Bipolar disorder:
For a patient to suffers from bipolar disorder, their mood must have at least three of the symptoms that characterise mania, which must persist for at least a week. This will be followed with at least two weeks where four or more symptoms of depression are present.
Symptoms associated with mania:
• Inflated self-esteem
• Little need for sleep
• Talking constantly
• Flight of ideas
• Easily distracted
• Excess pursuit of goal-directed activities or phsycomotor agitation (pacing, hand wringing)
• Excess pursuit of pleasure with a high risk of danger.
Symptoms associated with depression:
• Changes in appetite or weight, sleep or psychomotor activity
• Decreased energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Trouble thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicidal plans or attempts
ADHD:
For patients younger than 16, a minimum of six symptoms must be present for at least six months.
For patients 16 and older, a minimum of five will be sufficient.
These five or six symptoms must be from the same list of symptoms as shown below, for example six inattention systems alone or six hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms.
Inattention symptoms:
• Often fails to give close attention to detail or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork/at work
• Often has trouble holding attention on tasks or play activities • Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
• Often does not follow through on instructions to finish schoolwork or duties in the workplace • Often has trouble organising tasks and activities
• Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework)
• Often loses things necessary for tasks and activities (pens, pencils, school books, wallets and keys)
• Is often easily distracted
• Is forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms:
• Often fidget with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
• Often leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
• Often runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may be limited to feeling restless)
• Often unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly
• Is often “on the go” acting as if “driven by a motor”
• Often talks excessively
• Often blurts out an answer before a question has been completed
• Often has trouble waiting his/her turn
• Often interrupts or intrudes on others (for example butts into conversations or games).
The following conditions must be met for a patient to have ADHD:
• Several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms present before age 12
• Several symptoms present in more than one setting, such as at school/work and at home
• There is a clear evidence that they interfere with, or reduce the quality of, social, school, or work functioning.
