Bipolar disorder
What is it
People with bipolar disorder experience very high or low moods, which can often last for long periods of time (from days to weeks).
The feelings and actions associated with bipolar disorder can come and go. Bipolar disorder is more likely to become noticeable in older young people aged 15 and above, but younger people can experience bipolar disorder too.
Feelings and behaviours
- Having extreme mood swings
- Experiencing mania, a state that can involve talking a lot, racing thoughts, overconfidence and increased activity
- Experiencing hypomania, which is like mania with less noticeable thoughts and actions
- Finding it difficult to concentrate
- In some cases, thinking about self-harm or hurting yourself
- Feeling empty or worthlessness
- Feeling guilt and despair
- Feeling pessimistic about everything (seeing the worst in everything or believing that the worst will happen)
Physical signs
- Experiencing periods of low energy levels
- Having trouble sleeping (finding it difficult to get to sleep or waking up lots)
- Having a reduced appetite (being less hungry)
- Feeling impulsive (likely to do things without thinking them through first) and doing impulsive things such as spending lots of money or taking risks.
What’s going on
Interviews, art, blogs, and tips about mental health and wellbeing.
Dr Paula Lopez outlines some of support available for symptoms of psychosis.
It can be difficult to know how to start a conversation about mental health. Here are some tips and conversation starters.
Information about how Doc Ready helps make talking to a GP about mental health easier.
Hear about Eleanor’s experiences of living with bipolar disorder, recovery, and writing about mental health.
Get support for how you’re feeling
Get mental health support for young people
Information about mental health services (including CAMHS) if you’re a young person in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster.
Digital mental health support for young people across the UK
Information about apps, websites, and other digital tools that exist to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.