What does Bipolar Disorder (BPD) feel like?

Kurt, a contractor, feels that his emotions are becoming increasingly unstable. He recently suffered from a six month bout of depression which included a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and feelings of hopelessness. These feelings eventually faded, and Kurt returned to his normal routine. Following that incident of depression, Kurt experienced a period where he felt elated and high. His thoughts flew through his mind at an amazing pace, and his physical responses matched that speed. He needed little sleep, spent a lot of money on frivolous things, and was often irritable and even violent. These feelings lasted a few weeks and he has since calmed down. Kurt worries that his life will be a rollercoaster of ups and downs, yet he doesn’t know what to do to feel stable.

Kurt has Bipolar Disorder or BPD. Bipolar Disorder can also be called Manic Depression. Bipolar Disorder consists of extreme highs and lows in mood, and thus the two poles. These highs are referred to as mania or manic behavior and the lows are called depression. Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. Often, the first episode of mania or depression occurs during a person’s twenties, but it can occur as late as during the forties.