What should you know about manic depression symptoms?

During depression, a person may have low mood, reduced enjoyment, tiredness, slowed thinking, guilt, appetite changes and disturbed sleep. During mania, they may feel unusually driven or irritable, need much less sleep, speak rapidly, jump between ideas, take on many activities or act impulsively. The person may not feel unwell during an elevated episode, while others notice the change. Anxiety, Irritability, Difficulty Concentrating and Daytime Sleepiness can accompany mood disruption but are not specific to bipolar disorder. A health professional reviews the sequence, severity and impact of symptoms and checks for medicine, substance and physical-health explanations.

Track symptoms on a calendar: mood, sleep length and quality, energy, speech, spending, appetite, concentration and contact with others. Share the record with a clinician and identify a trusted person who can flag changes early. Keep meals, sleep and daily activity as regular as possible. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, and postpone major decisions when judgement feels altered. Take prescribed medicines consistently unless the prescriber gives different instructions. If low energy is prominent, also describe any Fatigue or Low Mood.

Urgent help is needed for suicidal thoughts, self-harm, psychosis, severe confusion, inability to meet basic needs or behaviour that could cause immediate harm. Rapidly worsening agitation, repeated nights of minimal sleep or dangerous impulsivity should not wait for a routine appointment. Call local emergency services during immediate danger and prioritise a safe, calm setting.

Ask your clinician: Which symptoms are most useful for distinguishing mania from normal excitement? Could a sleep problem or medicine be contributing? What is my plan for early warning signs? How can I protect sleep during a mood change? What support is available for my household?