Bipolar Disorder

If you suffer from bipolar disorder you will tend to suffer from both depression and mania. Furthermore, you will have been manic at least once in your life. Often you will switch between depression and mania. Mania is almost the exact opposite of depression.

During manic episodes you may:

• Be in excessively high spirits
• Be full of energy 
• Be hyperactive
• Be unable to concentrate
• Act inappropriately
• Be over-talkative
• Be unrealistic and overestimate yourself
• Have grand ideas and schemes
• Not be able to carry out planned activities
• Have greater sex drive
• Have decreased need for sleep
• Be prone to overspending
• Be disinhibited and irresponsible with over-inflated self-esteem

You may do things that you regret once the mania passes.

What is hypomania

Hypomania is a condition characterised by mild manic symptoms:

• Elevated or irritable mood
• Increased activity or restlessness
• You may be unable to concentrate
• Reduced need for sleep
• Greater sex drive
• You may seem communicative, but you may not be making sense
• Greater compulsion to talk or spend money