Spot a Manic Depressive Person

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depressive disorder, causes dramatic shifts in mood, energy level and behavior. People with the condition experience intense highs and lows. While signs of manic depressive disorder may vary widely, you can try to identify symptoms by checking for signs of mania, depression, or a combination of both (i.e. mixed episode). However, keep in mind that only a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist can adequately diagnose this condition. If someone you love shows signs, learn how to get them the help they need.

Steps

Identifying the Signs of Mania

1. Watch for a decreased amount of sleep. People suffering from mania feel very energetic despite the fact that they are not getting enough sleep. Your loved one may sleep only a few hours each night, or they may go days without any sleep at all.
   • In fact, if you have a younger loved one with chronic sleep disturbance, this could be an early indicator of bipolar.
   • In order for these symptoms to meet the criteria for mania, they must occur for at least one week.
2. Listen to the speed and consistency of the person's speech. During a manic episode, people talk very quickly. They also change topics so frequently that others are unable to follow the conversation. If your loved one exhibits such speech patterns that are remarkably different from their usual speech, they may be in a manic episode.
   • This symptom, known as pressured speech, happens because the person has racing thoughts and excess energy. In a sense, their speech patterns are a sign of what’s going on inside their heads.
   • Keep in mind that you are checking for dramatic changes in a person's speech. Some people speak in a fast, pressured manner naturally, so be aware of any noticeable changes.
3. Look for inflated self-esteem. Delusions of grandeur and exciting though far-fetched ideas occur in individuals with mania. People in the throes of mania may believe themselves capable of virtually anything, and they won’t be subjected to the reasoning of others.
   • They are euphoric and energized. The person may stay up all night brainstorming projects or goals. They may view themselves as especially destined for greatness by God.
4. Check for poor judgment and decision-making. Mania also shows up in a person’s choices. This is sometimes seen through impaired judgment, recklessness or impulsive behavior. If a person is manic, they simply won’t consider the consequences of their actions.
   • They may engage in risky activities like unprotected sex, drug and alcohol use, or excessive spending.
5. Be wary of psychotic symptoms. Although psychosis is generally seen in people with schizophrenia and similar conditions, people with bipolar disorder can experience a break from reality during extreme manic episodes. Psychotic symptoms exhibited in bipolar include the experience of hallucinations or delusions.
   • Hallucinations are sensory experiences, such as hearing, feeling or seeing something that no one else does.
   • Delusions are persistent yet false beliefs like believing that TV characters are sending you special messages.
6. Consider the potential for hypomania. Bipolar II disorder is a condition that involves a milder form of mania along with an episode of depression. This less severe form of mania is called hypomania. It involves the general symptoms of mania in a more subtle form. Because symptoms like increased energy and flight of ideas may not be as exaggerated as in full-blown mania, hypomania symptoms may be overlooked.

Identifying the Signs of Depression

1. Watch for changes in sleeping patterns. During a depressive episode, a person may sleep more or less than normal. What’s more, sleep may be broken and disrupted, with them waking up sooner than they would like. Your loved one may stay in their bed all day or have trouble getting their day started.
   • In order for these symptoms to meet the criteria for a depressive episode, they must interfere with the person’s functioning for a period of at least two weeks.
2. Notice if the person's appetite and weight have changed. The negative feelings associated with a depressive episode may lead to the sufferer eating more than normal. The person may gain a significant amount of weight in a short period of time, particularly if they are also engaging in sedentary activities like sleeping all day.
   • On the flip side, a depressive episode may also translate to eating much less than usual and losing a fair bit of weight in a short period of time due to lack of appetite.
3. Pay attention to feelings of hopelessness, sadness or emptiness. During periods of depression, a person suffering from bipolar disorder may have difficulty feeling pleasure, even during activities they once cared about such as sex. This feeling of dejection is one of the most classic signs of depression.
4. Look for signs of fatigue and overall sluggishness. A concept known as psychomotor slowness describes a person with bipolar depression. In contrast to a manic episode, someone who is depressed may move and speak quite slowly. They may lack energy to do the basic tasks of everyday life.
   • Fatigue can be a sign of a medical condition like hypothyroidism or even unipolar depression (that is, depression without mania). Be sure to examine other symptoms before assuming your loved one has manic depression.
5. Be cautious of suicidal symptoms. People who experience depression may be at an increased risk of suicide. It’s important to know how to recognize suicidal behavior, because being able to just might help you save your loved one’s life. Furthermore, if a sufferer has an immediate family member who has committed suicide or they are using alcohol or drugs, their risk is even higher. Signs of suicidal behavior may include:
   • Obsessing over death or loss
   • Giving things away, even prized possessions
   • Saying “goodbye” to friends and family
   • Researching suicide
   • Practicing the act, such as looking for a place and gathering materials (e.g. pills or a rope)
6. Understand mixed episodes. In some individuals, an episode of mania and depression may occur at the same time. Referred to as a mixed episode (or, more recently, “mixed features”), this may be characterized by simultaneous feelings of despair coupled with increased energy.
   • Pay attention if depression is accompanied by agitation, anxiety, irritability or restlessness. Look for combinations of high energy and low mood during mixed episodes.
   • Because people in mixed episodes are experiencing a two-polar cycle of both highs and lows, they may also be at increased risk of suicide. If you see signs of both mania and depression in someone you know, get them help right away.

Getting the Person Help

1. Brainstorm an appropriate way to broach the topic. If your loved one fits the criteria for many of the above symptoms, they need to seek professional help as soon as possible. This can be a challenge because many people with mental illness are in denial about their symptoms. Before discussing the issue, think long and hard about how you will approach the subject.
   • You might watch them for a while and conduct research on bipolar disorder to support your observations.
   • You might also talk with other friends or relatives to see if they have noticed the same issues.
2. Show your concern. Be gentle and patient when you bring up the topic to your loved one. You want to send the message that you are concerned and believe that getting help is the only way they can get better. Avoid casting any judgment or coming off like you are giving the person an ultimatum. Be a cooperative problem-solver.
   • Say something like, “Jane, I have noticed you haven’t been sleeping very much lately. This is a surprise because a few weeks ago you stayed in bed all day. I also noticed some questionable charges on your credit card. I’m worried about you, sweetie. How about you go visit the doctor for a checkup?”
3. Offer to help in some way. Don’t just bring up the subject and expect the person to follow through on their own. You might share some of your research or even suggest Find a Psychiatrist in your area. Offer to join them at the appointment for moral support.
   • For instance, you might ask, “What can I do to help you? If you want I can help you find a doctor, or go to an appointment with you. I just want to see you doing better.”
4. Know when to back off. As upsetting as it may be, this person may not want your help. Or, they may have trouble coming to terms with their illness. If they are not in any immediate danger (i.e. showing signs of suicide), you may need to give them some space. But don’t completely drop the issue—just wait awhile before you bring it up again.
   • Say, “It seems like I have upset you and that wasn’t my intention. I’ll give you some space to think about it. Let’s talk again another time.”
   • If the person is in danger of committing suicide, don’t back off. Call your local emergency services department or a suicide hotline for help.
   • If you are in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If in the U.K., call Samaritans at 116 123.

Tips

• Those with bipolar disorder should eliminate stress, eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise and rest, keep a mood journal and join a support group.
• Some people who suffer manic depressive disorder may have seasonal mood changes the same as other seasonal affective disorders (SAD).

Warnings

• Suicide risk is greatest when a person is suffering from a mixed episode. If they're talking about killing themselves, call a suicide hotline immediately.

Related Articles

• Diagnose Bipolar Disorder
• Seek Help for Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
• Know if You Have Bipolar Disorder
• Help Someone Suffering With Bipolar Disorder
• Deal with a Bipolar Person

Sources and Citations

See also

• Seek Help for Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
• Tell if Someone Is Bipolar
• Deal with a Bipolar Family Member
• Know if You Have Bipolar Disorder

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