These are many emotions we experience in our everyday life. We all have our ups and downs, our ?off? days and our ?on? days. But if you're suffering from bipolar disorder, these peaks and valleys are more severe. Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness involves dramatic shifts in mood from the highs of mania to the lows of major depression.



Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated mood, or mania, alternating with periods of depression. A person with bipolar disorder typically cycles between these two extremes, often with periods of normal mood in between. The pattern of symptoms differs from person. Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others experience equal numbers of manic and depressive episodes. Some of the common signs and symptoms of depression includes:

Irritabiliy - Almost everyone becomes irritable now and then. The reasons are almost without number. A headache, a bad night's sleep, an upcoming dentist appointment, an unexpected bill - any stressor can bring it on. But when there is no apparent reason why the least little thing becomes an annoyance, and the mood persists for days or weeks, look for depression as the cause.

Anger - Anger is irritability pushed to an extreme. In depression, a person may explode over what might otherwise be a mild irritant - or over nothing at all. It may be a brooding anger that comes to a boil over something seemingly harmless. If anger lasts or becomes frightening or violent, seek help for yourself or your loved one as soon as possible.

Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity - Inflated self-importance; in some, delusions or hallucinations. Feeling all-powerful, invincible, and destined for greatness.

Euphoric mood - Feeling ?high?, excessively optimistic, better than ever before.

Extreme irritability - Feeling irritable or angry; Behavior that is aggressive, provocative, or intrusive.

Decreased need for sleep - Feeling rested after just a few hours of sleep.

More talkative than usual - Extremely talkative and sociable; pressure to keep talking.

Racing thoughts - Flight of ideas; can't keep up with your own ideas and thoughts.

Distractibility - Inability to concentrate, distracted, restless.

Risky behavior - Excessive involvement in pleasurable or high risk activities, such as sex, drug or alcohol use, gambling, or spending sprees