Question:
Disruptions in Sleep May Lead to Mania in Bipolar Disorder?
Answer:
Bipolar disorder is the new name for what used to be called manic
depression. It better describes the exaggerated swings of mood from one extreme to
another characteristic of this illness.
People with bipolar disorder suffer from recurrent episodes of elevated mood
(mania) and depression.
Some only experience attacks of mania, without the subsequent steep slide
into depression.
Episodes can range from mild to severe. The less severe form of elevated
mood or 'high' is called 'hypomania'. However, someone with severe hypomania
can still be very ill indeed.
'Mania' is a word used to describe the most severe form of the disorder.
What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Mania
Common symptoms of mania include:
a.. Elevated mood - the person feels extremely 'high', happy and full of
energy; they describe the experience as feeling on top of the world and
invincible.
b.. Increased energy and over-activity.
c.. Reduced need for sleep.
d.. Irritability - people in a hypomanic or manic state may get angry and
irritable with those who disagree or dismiss their sometimes unrealistic
plans or ideas.
e.. Rapid thinking and speech - thoughts are more rapid than usual, and
this can lead to sufferers speaking very quickly and jumping from subject to
subject.
f.. Lack of inhibitions - this can be the result of the person's reduced
ability to foresee the consequences of their actions.
g.. Grandiose plans and beliefs - it is quite common for people in a
hypomanic or manic state to believe they are unusually talented or gifted or
are kings or prime ministers, for example. It is common for religious
beliefs to intensify or for people with this illness to believe that they
are an important religious figure.
h.. Lack of insight - a person in a hypomanic or manic state may
understand that other people see their ideas and actions as inappropriate,
reckless or irrational. However, they are unlikely to recognise the
behaviour as inappropriate in themselves, due to a lack of insight.
