Manic episodes are characterized by an elevated mood, excessive energy, and impulsive behaviours that can lead to unintended decisions. These can often disrupt a person’s daily functioning and relationships.

Symptoms:

• Inflated sense of self-importance or grandiosity

• Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling rested after only a few hours of sleep)

• Increased talkativeness or pressure to keep talking

• Risk-taking behaviours, such as reckless spending or unsafe sexual practices

• Racing thoughts, jumping from one topic to another without completing ideas

• Irritability or anger when others don’t align with the individual's ideas or actions

• Frequent arguments or conflicts

• Emotional distance or detachment

• Difficulty communicating or expressing feelings

• Difficulty trusting or feeling insecure

• Jealousy or possessiveness

• Feelings of loneliness or neglect

• Difficulty resolving conflicts or finding compromises

Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder bring a deep sense of sadness and hopelessness with a lack of energy and motivation. Individuals may feel disconnected from their life and experience difficulty engaging in everyday activities.

Symptoms:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness

• Lack of interest or pleasure in activities once found enjoyable

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feeling "foggy"

• Increased appetite or significant weight loss, or changes in sleep patterns

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or a strong desire to withdraw from life

• Fatigue, even with adequate rest, and a constant feeling of being drained

Cyclothymic disorder involves alternating periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that are less extreme than full manic or depressive episodes. These can make it challenging for individuals to maintain emotional stability or healthy relationships.

Symptoms:

• Recurrent mood swings that last for at least two years, but do not meet the full criteria for mania or depression

• Brief periods of elevated mood (hypomania) followed by depressive symptoms

• Difficulty maintaining relationships due to unpredictability and mood inconsistency

• Low self-esteem and a sense of being “out of control” during mood swings

• A tendency to feel “incomplete” or constantly seeking emotional highs

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that typically occurs with the change of seasons and often experience low energy, difficulty concentrating, and a tendency to isolate themselves.

Symptoms:

• Depression that occurs at a specific time each year, often during the fall and winter months

• Increased sleep and difficulty getting out of bed

• Weight gain due to emotional eating and cravings for comfort foods

• Loss of interest in socializing, with a tendency to isolate oneself

• Difficulty concentrating and loss of motivation, particularly in work or school tasks

Hypomanic episodes involve a noticeable increase in energy, mood elevation, and impulsivity, though less extreme than full mania. These may lead to risky behaviours and poor decision-making.

Symptoms:

• Elevated mood with a noticeable increase in energy and activity levels

• Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired

• Increased talkativeness, often appearing "overenthusiastic"

• Impulsive behaviours, such as making hasty decisions with minimal planning

• Heightened creativity or a sense of mental clarity, often accompanied by an increase in work productivity

• A sense that one is capable of achieving anything, often leading to risky decisions

Emotional dysregulation causes extreme mood fluctuations that are disproportionate to external events. These can lead to irritability, impulsivity, and emotional exhaustion.

Symptoms:

• Rapid shifts in mood that seem disproportionate to the situation at hand

• Chronic irritability, particularly in response to stress or perceived rejection

• Overreacting to minor setbacks, feeling overwhelmed easily

• Difficulty maintaining emotional balance, often swinging between emotional extremes

• Tendency to feel emotionally drained after interacting with others, especially in social or work settings

Postpartum mood difficulties, including postpartum depression and anxiety, occur after childbirth and significantly affect a new parent’s emotional health. These conditions may involve feelings of guilt, irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.

Symptoms:

• Severe mood swings, from extreme irritability to deep sadness, following childbirth

• Anxiety or panic attacks, often triggered by concerns about motherhood or the baby’s well-being

• Difficulty bonding with the baby, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping, impacting the ability to care for oneself or others

• Suicidal thoughts or feelings of being overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood