Bipolar disorder
Mania, hypomania and mixed states, and how bipolar disorder differs from an everyday mood swing.
From psychiatrists Dr. Tracey Skale and Dr. Paul Keck
Overview
TODO: Overview drafted from the Episode 3 show notes. Docs Tracey and Paul to review before launch.
Bipolar disorder is more than a mood swing. It involves distinct episodes that can include mania, hypomania and mixed states, as well as depression.
What the Docs cover
- The difference between mania, hypomania and mixed states
- Signs that distinguish bipolar depression from unipolar depression
- The DIG-FAST mnemonic for remembering symptoms of mania
- Why family history and collateral information from loved ones matter
Key terms, in plain language
- Mania
- A period of abnormally elevated, expansive or irritable mood with increased energy that disrupts a person's life.
- Hypomania
- A milder form of mania.
- Mixed state
- A period when symptoms of mania and depression occur together.
- DIG-FAST
- A mnemonic clinicians use to remember common symptoms of mania. Episode 3 walks through it.
Questions about bipolar disorder
Is it bipolar, or just a mood swing?
Everyday mood swings are part of life. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania, hypomania or mixed states. Episode 3 covers the signs that distinguish bipolar depression from unipolar depression.
Why does family history matter?
Docs Tracey and Paul explain in Episode 3 why family history and collateral information, meaning what family and friends observe, matter when evaluating bipolar disorder.