📄 Page 1 – Easy Read: What is Bipolar? Level 2 Module

  

🧠 Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition.

It causes strong changes in:

• Mood (how you feel)
• Energy
• Sleep
• Concentration
• Daily life activities

Types of Episodes:

🌟 Mania

• Feeling very excited, full of energy, or irritable
• Racing thoughts, less sleep, risky choices
• Can last at least 7 days

⚡ Hypomania

• Like mania but less strong
• Noticeable changes in mood and energy
• Does not usually need hospital care

😔 Depression

• Feeling very sad or hopeless
• Tired, low energy
• Problems with sleep or appetite
• Lasts at least 2 weeks

🔄 Mixed Episodes

• Feeling high and low at the same time

Other Facts:

• Bipolar is different from depression – it has manic or hypomanic episodes too.
• Rapid cycling: 4 or more episodes in a year.
• Cyclothymic disorder: Milder mood swings that last for years.

Treatment:

• Medicines – mood stabilisers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants
• Therapy and support groups – learning coping skills and getting help

 📄 Page 2 – Quiz Questions

1.        What does bipolar disorder affect?
a) Only mood
b) Mood, energy, sleep, and daily life
c) Only sleep

2.        What is mania?
a) Feeling very excited or full of energy, with risky behavior
b) Feeling a little tired
c) Having a cold

3.        What is hypomania?
a) A less strong form of mania
b) The same as depression
c) A type of sleep problem

4.        How long do depressive episodes usually last?
a) At least 2 weeks
b) 1 day
c) 1 year

5.        What does rapid cycling mean?
a) Riding a bike very quickly
b) 4 or more mood episodes in a year
c) Having only one mood swing

6.        What is Cyclothymic disorder?
a) Very strong manic episodes
b) Milder mood swings lasting for years
c) A type of anxiety disorder

7.        Name one type of treatment for bipolar disorder.