with bipolar disorder you alternate between episodes of depression and mania. in between you may return completely to normal or have some remaining symptoms. the extreme mood changes may come on suddenly or appear more slowly. during a manic episode you may be abnormally happy energetic or very irritable for a week or more. initially you may feel incredibly productive or creative. you may feel powerful and seductive and think there is nothing you can't accomplish. but as a manic episode progresses you may behave wildly and irresponsibly spending a lot of money getting involved in dangerous activities and sleeping very little. you may also have a hard time functioning in your job and relationships. after a manic episode you may return to normal or your mood may swing in the opposite direction and you may feel useless hopeless and extremely sad. when you are depressed you may have trouble concentrating remembering and making decisions. you may have changes in your eating and sleeping habits. and you may lose interest in things you have enjoyed in the past. some people become suicidal or harm themselves during episodes of depression. some feel as if they can't move care or think. men tend to have more manic episodes while women have more episodes of depression. 6 initially stress may trigger depression or mania. but as the illness progresses mood swings may not be caused by any specific event. without treatment your bipolar disorder may get worse causing you to move more often between mania and depression. people with bipolar disorder are more likely to have one or more risk factors of cardiovascular disease including obesity high blood pressure and diabetes. 7 your physical health will be watched closely by your doctor. webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. © 1995-2011 healthwise incorporated. healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated.
what happens to someone when they get bipolar disorder?