niagaramooddisorders.com
  The Mood Disorders Support Group of the Niagara Region
Can you tell me more about the symptoms?
Bipolar disorder (or manic-depression) is a treatable medical illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behaviour. A person’s mood can alternate between symptoms of mania and depression or “highs” and “lows” caused by abnormalities in brain biochemistry.

Symptoms of Mania
  • Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
  • Decreased need for sleep without fatigue
  • Inflated sense of self-importance
  • Excessive irritability, aggressive behaviour
  • Increased physical, mental activity
  • Racing speech, flight of ideas, impulsiveness
  • Poor judgment, easily distracted, difficulty concentrating
  • Reckless behaviour without concern for consequences, such as spending sprees, rash business decisions, erratic driving, sexual indiscretions
  • In severe cases, auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) or delusions (strong convictions about things that aren’t true)
Depression is a treatable illness involving an imbalance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Depression may have a hereditary component. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. You can’t make yourself well by trying to “snap out of it.”

Symptoms of Depression
  • Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
  • Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
  • Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
  • Pessimism, indifference
  • Loss of energy, persistent tiredness
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
  • Inability to concentrate,indecisiveness
  • Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Recurring thoughts of death and suicide
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