Symptoms

In the manic phase of a bipolar episode, the individual may experience inappropriately

good moods, or “highs,” or may become extremely irritable.

During a manic phase, the person may overcommit to work projects and

meetings, social activities, or family responsibilities in the belief that he or

she can accomplish anything; this is known as manic grandiosity. At times,

psychotic symptoms such as delusions, severe paranoia, and hallucinations

psychotic symptoms such as delusions, severe paranoia, and hallucinations

may accompany a manic episode. These symptoms may lead to a misdiagnosis

of another psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. However, skilled

clinicians can make a differential diagnosis between schizophrenia and bipolar

disorder.

The initial episode of bipolar disorder is typically one of mania or elation,

although in some people a depressive episode may signal the beginning

of the disorder. Episodes of bipolar disorder can recur rapidly—within

hours or days—or may have a much slower recurrence rate, even of years.

The duration of each episode, whether it is depression or mania, varies

widely among individuals but normally remains fairly consistent for each individual.