What is bipolar I disorder?

Bipolar I disorder is a condition that causes periods of severe changes in your mood, activity levels, energy, and ability to carry out everyday tasks. These changes are commonly called “mood episodes.”

Although you may feel like you’re the only one if it’s happening to you, there are 3 million Americans affected by bipolar I disorder each year.

While anyone can develop bipolar I disorder, it often starts in the late teen or early adult years and it lasts a lifetime. Children and older adults may develop bipolar I disorder as well.

Medical researchers believe that it can result from many factors, including an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which may be too high or too low.

Did you know?

Bipolar I disorder often runs in families. If you have a family history of bipolar I disorder, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.

Video: What mania and bipolar I depression may feel like.

What mania and bipolar I depression may feel like

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Symptoms to consider talking to your healthcare provider about

Select a mood state below to see common symptoms. Not all of these symptoms may be indicative of bipolar I.

Commonly referred to as the "lows," depressive symptoms include at least five of the following, lasting for at least two weeks:

Feeling very down or sad

Feeling worried and empty

Sleeping too much or too little

Changes in appetite or weight

Having little to no interest or pleasure in your hobbies

Having trouble concentrating

Thinking about death or suicide

Feeling like you can’t enjoy anything

Forgetting things a lot

Having trouble sleeping

Feeling very down or sad

Feeling worried and empty

Sleeping too much or too little

Changes in appetite or weight

Having little to no interest
or pleasure in your hobbies

Having trouble concentrating

Forgetting things a lot

Thinking about death or suicide

Having trouble sleeping

Feeling like you can’t enjoy anything

Mixed episodes occur when highs and lows are experienced at the same time. For example, you may be having a mixed episode if you’re:

Having trouble concentrating

Having too much energy while feeling very sad

Behaving impulsively

Thinking about death or suicide

Feeling exhausted but overly wired

Feeling jumpy or wired

Feeling like you can't enjoy anything

Being talkative while pessimistic

Feeling like your thoughts are coming very fast

Forgetting things a lot

Behaving impulsively while feeling exhausted

Becoming more active than usual

Having trouble sleeping

Having higher than usual energy levels

Having trouble concentrating

Forgetting things a lot

Thinking about death or suicide

Having trouble sleeping

Feeling like you can't enjoy anything

Feeling exhausted but overly wired

Having too much energy
while feeling very sad

Being talkative while pessimistic

Behaving impulsively
while feeling exhausted

Behaving impulsively

Feeling jumpy or wired

Feeling like your thoughts
are coming very fast

Becoming more active than usual

Having higher than usual energy levels

Commonly referred to as the "highs," manic symptoms include at least three of the following (four if the mood is only irritable), lasting for at least one week:

Behaving impulsively

Feeling jumpy or wired

Feeling like your thoughts are coming very fast

Becoming more active than usual

Having higher than usual energy levels

Being agitated, irritable, or touchy

Not feeling tired or needing little sleep

Talking really fast about a lot of different things

Thinking you can do a lot of things at once

Feeling overconfident in your abilities

Behaving impulsively

Feeling jumpy or wired

Feeling like your thoughts
are coming very fast

Becoming more active than usual

Having higher than usual energy levels

Being agitated, irritable, or touchy

Not feeling tired or needing little sleep

Talking really fast about a
lot of different things

Thinking you can do a lot
of things at once

Feeling overconfident
in your abilities

Do these symptoms sound familiar?

Complete this questionnaire and share the results with your healthcare provider.

Video: Approaches to managing bipolar I.

Approaches to managing bipolar I

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Video: How is bipolar I disorder diagnosed?

My journey to a bipolar I diagnosis

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How is it diagnosed?

Bipolar I can go unrecognized for years by not only those who suffer with it, but by family, friends, and even healthcare providers. Manic symptoms are reported less often than depressive ones for most people with bipolar I, so healthcare providers may only see, and therefore treat, symptoms of depression instead of bipolar I disorder.

The first step: If you think you may have bipolar I, talk with a doctor. They can complete a physical exam to rule out other conditions.

Find a Healthcare Professional

Why this matters: People with bipolar disorder often have other health problems including substance abuse, anxiety disorders, thyroid disease, heart disease, and obesity. These conditions can have similar symptoms to bipolar I, which can complicate the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar I depression
is different

Bipolar refers to the opposite ends (the poles) of the emotional spectrum—lows (depression) and the highs (mania). On top of the deep, unshakeable sadness or emptiness felt by patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), patients with bipolar I also experience manic episodes. Treatments for MDD may not be effective for patients with bipolar I disorder, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis.

How is it treated?

An effective treatment plan for bipolar I often includes a combination of medication, talk therapy, support groups, and improving overall health and wellness.

However, the cornerstone of every treatment plan is medication and finding the right one for you could take some time. Some people may require more than one medication to experience relief.

Your healthcare provider will start the process by evaluating your symptoms and treatments. So, it’s critical to share all the symptoms you’re experiencing now or have experienced in the past, as well as the medications you’re taking now or have taken in the past.

How is bipolar I disorder treated?

It’s difficult to be
patient when bipolar I
affects your life

Maybe you've already tried a lot of solutions. You want to get your bipolar I under control, and so does your healthcare provider.

If you are experiencing symptoms like extreme highs and lows of your mood, let your healthcare provider know. Ask if VRAYLAR may help.

 

Additional Resources:

Discover tips that may help manage your bipolar I disorder.

Tips for Managing Bipolar I

Discover tips that may
help manage your
bipolar I disorder

GET TIPS
Sign up for wellness support from My Mood Matters.

Bipolar I Support

Sign up for wellness
support from My
Mood Matters 

GET SUPPORT
Take this bipolar I quiz to help your doctor determine whether you may have bipolar I disorder.

Bipolar I Questionnaire

Take this quiz that could
help your doctor determine
whether you may have
bipolar I disorder

TAKE QUIZ