dilated pupils. “sparkling” eyes, or eyes that appear more liquid than usual. eyes that change color or become black. widened or narrowed gaze, depending on the type of mania (Some say dysphoric mania, or a mood episode with mixed features of mania and depression, leads to a narrowed or squinting gaze.)
For example, a person might say that their eyes sparkle or widen during a period of mania where they feel euphoric, or have an extremely high mood. Meanwhile, narrowed eyes might indicate mania that surfaces as irritability, which is often called dysphoric mania, or mania with mixed features.
Experiencing visual distortions may also indicate that a person has a mental health condition. If you have schizophrenia, the fluctuations of dopamine that occur in your brain might also occur in your retina. This can affect your visual processing and eye movement.
Do eyes actually change during mood episodes? For many people, mania does involve increased excitability, energy, and restlessness. Eyes can certainly reflect these mood shifts. Excitement, for example, could easily lead to wider eyes, or eyes that seem to shine and sparkle.
Considered in more detail, the male bipolar patient face has the following features: the nose is turned down, lengthened and narrow; the mouth is narrow and set posteriorly; the chin is set forward; the mandible is wide; the cheeks are displaced inwards; the eyes are narrower; the face is wider at tragion.
There isn't any clinical evidence that links bipolar disorder with lying, though some anecdotal accounts suggest there may be a connection. It's thought that some people with bipolar disorder may lie as a result of: racing thoughts and rapid speech.
There's little or no self-awareness during mania, so you may not realize the consequences of your actions or how you have affected others until you come out of the episode. When you start to notice these symptoms, seek professional help before you slide fully into a manic episode.
Symptoms of a manic episode
Having an abnormally high level of activity or energy. Feeling extremely happy or excited — even euphoric. Not sleeping or only getting a few hours of sleep but still feeling rested. Having an inflated self-esteem, thinking you're invincible.
There are three stages of mania: hypomania, acute mania and delirious mania. Classifications of mania are mixed states, hypomania and associated disorders.
Sudden and severe changes in mood, such as going from being joyful to being angry and hostile. Restlessness. Rapid speech and racing thoughts. Increased energy and less need for sleep.
The main sign of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings that go from emotional highs to emotional lows. Manic episodes cause people to seem very energetic, euphoric, or irritable. During depressive episodes, your loved one may seem sad, upset, or tired all the time.
It's just one of your mood swings
Accusing somebody of being manic when they are genuinely excited about something can be quite painful. Accusing somebody of just having a mood swing when they seem down can be even worse if you then find out that something bad actually happened.
As a manic episode ends, you'll start to feel less frenzied, be able to think more clearly, and get more sleep. You may have to face unpleasant consequences of your actions during the episode. Therapy, medication, and social support are important factors that can help you cope with the end of a manic episode.
Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. You can also have psychotic symptoms.
Severe changes in mood — either extremely irritable or overly silly and elated. Overly-inflated self-esteem; grandiosity. Increased energy. Decreased need for sleep — able to go with very little or no sleep for days without tiring.
Although bipolar disorder does not directly affect the bones and muscles, depressive episodes can have an impact on your skeletal and muscular systems. Depression can cause unexpected aches and pains, making it difficult to carry out daily activities. Due to your discomfort, you may find it difficult to exercise.
Left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life, such as: Problems related to drug and alcohol use. Suicide or suicide attempts. Legal or financial problems.
Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, causes mood changes – from feeling low to emotional highs. Cyclothymia has many similarities to bipolar disorder.
To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends blood testing to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.