What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?
Jul 30, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Bipolar disorder symptoms generally include elevated or irritable mood, depressed mood or loss of interest, extreme changes in energy levels, abnormal thinking and behavior, as well as alterations in sleep and appetite. During manic or hypomanic episodes, individuals may experience persistently elevated mood, an exaggerated sense of well-being, and excessive enthusiasm toward activities. They may also become easily agitated or angry over minor issues and are prone to conflicts with others.
Bipolar disorder symptoms generally include elevated or irritable mood, depressed mood or loss of interest, drastic changes in energy levels, abnormal thinking and behavior, as well as changes in sleep and appetite. If abnormalities are present, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Elevated or irritable mood: During manic or hypomanic episodes, individuals may experience persistently elevated mood, feel extremely good about themselves, and display excessive enthusiasm toward things; alternatively, they may become easily agitated or angry over minor issues, often leading to conflicts with others. This emotional state is significantly different from the individual's usual demeanor.
2. Depressed mood or loss of interest: During depressive episodes, individuals may feel sad and hopeless, lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed, and find it difficult to experience pleasure even when participating in activities. This state may persist for a prolonged period.
3. Extreme changes in energy levels: During manic episodes, individuals may exhibit abnormally high energy levels, feel no fatigue despite significantly reduced sleep, and demonstrate increased activity with an inability to remain still; during depressive episodes, individuals may suffer from severe energy depletion, often feeling tired and weak, even finding simple daily tasks difficult to accomplish.
4. Abnormal thinking and behavior: During manic episodes, individuals may experience accelerated thinking, increased and rapid speech, poor concentration, impulsive behavior, and may make decisions without considering consequences; during depressive episodes, thinking may slow down, speech may decrease, physical movements may become sluggish, and individuals may even withdraw from social interactions.
5. Changes in sleep and appetite: During manic episodes, individuals may experience difficulty falling asleep or reduced sleep duration, and may experience either increased or decreased appetite, with some individuals engaging in binge eating; during depressive episodes, individuals may experience excessive sleep or early morning awakening, significant loss of appetite, and weight changes may occur accordingly.
If the above symptoms appear and persist for a prolonged period, affecting normal daily life, timely professional medical assistance should be sought. With proper evaluation and treatment, symptoms can be effectively managed, minimizing the disorder's impact on daily living.
