10- 10 Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_swth2iSFI

Correct answer: B. A mood disorder involving episodes of elevated and depressed mood

Explanation: Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder characterized by manic/hypomanic and depressive episodes, not a personality, psychotic, or anxiety disorder.

Which best defines bipolar disorder?

A. A personality disorder characterized by unstable relationships
B. A mood disorder involving episodes of elevated and depressed mood
C. A psychotic disorder marked by hallucinations
D. An anxiety disorder with panic attacks

Correct answer: C. Manic, hypomanic, and depressive

Explanation: The three main mood episodes in bipolar disorder are manic, hypomanic, and depressive, as recognized in DSM-5.

Which of the following are the three recognized types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder?

A. Manic, depressive, and anxious
B. Depressive, psychotic, and mixed
C. Manic, hypomanic, and depressive
D. Hypomanic, cyclothymic, and anxious

Correct answer: C. Bipolar I includes full manic episodes, while Bipolar II includes hypomanic and depressive episodes

Explanation: Bipolar I requires at least one full manic episode, whereas Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes and major depressive episodes, without full mania.

Which statement best distinguishes Bipolar I disorder from Bipolar II disorder?

A. Bipolar I includes depressive episodes only
B. Bipolar II is always more severe than Bipolar I
C. Bipolar I includes full manic episodes, while Bipolar II includes hypomanic and depressive episodes
D. Bipolar II does not involve mood swings

Correct answer: C. Bipolar II often involves severe and prolonged depressive episodes

Explanation: While Bipolar I involves more severe mania, Bipolar II can be equally or more disabling due to severe, recurrent depression.

Why is the statement “Bipolar I is the most extreme form” considered an oversimplification?

A. Bipolar I does not involve depression
B. Bipolar II cannot be disabling
C. Bipolar II often involves severe and prolonged depressive episodes
D. Bipolar I only occurs in adulthood

Correct answer: B. Patients often seek help only during depressive episodes

Explanation: Many individuals seek treatment during depressive episodes, and if past manic or hypomanic symptoms are not identified, bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder.

Why is bipolar disorder often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder?

A. Manic episodes are always hidden
B. Patients often seek help only during depressive episodes
C. Depression is not part of bipolar disorder
D. Hypomania occurs only in Bipolar I

Correct answer: B. Risk-taking behaviors such as reckless driving or gambling

Explanation: Risk-taking and impulsive behaviors are common during manic episodes due to impaired judgment and increased energy.

Which behavior is MOST likely to occur during a manic episode?

A. Social withdrawal
B. Risk-taking behaviors such as reckless driving or gambling
C. Persistent low mood
D. Psychomotor retardation

Correct answer: C. Increased energy may initially appear beneficial

Explanation: Hypomania may feel like enhanced productivity, but it often involves poor judgment and behavioral changes, which others may notice more clearly than the individual.

Why might hypomania be mistaken for normal productivity?

A. Hypomania does not affect behavior
B. Hypomania improves judgment
C. Increased energy may initially appear beneficial
D. Hypomania only lasts one day

Correct answer: B. An exaggerated sense of importance or ability

Explanation: Grandiosity refers to an inflated sense of self-importance or abilities and commonly occurs during manic episodes.

What is grandiosity in the context of bipolar disorder?

A. Low self-esteem during depression
B. An exaggerated sense of importance or ability
C. Fear of social judgment
D. Difficulty expressing emotions

Correct answer: C. Pressured, rapid, or excessive speech

Explanation: Manic episodes often involve pressured or rapid speech, sometimes with difficulty staying on topic.

Which speech change is commonly associated with manic episodes?

A. Slow, monotone speech
B. Mutism
C. Pressured, rapid, or excessive speech
D. Slurred speech

Correct answer: C. Difficulty concentrating can occur during both manic and depressive episodes

Explanation: During depression, low energy impairs focus; during mania, excessive energy and racing thoughts interfere with sustained attention.

How does bipolar disorder affect concentration?

A. Concentration is unaffected
B. Difficulty concentrating occurs only during mania
C. Difficulty concentrating can occur during both manic and depressive episodes
D. Concentration problems only occur due to medication

Correct answer: B. Physical agitation such as pacing or hand-wringing

Explanation: Irritability and agitation are common, especially during manic or mixed episodes, and may present physically.

Which symptom best reflects irritability in bipolar disorder?

A. Persistent sadness
B. Physical agitation such as pacing or hand-wringing
C. Hallucinations
D. Memory loss

Correct answer: C. Decreased need for sleep without feeling fatigued

Explanation: A reduced need for sleep with little perceived fatigue is a hallmark of manic episodes.

Which sleep pattern is MOST characteristic of a manic episode?

A. Sleeping excessively and still feeling tired
B. Normal sleep duration with vivid dreams
C. Decreased need for sleep without feeling fatigued
D. Insomnia due to anxiety only

Correct answer: B. Increased appetite in some individuals

Explanation: According to NIMH, some individuals experience increased appetite during depressive episodes, though patterns can vary.

Which appetite change may occur during depressive episodes of bipolar disorder?

A. Complete loss of hunger only
B. Increased appetite in some individuals
C. No appetite changes occur
D. Appetite changes only occur during mania

Correct answer: C. A professional diagnosis is required for mental health conditions

Explanation: Bipolar disorder requires clinical evaluation by a qualified mental health professional, and educational content cannot substitute diagnosis or treatment.

Why is the educational disclaimer in the video important?

A. Bipolar disorder is rare
B. Online videos can replace therapy
C. A professional diagnosis is required for mental health conditions
D. Symptoms are the same for everyone

Correct answer: C. At least 7 days, or any duration if hospitalization is required

Explanation: A manic episode is defined as lasting at least 7 days, unless hospitalization is necessary, in which case duration may be shorter.

According to diagnostic guidelines, a manic episode in Bipolar I disorder typically lasts:

A. At least 24 hours
B. At least 3 days
C. At least 7 days, or any duration if hospitalization is required
D. At least 14 days

Correct answer: C. When they are frequent and interfere with sleep or daily functioning

Explanation: Mood changes suggest bipolar disorder when they are recurrent and cause significant impairment in daily life, sleep, or functioning.

When do mood swings become more suggestive of bipolar disorder rather than normal emotional variation?

A. When they occur only during stressful events
B. When they are mild and short-lived
C. When they are frequent and interfere with sleep or daily functioning
D. When they occur only in adolescence

Correct answer: C. Hypomania is less severe and does not require hospitalization

Explanation: Hypomania is less severe than mania, does not cause marked impairment, and does not require hospitalization or include psychosis.

Which feature best differentiates hypomania from mania?

A. Hypomania includes psychosis
B. Hypomania causes marked functional impairment
C. Hypomania is less severe and does not require hospitalization
D. Hypomania lasts longer than mania

Correct answer: B. Increased activity may coexist with impaired judgment

Explanation: Although hypomania may feel productive, it often involves poor judgment, impulsivity, and decisions that can have negative consequences.

Why is increased productivity during hypomania potentially misleading?

A. Hypomania always improves decision-making
B. Increased activity may coexist with impaired judgment
C. Hypomania only affects sleep
D. Productivity during hypomania is always sustainable

Correct answer: C. Mental health diagnoses require professional evaluation

Explanation: Diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires a qualified mental health professional, not self-assessment or educational videos alone.

Why does the video emphasize that it is for educational purposes only?

A. Bipolar disorder is self-diagnosable
B. Symptoms alone are sufficient for diagnosis
C. Mental health diagnoses require professional evaluation
D. Education replaces treatment

Correct answer: C. Seek evaluation from a qualified mental health professional

Explanation: Early professional evaluation and treatment are essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management of bipolar disorder.

What is the most appropriate recommendation if someone recognizes multiple signs of bipolar disorder?

A. Ignore symptoms unless they worsen
B. Self-diagnose using online content
C. Seek evaluation from a qualified mental health professional
D. Wait for symptoms to resolve on their own

Correct answer: B. Insight is often reduced during elevated mood states

Explanation: During manic or hypomanic episodes, individuals often have reduced insight, meaning friends or family may notice behavior changes (e.g., rapid speech, multitasking, irritability) before the individual does.

Why might people with bipolar disorder be unaware of certain symptoms during manic or hypomanic episodes?

A. Symptoms only occur during sleep
B. Insight is often reduced during elevated mood states
C. Symptoms are always subtle
D. Others exaggerate behavioral changes

Correct answer: B. Alternating hypomanic, depressive, and periods of normal functioning

Explanation: Individuals with Bipolar II disorder often experience periods of normal mood and functioning (euthymia) between hypomanic and depressive episodes, which can delay recognition of the disorder.

Which feature of Bipolar II disorder was implied in the script but not always recognized?

A. Continuous mood instability without normal periods
B. Alternating hypomanic, depressive, and periods of normal functioning
C. Presence of full manic episodes
D. Absence of depressive episodes