Diagnosis of BIPOLAR DISORDER F31

Presenting Complaints

• Patients may have a period of depression, mania or excitement with the pattern described below.

Diagnostic Features

• Periods of mania with:
  • increased energy and activity
  • rapid speech
  • decreased need for sleep
  • elevated mood or irritability
  • loss of inhibitions
  • increased importance of self
    
• The patient may be easily distracted
  
• The patient may also have periods of depression with:
  
  • low or sad mood
  • loss of interest of pleasure
    
• The following associated symptoms are frequently present:
• Disturbed sleep
• Poor concentration
• Guilt or low self-worth
• Disturbed appetite
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Suicidal thoughts or acts
• Either type of episode may predominate
• Episodes may be frequent or may be separated by periods of normal mood.
• In severe cases, patients my have hallucinations (hearing voices, seeing visions) or delusions (strange of illogical beliefs) during periods of mania or depression.
  

Differential Diagnosis

• Alcohol or drug use may cause similar symptoms. If heavy alcohol or drug use if present, see Alcohol Use Disorders and Drug use disorders.
  

Edited by Gavin Andrews MD, UNSW, Jan 03
© 2003 CRUfAD