Bipolar Disorder

An increasingly common mental health issue on college campuses is Bipolar Disorder. This disorder is often misdiagnosed as depression. If untreated, it can have negative consequences on the individual’s academic and personal life. With medication and clinical counseling, it is very treatable and manageable and the effects on daily life can be greatly minimized.

• Feeling so good or hyper that you are “not yourself."
• Becoming irritable to the point of shouting or starting fights or arguments.
• Feelings of being much more confident than usual.
• Being able to “get by” with much less sleep than normal.
• More talkative and speaking faster than normal.
• Racing thoughts.
• Difficulty concentrating or staying on task.
• More energy than normal (without a major change in lifestyle).
• More social or outgoing than normal (phoning friends in the middle of the night).
• Unusual behavior that others see as risky, excessive, or foolish.
• Getting into legal or disciplinary trouble.
• Spending money in ways that has gotten you into trouble.
• Loss of sleep or sleeping too much.
• Not wanting to get up in the morning even if you are awake.
• Decrease in energy.
• Loss of appetite or eating more than usual.
• Loss of interest in academics, friends, social activities, family contact, etc…
• Chronic feelings of sadness or low mood.
• Becoming angry “for no reason” or anger that feels out of control.
• Constant irritability with others, especially those who are closest or most important to you.
• Feeling like your emotions are flat or numb.
• Periodic persistent thoughts of suicide, or of harming yourself or others.

Remember, some of these symptoms can be related to college adjustment issues, depression, or anxiety. A combination of the symptoms is needed to determine the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. As with other concerns, meeting with your Resident Director (R.D.) could be a good place to obtain guidance and support for issues related to academic and social adjustment. If the signs and symptoms are more severe or there are several of them in combination, contact The Aldersgate Center to schedule an appointment with a counselor (x2257).