Bipolar Disorder Characteristics
April 8, 2005
Author: Linda Reyna, LCSW

Bipolar Disorder is a disorder characterized by a shift in a person’s mood from one extreme to the other. Individuals with this disorder exhibit manic behaviors and during these episodes they are prone to engage in high risk behaviors such as shopping sprees, multiple and indiscriminate sexual relationships, erratic driving, out of control gambling, etc.

During mania, individuals demonstrate superior sense of self, rapid speech, decrease need to sleep and an overwhelming sense of energy. Their behavior may follow a deep depression, which may be characterized by feelings of despair, suicidal ideation, lethargy, and blunt affect, loss of libido, self-absorption and isolation.