what are the symptoms of biopolar?

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings-from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

1. Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
2. Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
3. Extreme irritability
4. Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
5. Distractibility, can't concentrate well
6. Little sleep needed
7. Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
8. Poor judgment
9. Spending sprees
10. A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
11. Increased sexual drive
12. Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
13. Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
14. Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

1. Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
2. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
3. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
4. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
5. Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
6. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
7. Restlessness or irritability
8. Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
9. Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
10. Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
11. Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.

A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

They spout strange notions and rant and rave every time the moon is full. They lose their temper at the drop of a hat or a word as moon approaches full. They can act crazy and be quite crazy indeed. They very much need vitamin B etc.

My mother in law has it. She will get so excited and hyper and very impulsive one minute, the next minute she's moody, depressed, angry , and crying.

http://www.webmd.com

One sure sign is a roller coaster swing in mood.