bipolar

People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion and changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and engage in behaviors that are out of character for them—often without recognizing their likely harmful or undesirable effects. These distinct periods are called mood episodes. Mood episodes are very different from the person’s usual moods and behaviors. During an episode, the symptoms last every day for most of the day. Episodes may also last for longer periods, such as several days or weeks. 

People with bipolar disorder can have periods of high energy, pleasure seeking and even increased productivity, which can alternate with depression, excessive sleeping and feelings of despair and sometimes suicidality. Other experiences may include:

•  Feeling very up, high, elated, or extremely irritable or touchy 
•  Feeling very down or sad, or anxious 
• Having a decreased need for sleep
•  Talking fast about a lot of different things (“flight of ideas” or "racing thoughts")
•  Having excessive appetite for food, drinking, sex, or other pleasurable activities 
•  Feeling hopeless or worthless, or thinking about death or suicide 

 Adapted from NIMH