Bipolar Disorder is a biological psychiatric disorder that causes both physical and psychological symptoms. Bipolar and related disorders are given a chapter of their own in the DSM-V, between depressive disorders and schizophrenia spectrum disorders.The physical symptoms include: impairments in sleep, energy, appetite, and concentration. The psychological symptoms include changes in thoughts, feelings, actions, and choices. There are three categories of Bipolar Disorders:

Bipolar I disorder For a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, it is necessary to meet the following criteria for a manic episode. The manic episode may have been preceded by and may be followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. 

       Manic Episode: 

• A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary). 
• During the period of mood disturbance and increased energy or activity, 3 (or more) of the following symptoms (4 if the mood is only irritable) are present to a significant degree and represent a noticeable change from usual behavior: Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep) More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing Distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli), as reported or observed Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation (i.e., purposeless, non-goal-directed activity) Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments) 
• The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features. 
• The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or to another medical condition.

Bipolar II Disorder For a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder, it is necessary to meet the following criteria for a current or past hypomanic episode and the criteria for a current or past major depressive episode. 

• Criteria have been met for at least one hypomanic episode and at least one major depressive episode 
• There has never been a manic episode F The occurrence of the hypomanic episode(s) and major depressive episode(s) is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder. 
• The symptoms of depression or the unpredictability caused by frequent alternation between periods of depression and hypomania causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

• A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased activity or energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days and present most of the day, nearly every day. 
• During the period of mood disturbance and increased energy and activity, 3 (or more) of the above symptoms (4 if the mood is only irritable) have persisted, represent a noticeable change from usual behavior, and have been present to a significant degree.  
• The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the individual when not symptomatic. F The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others. 
• The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalization. If there are psychotic features, the episode is, by definition, manic. 
• The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment).

Cyclothymic disorder is a cyclic disorder that causes brief episodes of hypomania and depression

It is difficult to accurately diagnose if the individual is in the midst of the eating disorder because symptoms of the eating disorder and starvation can mimic the indicators of a mood disorder. If a number of warning signs are present it is recommended that the individual be seen by a psychiatrist who is knowledgeable of eating disorders to determine if medication is appropriate. Additionally, when starting to take a psychotropic medication it's important to assess for any of the above indicated symptoms as a side effect of the medication. Report any unusual changes as soon as possible to the prescribing physician.

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