New Delhi, March 31 -- Bipolar disorder is commonly associated with dramatic mood swings - from extreme highs to deep lows. However, mental health experts say the early signs are often far more subtle, making the condition difficult to identify in its initial stages.

According to Dr Srinivas Rajkumar T, Consultant Psychiatrist at Mind & Memory Clinic, Apollo Clinic, early symptoms of bipolar disorder can easily be mistaken for stress, personality traits or even a phase of increased productivity.

"People often assume bipolar disorder means obvious emotional extremes. In reality, the early indicators can be mild and easy to overlook," he explains.

One of the key challenges in identifying bipolar disorder early is that some symptoms may a...