What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder. can you have it without having the extreme highs?

my sister has taken lexapro, zyban, well-butrin...nothing has worked!!!!

A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression.

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings鈥攆rom overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer. Source(s): http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar...

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings-from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
Extreme irritability
Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
Distractibility, can't concentrate well
Little sleep needed
Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
Poor judgment Spending sprees
A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
Increased sexual drive
Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present.
u cant have it witout the xtreme high, then u just have depression not bipolar
People that are bipolar have extreme highs and extreme lows. But I not saying that she doesn't have this condition. If she is upset or depressed she might not be having to ups. I think she needs to consider getting a second opinion. Even if she likes and trusted her doctor. This is just a second opinion. Make sure she sees someone that has experience diagnose this disorder.
There are two types of Bipolar disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is extreme highs and lows. During the mania, the person often does not sleep and may actually become somewhat psychotic (seeing or hearing things that are not there). Bipolar II has what psychiatrists call hypomania. There is no psychosis, but there is periods of little sleep and increased activity. Both have associated depression. Common medications for bipolar disorder include lithium, lamotrigine, and zyprexa. The medications she is taking are more conventional for depression. Sometimes a behavioral therapy called CBT works well for individuals with depression and can augment medication.
Yes you can have Bipolar Disorder without extreme highs. The extreme highs are called Manic Episodes. When they are not so extreme they are called Hypo-manic Episodes. This is the type of Bipolar Disorder I have.

I have had this problem for many years. Perhaps I showed the first symptoms as early as age 6 or 7. I know it has been with me since my early teens. I began treatment just this year. I am taking Seroquel at bed time to stabilize my mood and help me sleep. Without thr Seroquel I only sleep about 2 - 6 hours each night, averaging 4 hours. I also take Paxil in the morning to ease my depression. These medications are working very well for me.

Before I began treatment, I was depressed nearly all the time (about 80%). I was also very subject to moood swings. I would be fine one minute then mad at the world the next. Slowly I would cool down, sometimes in a few hours or it could take a few days. Then something else would set me off. I had racing thoughts that would not allow me to let go of the problem and kept me awake.

Since I began treatment, almost nothing really bothers me. If something does make me angry, it is very mild and lasts only a few minutes. Racing thoughts are almost non-existant. People are not afraid to work with me. They joke with me more and actually listen when I have something to say.

I suppose I am lucky in many ways. My doctor and I hit the right medications the first time around. We mad some minor dosing changes and all is well. I also have almost no side effects from the medication. Dry mouth was a minor problem at first but even that has lessened. The only real problem that I can sense from the medicine is the Seroquel does drag me down a very small amount early in the day. But that is very mild and is well worth it to be stable and not angry the whole day and night long. Yes, I consider myself very, very lucky.

If you wish to communicate with me please do. I do not know what help I may be to you. But, if I can help, I will.

If you want information on Bipolar Disorder click the link below.

Sincerely,
Terry