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8 early signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder you should be aware of

Are you wondering if someone you know could be suffering from bipolar disorder? These are the signs and symptoms to watch out for before consulting a psychiatrist.

Written by Anuradha Varanasi | Updated : May 15, 2017 10:16 PM IST

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Diseases-bipolar-disorder-THS

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes major alternating periods of elation, euphoria and depression. The symptoms can be severe due to the highly erratic shifts in moods, behaviour and activity levels and needs to be treated on time with mood stabilisers. Dr Parul Tank, Consulting Psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital and Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai, says, if someone exhibits at least five out of these eight symptoms for over a month, it could be the early signs of bipolar disorder.

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Hypomania Or Being In A Great Mood

Great mood: Hypomania is a state of extremely high energy and being in a great mood. During this period, the person feels euphoric and laughs a lot, tries to become a 'do-gooder'. 'All of us have mood swings from time to time and that is normal. However, if this extremely good mood continues for at least one week followed by depression, it is an early sign of being bipolar,' says Dr Tank. Also Read - Miss J Alexander Hospitalised After Stroke, Spent Weeks In Coma, Says 'I Can't Walk': Doctor Warns About Life-Threatening Stroke Risks  

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Irrational Feelings Of Grandiosity:

Irrational feelings of grandiosity: Another symptom of hypomania is an irrational feeling of being powerful, strong and thinking that you are invincible.

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Rapid Speech

Rapid speech: With the sudden flow of creativity and ideas during this period of hypomania, the person will become extremely talkative and try to constantly talk over you. It is definitely a red flag if the person is not usually this talkative and eloquent.

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Depression

Depression: This is the other extreme of bipolar disorder. After the hypomania fades away, symptoms of depression like sadness, chronic stress and an inability to perform at work any longer, among others, start manifesting.

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Being Irritable

Being irritable: The person is almost constantly irritable and short-tempered for at least a period of four weeks to an extent where it starts wrecking havoc with their relationships.