Bipolar Symptoms in Women and Men

A bipolar disorder can cause some serious bipolar symptoms in women and men -- especially if it is not treated properly! It is a kind of serious mental illness that will lead to damaged careers /relationships, risky behavior, and even can increase suicidal tendencies. In bipolar disorder, there are two contrasting phases (this may be one of reasons why this disorder is called as ‘bipolar’); mania (hypo-mania) and depression!

You might also like to know more about bipolar depression symptoms and who is at risk of having bipolar disorder, before continuing!

Bipolar disorder is a kind of disease that is so difficult to be diagnosed, because the pattern of lows & highs varies for every individual. Some patients may have it with the form of frequent & dramatic mood shifts. And for other patients, this disorder can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Generally, the major symptoms of this disorder are the extremely mood swings -- from mania (having over energetic) to depression (having low energy (feeling so sad)).

Types of bipolar disorder

The following are some known bipolar disorder types, which may include:

1. Cyclothymia, which is relatively milder than others. Patients (either men or women) with it usually only experience milder symptoms!
2. Mixed bipolar. In this type, patients usually have simultaneously mania & depression (in rapid sequence).
3. Bipolar I. For this type, patients usually have had at least a manic episode in their life! It can lead to recurrent mania & depression episodes.
4. Bipolar II, people with this type usually experience moods cycling between low & high over time. But they will not experience full-on mania, or only experience hypomania (less severe mania). They may have more episodes of depressive than episodes of hypomania!
5. And rapid cycling! In one year, people with this type usually have 3-4 episodes (or more) of depression or mania. And there are about 10-20 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder experience rapid cycling.

Additionally, there is also another type what we call as ‘bipolar spectrum’ -- talk with a doctor for more in-depth information!

Bipolar symptoms in women and men

As mentioned before, mania and depression are two contrasting phases in people with bipolar disorder. So the bipolar symptoms (either in men or in women -- adults) that are present also associated with these phases.

Some symptoms in mania (or hypomania) episodes may include:

1. With sounds or sights, patients will be easily distracted!
2. Patients also can be more active or talk more than usual, even without having adequate rest (they can be more active without needing as much as sleep usual)!
3. They can be very irritable or on the other hand can have extremely happy feeling!
4. At the same time, they may also have a lot of thoughts or even too many thoughts, and this can make patients be difficult to have a good concentration.
5. Inflated self-esteem or patients have a so high opinion of their self!
6. They also can do reckless things or act impulsively! For examples, individuals with mania or hypomania episodes can drive recklessly (fast driving), do indiscriminate sex, or get into shopping sprees!

And some symptoms in depression episodes may include:

1. Having thoughts to attempt suicide.
2. Changes in some habits, like sleeping habits and eating habits.
3. Having low energy! And this can cause slowed speech & thoughts!
4. For a significant period of time -- patients can feel more anxious or sadness.
5. Cannot enjoy something that they can enjoy before.
6. Significantly decreased interest to do usual activities, like doing sex.
7. Difficult to make a decision or get good concentration. Some patients also can be difficult to use their memory (difficulty remembering).
8. Having more pessimistic or hopeless!

What else you need to know?

1. Many studies found that depression is more common in women than in men. And women are more likely to experience bipolar II -- this means women have higher chance to not experience severe mania! In other words, women with bipolar disorder are more likely to have milder hypomania episodes that alternate with their depression episodes. Furthermore, women may also have higher chance to experience rapid cycling than men!
2. Bipolar disorder symptoms in children can be so different if compared to in adults. These signs can be more confused for kids that also have other mental disorders. Overall, these symptoms also can greatly interfere with the ability of children to function at home, with their friends and in school.
3. There are also some patients (either in women or in men) that can have together episodes of mania and depression.
4. There are also other conditions that also can generate the similar symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), schizophrenia, and depression.
5. And changes in mood of people who have bipolar disorder may also be followed with some signs of psychosis, panic attack, or anxiety!

Note; don’t get conclusion on your own for any signs or symptoms that you have! Talk more with a psychiatrist or doctor for more detailed information and more advice about bipolar symptoms in women and men!
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Reference: WebMD
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