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Bipolar and related disorders

Dés à plusieurs faces
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a chronic illness manifested by mood disturbances. In its most typical form, bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of excitement (manic or hypomanic phase), sadness (depressive phase) and return to stability. There are several types of bipolar disorder that differ in intensity, frequency and duration.

Manic phase

During a manic phase, you might experience an excessive, unusual feeling of happiness, with a high, expansive mood or abnormal irritability for several days in a row. Other symptoms may include physical and mental hyperactivity, a feeling of overwhelming energy and a reduced need for sleep. Your speech flow may accelerate, as well as your thought process and the ability to concentrate is disturbed.

There is also an alteration in judgment, which your peers might notice before you. Ideas of grandeur and extreme or unusual self-confidence may also be present, as well as so-called "risky" behaviors (impulsive and reckless shopping, hasty and risky financial investments, risky sexual behaviors, drug use) up to suicidal behaviors in some cases.

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