Pattern of Symptoms:

periods of depression (usually lasting months) alternating with periods of mania (usually lasting weeks) and separated by periods of normal mood and functioning

Mania:

period of persistent, energetic, euphoric, expansive or irritable mood

increased self esteem, grandiosity

decreased sleep without fatigue

talkativeness, racing thoughts, distractibility, impulsiveness

psychomotor agitation, restlessness

increased goal-directed behavior (cleaning house, landscaping yard, working overtime, writing a book--all in one day)

irresponsible pleasure-seeking behavior (causal sex or infidelity, shopping sprees, impulsive business decisions or investments)

Hypomania:

mild mania

patients generally able to control irresponsible behavior