What characterizes bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized primarily by the presence of recurrent episodes of both depression and mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience significant mood changes that can swing from periods of extreme highs, known as manic episodes, to periods of deep lows, referred to as depressive episodes.

During manic episodes, individuals may exhibit increased energy, reduced need for sleep, an expansive or irritable mood, grandiosity, and potentially risky behaviors. In contrast, depressive episodes are marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. The cyclical nature of these episodes—ranging from depressive lows to manic highs—is a defining feature of bipolar disorder, making option B the correct characterization.

The other options do not adequately capture the nature of bipolar disorder; moderate mood swings or continuous low-grade depression might suggest other mood disorders, while severe anxiety and panic attacks pertain more to anxiety disorders rather than bipolar disorder.