Bipolar Mania

Bipolar, or manic depression in oldspeak, comprises both depressive episodes as well as periods of mania or hypomania. Mania can be characterised by three or more of the following:

• Very high self-esteem, confidence, or sense of importance

• Needing less sleep

• Being very talkative

• Racing thoughts

• Being easily distractable

• Increased goal-directed activity, or agitation

• Risky behaviour or doing something reckless

If you experience three of these characteristics alternating with a depressed mood you may want to take the free bipolar self-test on the Black Dog Institute website (https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/bipolar-self-test/). If it suggests bipolar make an appointment with your GP and take the test along as a starting point.