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Thanks2HP · 10-31-2008, 11:34 AM

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. People who have this illness tend to experience extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviors. These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes.

The symptoms of a manic episode often include elevated mood (feeling extremely happy), being extremely irritable and anxious, talking too fast and too much, and having an unusual increase in energy and a reduced need for sleep. It's also very common for someone to act impulsively during a manic episode, and engage in behaviors that are risky or that they later regret, like spending sprees. And in over half of all manic episodes, people are troubled by delusions or hallucinations. For example, they may think they have a relationship with someone famous, claim to be an expert in an area they really know nothing about, feel paranoid (unusually fearful), or hear voices that are not there.

The symptoms of a depressive episode often include an overwhelming feeling of emptiness or sadness, a lack of energy, a loss of interest in things, trouble concentrating, changes in normal sleep or appetite, and/or thoughts of dying or suicide.

******************

Nope, I've never been really happy. I've had a few good days here and there.

I haven't had hallucinations. Delusions, maybe. It sure feels like doom and gloom to me but I know I don't have any celebrity friends. I haven't heard voices. I don't know what it is like to experience an "unusual increase in energy" and seem to always feel tired.

I used to sleep as much as I could and didn't have trouble sleeping. It's only been the past couple of months that I can't sleep more than 4 or 5 hrs a night.

I can definitely identify with the "symptoms of a depressive episode".

" These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes."

Is it possible to be bi-polar and only experience depressive episodes?

Thanks again for posting.

10-31-2008, 11:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Thanks2HP Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Hotel California Posts: 175	Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. People who have this illness tend to experience extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviors. These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes. The symptoms of a manic episode often include elevated mood (feeling extremely happy), being extremely irritable and anxious, talking too fast and too much, and having an unusual increase in energy and a reduced need for sleep. It's also very common for someone to act impulsively during a manic episode, and engage in behaviors that are risky or that they later regret, like spending sprees. And in over half of all manic episodes, people are troubled by delusions or hallucinations. For example, they may think they have a relationship with someone famous, claim to be an expert in an area they really know nothing about, feel paranoid (unusually fearful), or hear voices that are not there. The symptoms of a depressive episode often include an overwhelming feeling of emptiness or sadness, a lack of energy, a loss of interest in things, trouble concentrating, changes in normal sleep or appetite, and/or thoughts of dying or suicide. ****************** Nope, I've never been really happy. I've had a few good days here and there. I haven't had hallucinations. Delusions, maybe. It sure feels like doom and gloom to me but I know I don't have any celebrity friends. I haven't heard voices. I don't know what it is like to experience an "unusual increase in energy" and seem to always feel tired. I used to sleep as much as I could and didn't have trouble sleeping. It's only been the past couple of months that I can't sleep more than 4 or 5 hrs a night. I can definitely identify with the "symptoms of a depressive episode". " These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes." Is it possible to be bi-polar and only experience depressive episodes? Thanks again for posting.