People having a manic episode may:
- Be more agitated, irritable, or “touchy”
- Engage in more risky behaviours, such as spending a lot of money or have reckless sex
- Feel very “up,” “high,” or elated
- Have a lot of energy and less need for sleep
- Have increased activity levels and restlessness
- Make grand and unrealistic plans
- Show poor judgment and reckless decision-making
- Talk really fast about a lot of different things
People having a depressive episode may:
- Feel like they can’t enjoy things they once liked
- Feel irritable
- Feel tired or “slowed down”
- Feel very sad, worthless or hopeless
- Have decreased activity levels
- Have thoughts about death or suicide
- Have trouble concentrating
- Have trouble sleeping, or sleep too much
- Have unusual changes (increase or decrease) in appetite
Sometimes, a mood episode includes both manic and depressive symptoms. People experiencing such an episode with mixed features may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at the same time feeling extremely energised. These unusual shifts in intense emotions, changes in sleep patterns and unusual behaviours experienced by people with bipolar disorder can have a significant impact on their daily lives.