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Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in
mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder
are severe and they are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time
to time. People with bipolar disorder experience unusually intense emotional states that occur in
distinct periods called “mood episodes.” An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode,
an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Severe changes in energy go along
with these changes in mood. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme highs and extreme low mood
levels.
Characteristics of Bipolar Disorder Include:
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Symptoms of mania or a manic episode include:
o Mood changes:
 A long period of feeling “high,” or an overly happy or outgoing mood
 Extremely irritable mood, agitation, feeling “jumpy,” or “wired”
o Behavioral changes:
 Talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, having racing thoughts
 Being easily distracted
 Increasing goal-orientated activities, such as taking on new projects
 Being restless
 Racing thoughts and unable to make eye contact or focus
 Heavy panic breathing
 Sleeping little or Staying up all night
 Having an unrealistic belief in one’s abilities
 Behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable, high-risk behaviors
such as spending sprees
 May have some form of psychosis if in a manic episode
Symptoms of depression or a depressive episode include:
o Mood changes:
 A long period of feeling worried or empty
 Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
o Behavioral changes:
 Feeling tired or “slowed down”
 Irrational thoughts or behavior
 Having problems concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
 Being restless and irritable
 Changing eating, sleeping, or other habits
 May not have slept in several days
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Thinking of death or suicide or attempting suicide
Speaks of a suicide plan
Tips for Mentors:
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Many youth with bipolar disorder can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and
behavior changes over time with proper psychiatric treatment.
If possible, talk to your mentee’s family about triggers and early warning signs of a mood swing.
Keep a close watch for subtle changes in mood, energy level, and thoughts- by the time obvious
symptoms of mania or depression appear, it is often too late to intercept the mood swing.
If your mentee is having a manic episode:
o Contact family member to inform of episode.
o Spend time with him/her: people who are manic often feel isolated from other people.
Spending even short periods of time with them helps. If your mentee has a lot of
energy, walk together, which allows your mentee to keep on the move but share your
company.
o Do not engage in excessive verbage with mentee as this may escalate situation.
o Answer questions honestly: however, do not argue or debate with a person during a
manic episode. Avoid intense conversation.
o Don’t take any comments personally: during periods of high energy, a person often says
and does things that he or she would not usually say or do, including focusing on
negative aspects of others.
o Avoid subjecting your mentee to a lot of activity and stimulation: It is best to keep
surroundings as quiet as possible.
Safety is the main priority when dealing with a manic episode.
Don’t minimize your mentee’s feelings, rather, offer support. For instance, you can say:
“I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I want to help.”
Be understanding- let your mentee know that you’re there if he or she needs a sympathetic ear.
Keep communication consistent.
Resources:
1. US National Library of Medicine www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. National Institute of Mental Health www.nimh.nih.gov/health/.../bipolar-disorder/completeindex.shtml/
3. Mayo Clinic- Bipolar Disorder www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
617-556-4075
www.pyd.org