6 Unusual Symptoms of Bipolar Depression

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIrritabilityAngerWorry and AnxietyPessimismSelf-CriticismIndifference

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Irritability

Anger

Worry and Anxiety

Pessimism

Self-Criticism

Indifference

Close

Sadness and lack of pleasure (dysthymia) are two of the most common manifestations ofdepressionin bipolar disorder, but they aren’t the only ones. When bipolar disorder reaches extreme levels, six other emotions can emerge and can be intense. Learning to recognize them in yourself or someone you know is crucial.

What is bipolar disorder?

Everyone gets cranky occasionally and often with good reason: a bad headache, a sleepless night, or an unexpected bill, for example. However, this garden-variety irritability can signal bipolar depression if it is out of proportion to its trigger.Depressionalone also can cause persistent irritability that lasts for days or weeks at a time.

Can Depression Turn Into Bipolar Disorder?

Angeris a natural, often reasonable response to day-to-day frustrations—for example, when a coworker is blatantly unfair or disrespectful. Anger also can be viewed as irritability that’s been pushed to the person’s limit.

When to Be ConcernedWhen anger is a symptom of bipolar depression, the person may seem to explode over a situation or event that would otherwise be considered a mild irritation. They may even become angry in the absence of an external trigger.

When to Be Concerned

When anger is a symptom of bipolar depression, the person may seem to explode over a situation or event that would otherwise be considered a mild irritation. They may even become angry in the absence of an external trigger.

Someone exhibiting anger as a symptom of bipolar depression may seem (or even say that they feel) angry for no reason. Feelings of anger may seem to erupt out of nowhere, but the person may have been thinking about the issue for some time. The anger can reach a tipping point over a seemingly harmless trigger.

If you or a loved one is experiencing anger that persists, is frightening, orescalates to violence, it’s time to reach out to a doctor or therapist.

How Anger Management Works

As with anger,anxietyis natural in many situations. Normally, these emotions disappear when the issue is resolved. When they persist or get worse, they can indicate a mental illness.

When to Be ConcernedWorry that feels unending or out of control or proportion can be a symptom of depression. Someone with depression or an anxiety disorder mayworry excessivelyabout common everyday issues.

Worry that feels unending or out of control or proportion can be a symptom of depression. Someone with depression or an anxiety disorder mayworry excessivelyabout common everyday issues.

For example, someone might worry disproportionately about everyday concerns and routine aspects of daily life such as household tasks or their commute to work. Thoughts such asI have to call the plumber, but what if he can’t come today?orI’d better leave early for my appointment in case the traffic is badcan stem from underlying anxiety and depression.

Anxiety can also make someone indecisive. They may enterinto a cycleof thinking about what they need to accomplish but having difficulty committing to a solution. Some people with bipolar depression experiencegeneralized anxietyand racing thoughts.

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Sometimes,negativityor a pessimistic point of view is warranted. However, many people with bipolar depression turn this negativity inward, which chips away at theirself-conceptand sense of their abilities. For instance, they may look at a Help Wanted ad and think:There’s no point in applying for that job—I would never get it.

When to Be ConcernedWith depressive pessimism, the negativity a person experiences is outsized to the reality of the situation. In fact, pessimistic thinking doesn’t require a specific event. A person simply might think:It’s going to be another bad day.

With depressive pessimism, the negativity a person experiences is outsized to the reality of the situation. In fact, pessimistic thinking doesn’t require a specific event. A person simply might think:It’s going to be another bad day.

Low Self-Esteem and Depression

Being able to recognize and address flaws is an important aspect of growth, but taking this to an extreme can indicate a problem. Understanding that all humans have old habits and unhelpful patterns of thinking that affect their relationships, careers, and health is important—and recognizing how you might be getting in your own way is key to moving forward.

When to Be ConcernedIf you view yourself in an overly critical, even cruel, way rather than with compassion, you may be depressed. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses commonly focus on their flaws, oftenmagnifyingor even imagining them.

If you view yourself in an overly critical, even cruel, way rather than with compassion, you may be depressed. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses commonly focus on their flaws, oftenmagnifyingor even imagining them.

This critical self-talk comes from one’s internal critic: The thoughtI look tired todaybecomesI’m ugly.The realizationI made a slight miscalculation in my budgetbecomesI’m an idiot with numbers.A simple (and easily corrected) mistake may propel someone into a deluge of self-destructive thoughts.I forgot to feed the catbecomesI’m a bad pet owner, irresponsible, and a worthless person.

If you frequently berate yourself this way, depression may be talking rather than realistic self-criticism. Likewise, grappling withfeelings of guilt(taking the blame for situations that are not your fault) may be a sign of underlying, perhaps even severe, depression.

Simply put, indifference is not caring one way or the other. By that definition alone, indifference may not sound like a good feeling to have. Indifference certainly can cause problems, both in personal and professional relationships, as well as our relationship to the world around us.

For example, being indifferent to the suffering of others compromisesempathy. Not caring about the outcome of a certain situation, or being apathetic, is often an indication that we’ve lost motivation.

When to Be ConcernedWhen indifference leads to inaction, it could indicate you’re dealing with depression. If you notice that the laundry has piled up, you haven’t paid the bills —but you just don’t care, this can be a sign that yourlevel of indifferenceis creating problems in your life.

When indifference leads to inaction, it could indicate you’re dealing with depression. If you notice that the laundry has piled up, you haven’t paid the bills —but you just don’t care, this can be a sign that yourlevel of indifferenceis creating problems in your life.

For example, a friend may come to you with a problem and rather than feeling engaged and compassionate toward them, you might find yourself sitting there silently or perhaps offering polite noises of agreement. Mostly, you just feel detached.

The various symptoms of bipolar depression can be challenging to identify, but the more you understand them the easier for you (and those around you) to recognize your patterns. Having an accurate diagnosis, support from a team of medical and mental health care professionals, andtreatmentthat’s effective for you will help you effectively manage your symptoms.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Learning to cope with any mental illness, including bipolar disorder, takes time. Keep in mind that it’s a process–and one that you don’t have to go through alone.

Coping With Bipolar Disorder

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Updated January 2020.Ballester J, Goldstein T, Goldstein B, et al.Is bipolar disorder specifically associated with aggression?.Bipolar Disord. 2012;14(3):283-90. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01006.xAnxiety and Depression Association of America.Depression.Additional ReadingBipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Nih.gov. Published October 2, 2019.American Psychiatric Association.What Are Bipolar Disorders?Psychiatry.org. Published 2017.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Updated January 2020.Ballester J, Goldstein T, Goldstein B, et al.Is bipolar disorder specifically associated with aggression?.Bipolar Disord. 2012;14(3):283-90. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01006.xAnxiety and Depression Association of America.Depression.Additional ReadingBipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Nih.gov. Published October 2, 2019.American Psychiatric Association.What Are Bipolar Disorders?Psychiatry.org. Published 2017.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Updated January 2020.Ballester J, Goldstein T, Goldstein B, et al.Is bipolar disorder specifically associated with aggression?.Bipolar Disord. 2012;14(3):283-90. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01006.xAnxiety and Depression Association of America.Depression.

National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.Updated January 2020.

Ballester J, Goldstein T, Goldstein B, et al.Is bipolar disorder specifically associated with aggression?.Bipolar Disord. 2012;14(3):283-90. doi:10.1111/j.1399-5618.2012.01006.x

Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Depression.

Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Nih.gov. Published October 2, 2019.American Psychiatric Association.What Are Bipolar Disorders?Psychiatry.org. Published 2017.

Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Nih.gov. Published October 2, 2019.

American Psychiatric Association.What Are Bipolar Disorders?Psychiatry.org. Published 2017.

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