is likely to go through extreme highs (known as mania or hypomania) and lows (known as depression). However, what those moods feel like and how quickly or slowly you move between high and low moods is different for everyone. As a result, several different types of bipolar disorder have been identified.The mood changes and feelings experienced by people with bipolar disorder are different from mood changes that most people experience in everyday life. Mood changes that occur as a result of bipolar disorder are extremely disruptive and impact on a person’s ability to function day to day.
Signs and symptoms
When experiencing a manic episode, it’s common to feel or experience:
- Really happy
- Energetic
- Racing thoughts
- Irritable
- A reduced need to sleep
- More sexual than usual
When experiencing a depressed episode, it’s common to feel or experience:
- Uninterested in all activities
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss or gain
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- A loss of energy
- Unable to concentrate
You may experience just a few of these, or many more than that – it’s different for everyone.
