One of the criteria for diagnosing amanic or hypomanic episodeofbipolar disorderis what we call an expansive mood.
They exhibit larger-than-life behaviors that can often be accompanied by (or result in) extreme bursts of irritability.
Boundaries can be ignored and even casual acquaintances or strangers may be pulled in as intimate confidantes.
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Oftentimes, the person won’t even understand why the behavior was wrong or how it offended others.
It is common for a bipolar person with expansive mood to spend excessively.
Much of these behaviors are centered around the need to garner attention.
Irritability is one of them.
Conversations can often be frenetic and scattered.
More concerning, perhaps, is the sudden impulsiveness a person may exhibit during an expansive mood.
Causes
The association between disinhibition and bipolar disorder is well known and strong.
Together, these factors appear to play a foundational role in the behaviors that are symptomatic of expansive mood.
Treatment is available if needed.
2013; 146(3):407-13.
