Here are the classical clinical symptoms of bipolar disorder, as listed in the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Five or more of the following symptoms must be present during the same two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning:
It must be a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary). There must be three or more of the following symptoms (four if the mood is only irritable), present to a significant degree:
Meets the criteria for both a manic episode and a major depressive episode nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.
A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 4 days. Three (or more) of the following symptoms must persist (four if the mood is only irritable), and have been present to a significant degree:
Medically Reviewed by Allison Young, MD
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