What is bipolar?
Overview
Bipolar is a mood disorder which affects 2-3% of the population at any given time. It affects genders equally. Bipolar is characterised by extreme mood swings ranging from depression to mania, often with prolonged periods of stability in between.
Onset is often in adolescence or early adulthood, although diagnosis later in life is also common. Bipolar is often split into two diagnoses: bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. With bipolar 1, the person will experience the full range of symptoms of mania and depression. With bipolar 2, the more extreme symptoms of mania are absent although the less severe symptoms known as hypomania will occur, as will the full range of depressive symptoms.
Bipolar: The Essential Guide
Bipolar Scotland have prepared a handy reference guide exploring Bipolar in detail. To access it, please click on the button below.

Symptoms Of Bipolar
Bipolar consists of depressive episodes and manic/or hypomanic episodes. Each mood varies considerably, as shown in the key symptoms below:
What are Manic Episodes?
Mania and hypomania are phases of extreme mood elevation in bipolar.
During a full manic episode, individuals experience an intense surge of energy, heightened mood, and impulsivity. They may feel euphoric, have racing thoughts, engage in risky behaviors like overspending or reckless driving, and require little sleep without feeling tired.
Hypomania is a less severe form of mania, where symptoms are milder and do not cause significant impairment in daily functioning.
Key symptoms to look for
- Extremely Happy And Excited
- Increased Activity Excessive Energy
- Reduced Need For Sleep/Unable To Sleep
- Reduced Appetite
- Euphoric Feelings
- Feeling Irritable and Angry
- Having lots of grand plans and ideas
- Psychosis (seeing & hearing things that are not real)
- Racing thoughts
What are Depressive Episodes?
Depression in bipolar involves profound sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Individuals may experience changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.
These alternating phases of mania/hypomania and depression characterize the cyclical nature of bipolar, affecting mood, energy levels, and behaviour.
Key symptoms to look for
- Feelings Of Sadness, Hopelessness And Emptiness
- Feeling Guilty, Inadequate And Worthless
- Loss Of Confidence And Self Esteem
- Loss Of Motivation
- Excessive feelings of anxiety and dread
- Appetite And Weight Changes
- Thoughts Of Suicide
Watch the video
TED-Ed presents an illuminating exploration of bipolar in their captivating video titled “Understanding Bipolar .” Delivered by an expert in the field, this engaging presentation delves deep into the complexities of bipolar, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of this often-misunderstood condition.