BipolarSky

# Mood Stages in Bipolar I–II ## Overview - **Hashtag**: #BipolarSky - **Link**: https://linktr.ee/bipolarsky - **Usernames**: @coolhand.bsky.social and @luke@lukesteuber.com *This is not medical advice or a diagnostic tool. It is for educational and entertainment purposes only.* --- ## Left Panel (Audience and Diagnostic Overlap) ### Who else feels like this? All of the stages on the right happen in Bipolar I. Many of them also apply to Bipolar II, but not all. Many also apply to other conditions — especially ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and PTSD. Compare the bars below to the stages to the right and you'll see what's typical for that diagnosis. ### Diagnosis Categories (Left-to-Right Columns) 1. **Blue column** (far left): ADHD • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 2. **Light blue column**: Cyclothymia (Manic Depression) • Anxiety Disorder 3. **Light yellow column**: Bipolar II • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) 4. **Light pink column**: Bipolar I • Schizophrenia • Schizoaffective Disorder 5. **Dark blue column** (far right): Major Depressive Disorder • PTSD --- ## Main Panel (Right Section – 8 Mood States) Each mood state features: - A bold title (and subtype label if applicable) - An italicized quote reflecting lived experience - A bulleted description of symptoms - A symbolic icon in the bottom-right corner --- ### 1. Psychosis (Psychotic Episode) – Pink Background > *There's no time to talk about it, don't you see the bugs?* **Description**: - Experiencing hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) or delusions (false beliefs). Common in severe manic episodes. - Confused and disturbed thoughts, including rapid or disorganized speech. - Common in severe manic episodes, but can occur in severe depression. - Plan ahead and have a protocol in place; warn emergency services. **Icon**: A red square with a white megaphone and exclamation mark, symbolizing urgent or delusional speech. --- ### 2. Mixed Episode – Light Orange Background > *Maybe if I can accomplish this one last thing I'll finally matter.* **Description**: - Symptoms of both mania and depression; common in severe Bipolar I. - Confusion and disorganization in thoughts. - High risk of self-harm and substance abuse. - Associated with creativity; many famous examples. **Icon**: Silhouette of a person with arms raised, standing beneath a sun and moon symbol to convey both manic and depressive energy. --- ### 3. Mania (Manic Episode) – Yellow Background > *No, I'm serious, listen to me: We can sell this. I already wrote it up.* **Description**: - Severe elevated mood and high energy. - Risky behaviors and poor decision-making. - Disconnection from reality can occur. - "Time dilation" — passage of time experienced variably. - Common in Bipolar I disorder. **Icon**: Black figure running uphill toward a bright sun. --- ### 4. Hypomania – Light Yellow Background > *Sorry I ghosted you! I won't happen again, I swear!* **Description**: - Talking to people is easier; very active on social media. - Writing a business plan, spending too much. - Impulsive energy makes others uncomfortable. - Thoughts are speeding up in all directions; can escalate to mania. - Common in Bipolar II, also considered BPII's "limit." **Icon**: Person with raised hand, surrounded by four audience figures — symbolizing increased sociability. --- ### 5. Euthymia – White Background > *Is this happiness? Am I normal? Is my bipolar cured? For how long?* **Description**: - Stable bipolar phase usually considered "normal." - A baseline state characterized by absence of depression or mania. - Responsible, mostly focused, and confident. - Worries about depression, can delay tasks for mania. - Not to be confused with cyclothymia (manic depression). **Icon**: Person balancing scales, representing stability and balance. --- ### 6. Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder) – Light Blue Background > *I feel pretty down all the time, but I guess that's life. Off to work again.* **Description**: - Chronic low mood lasting for years. - Decreased interest in activities, low energy. - Feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem. - Able to function daily but with reduced enthusiasm. - Requires ongoing treatment and support. **Icon**: Person sitting with hunched posture and neutral expression. --- ### 7. Moderate Depression – Medium Blue Background > *I feel weighed down. I can't keep up. It's just so exhausting.* **Description**: - Noticeable impact on daily life and productivity. - Persistent sadness, fatigue, and low energy. - Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities (anhedonia). - Difficulty concentrating and making decisions. - Increased risk of progressing to severe depression. **Icon**: Figure standing with slouched shoulders and a downward head. --- ### 8. Severe Depression (Major Depressive Episode) – Dark Blue Background > *There isn't any point anymore. Just let me sleep.* **Description**: - Overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. - Severe sleep disturbances and physical symptoms like fatigue. - Almost complete inability to perform daily activities. - Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. **Icon**: Figure lying on the ground, expressing physical and emotional collapse. --- ## Footer Section **Left corner – Logo and Tagline**: Circular icon showing an upward spiral with the words: "one impossible thing at a time" **Right corner – Tip Jar & Support Text**: "This work runs on tips! Come support me for more: patreon.com/lukeslp Bipolar communities and other resources: linktr.ee/bipolarsky" --- ## Design and Structure Notes - The layout is split into two main panels: the left side (context and diagnostic overlap) and the right side (mood states). - Each mood state is color-coded and ranked from top (most intense, like psychosis) to bottom (most depressive, like severe depression). - Quotes offer lived experience insight while definitions focus on clinical clarity. - Icons visually reinforce mood or energy level (e.g., upright figure for mania, collapsed figure for depression). - Color transitions reflect emotional intensity — from pink/yellow (high energy) to dark blue (low energy/depressive states).

# Bipolar Terminology Glossary This infographic is a visually structured glossary of 28 psychological and psychiatric terms relevant to Bipolar I and II disorders. It organizes terms alphabetically in four vertical columns, each with a matching definition beside it. Definitions are written in plain, accessible language. Each term is color-coded by its relevance to associated conditions or topics. --- ## Color Coding Legend - **Yellow**: Bipolar I - **Light Yellow**: Bipolar I & II - **Blue**: Bipolar, ADHD, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) - **Light Blue**: Bipolar & Depression - **Red**: Bipolar, PTSD, Brain Injury --- ## Terms and Definitions ### Column 1 1. **Alogia** (Light Blue) "Poverty of speech, or a reduction in the amount or content of speech, commonly seen in schizophrenia." 2. **Anhedonia** (Light Blue) "Inability to experience pleasure from activities usually found enjoyable, often a symptom of major depressive disorder." 3. **Cyclothymia** (Light Yellow) "A chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance involving periods of hypomania and depression, once called 'Manic Depression.'" 4. **Depersonalization** (Red) "A sense of detachment from oneself or one's surroundings, often seen in dissociative disorders." 5. **Derealization** (Red) "A feeling that the external world is not real, often experienced in dissociative disorders." 6. **Dissociation** (Red) "A sense of detachment from reality, often as a defense mechanism against trauma." 7. **Dysphoria or Euphoria** (Gray) "A state of unease or generalized dissatisfaction with life, as opposed to contentment and comfort." 8. **Dysthymia** (Light Blue) "A chronic form of depression with symptoms lasting for at least two years, but is milder than major depression." 9. **Echolalia** (Light Blue) "Repeating the words or phrases spoken by others, commonly seen in autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia." --- ### Column 2 10. **Flight of Ideas** (Yellow) "Rapidly shifting thoughts that make it difficult to follow a conversation, commonly observed in mania." 11. **Grandiosity** (Yellow) "An inflated sense of one's own importance, power, knowledge, or identity, often seen in manic episodes." 12. **Hyperarousal** (Red) "Heightened state of anxiety and sensitivity to stimuli." 13. **Hypomania** (Light Yellow) "A less intense form of mania, characterized by elevated mood and increased activity levels." 14. **Major Depression** (Light Blue) "A persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that interferes with daily functioning, lasting for at least two weeks." 15. **Mania** (Yellow) "An abnormally elevated mood, often accompanied by hyperactivity, grandiosity, and reduced need for sleep." 16. **Mixed Episode** (Light Yellow) "The presence of both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time, a challenging state in Bipolar I." 17. **Mood Congruent or Incongruent** (Gray) "Emotional symptoms that are either consistent with, or at odds with, a person's mood." --- ### Column 3 18. **Mood Lability** (Red) "Rapid and extreme fluctuations in mood, commonly observed in bipolar disorder, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury." 19. **Neologism** (Gray) "Creating new words or phrases that may have meaning only to the person using them, often seen in psychotic disorders." 20. **Perseveration** (Light Blue) "The repetitive and continuous focus on a single thought or idea, often seen in thought disorders." 21. **Pressured Speech** (Light Yellow) "Speaking rapidly and frenetically, often difficult to interrupt, typically occurring during manic episodes." 22. **Prodromal Phase** (Gray) "The early symptoms and signs of a disorder before the characteristic symptoms appear." 23. **Psychosis** (Red) "Severe mental disturbances characterized by distorted thinking, perception, and behavior, such as delusions and hallucinations." 24. **Rapid Cycling** (Light Yellow) "A pattern in bipolar disorder involving four or more mood episodes (manic, hypomanic, or depressive) within a year." --- ### Column 4 25. **Residual Phase** (Gray) "The phase following the active phase of a disorder, where some symptoms remain but are less severe." 26. **Tangentiality** (Gray) "Digressing from the main topic without answering the original question or completing a thought." 27. **Ultradian Cycling** (Light Yellow) "Rapid cycling within a single day, characterized by multiple mood shifts over a 24-hour period." 28. **Word Salad** (Gray) "Incoherent mixture of words and phrases, often seen in severe cases of schizophrenia." --- **Footer Text**: "This work runs on tips! Come support me for more: patreon.com/lukeslp Bipolar communities and other resources: linktr.ee/bipolarsky" --- ## Design Notes - The infographic uses a grid layout: four vertical columns with each term next to its definition in a box. - The use of high-contrast color coding visually distinguishes the categories and adds a secondary layer of information. - Font is consistent, legible, and uses boldface for terms and normal text for definitions. - The organization facilitates quick lookup or reference for anyone wanting to understand terms used in clinical, therapeutic, or lived experience discussions related to Bipolar I & II.

# Bipolar Stages Handout This infographic is vertically segmented into five horizontal sections, each representing a different stage of mania in Bipolar I or Bipolar II, progressing from least to most severe. Each section includes a title, quote, characteristics list, and symbolic icon. --- ## 1. EUTHYMIA (Yellow Background) > *"Is this happiness? Is my bipolar cured?"* **Characteristics**: - Described as the stable bipolar phase, often referred to as "normal." - Person is responsible, mostly focused, and confident. - May still have underlying worries about oncoming depression. - Tends to delay tasks in anticipation of a potential manic episode. - Can be misdiagnosed as cyclothymia (a milder form of bipolar disorder or chronic mood disturbance). **Icon** (Right Side): Blue silhouette of a standing person holding up scales, symbolizing emotional balance and stability. --- ## 2. HYPOMANIA (Light Blue Background) > *"Sorry to ghost you! I swear it won't happen again!"* **Characteristics**: - Talking to people becomes easier; the person may become more active on social media. - They may be writing a business plan or spending money excessively. - Changes in self-image: profile picture may be updated multiple times in a day. - Internal thought processes are speeding up in all directions. - Often considered the upper limit of Bipolar II disorder, meaning this is the highest manic state typically reached in Bipolar II. **Icon** (Left Side): A single person with a raised hand stands in front of an audience of four blue people, symbolizing heightened sociability and expressiveness. --- ## 3. MANIA (Manic Episode) (Yellow Background) > *"I'm not manic, listen, I think we can sell this."* **Characteristics**: - Individual is unaware of basic needs like eating, drinking, or sleeping. - May start multiple ambitious projects, but also get distracted by installing many unrelated apps (e.g., "pauses to install 15 apps"). - Impulsive energy can make others feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed. - Experiences "time dilation" – a warped sense of time, where moments feel elongated or compressed. - Feels hypersexual, emotional, energized, and physically dehydrated due to the intensity of the episode. **Icon** (Right Side): A central blue figure dressed like a monarch or deity, surrounded by a group of smaller blue silhouettes, symbolizing inflated self-importance or grandiosity. --- ## 4. MANIA (Mixed Episode) (Light Blue Background) > *"Maybe if I finish this one last thing I will matter."* **Characteristics**: - Person feels simultaneously energized and deeply sad, creating an emotional paradox. - Exhibits erratic behavior like being tempted to join the Peace Corps at 3AM. - Mixed episodes are often linked to bursts of creativity and have been seen in many famous individuals. - Represents the highest risk phase for substance abuse and self-harm. - Thoughts continue to move quickly but are fixated – stuck in repetitive or obsessive loops. **Icon** (Left Side): A blue person holding their chin in a thinking pose, surrounded by icons representing conflicting emotions: a lightning bolt, heart, broken heart, water droplet, star, and brain — symbolizing the chaotic blend of manic and depressive symptoms. --- ## 5. PSYCHOSIS (Psychotic Episode) (Yellow Background) > *"No time to discuss mania; bugs in the mattress."* **Characteristics**: - Psychosis is described as a state, not a diagnosis or medical condition. - It is more frequent in formal thought disorders like schizophrenia. - Most commonly arises in Bipolar I manic episodes, but can occur with all bipolar subtypes. - Individuals and caregivers are advised to plan ahead and establish a protocol for handling such episodes safely. - In case emergency services are required, they should be warned in advance to reduce risk. **Icon** (Right Side): A blue figure holding their head in confusion, surrounded by three question marks and several small bug illustrations — symbolizing delusional or hallucinatory thinking. --- ## Design Notes - The infographic uses a consistent color palette alternating between yellow and blue backgrounds to differentiate stages. - Each section includes both clinical observations and experiential quotes, blending scientific insight with lived experience. - Visual layout flows logically from top (least symptomatic) to bottom (most severe state). - Icons are stylized and abstract, not realistic, ensuring universal accessibility and avoiding stigmatizing imagery. - Designed to be approachable but informative, with subtle humor and empathetic tone embedded in quotes.