Bipolar symptoms as Lizzie McGuire star Robert Carradine dies age 71 after two-decade battle with disorder

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

Here are the symptoms of bipolar disorder following the death of Robert Carradine.

Yesterday (23 February) it was announced that Lizzie McGuire actor Carradine had died at the age of 71.

"It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away," read a statement issued to Deadline on behalf of the Carradine family.

"In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.

Robert Carradine, member of the Carradine acting family, has died at the age of 71 (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

The statement continued: "We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion."

It was later confirmed that Carradine, best known for his role in Revenge of the Nerds, had died by suicide after battling bipolar disorder for two decades.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

According to the NHS, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition which causes a person to experience extreme changes in their mood.

A person's mood will typically switch between mania and depression, both of which can last for days and weeks at a time. Bipolar patients may also experience periods of stable mood in-between episodes.

The actor was known for his roles in Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds (L. Cohen/WireImage)

Symptoms of high mood (mania) include:

• Racing thoughts and being unable to concentrate
• Feeling overly confident and adventurous
• Being impulsive
• Feeling very happy or excited
• Hallucinations or delusions

Symptoms of low mood (depression) include:

• Low energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Avoiding social interactions
• Sleeping too much or difficulty sleeping
• Suicidal thoughts

Bipolar disorder is typically treated through a combination of medication and therapy. Patients with bipolar are often at a higher risk of suffering from self harm, substance abuse and suicide, with a report from the World Health Organisation revealing that people with the condition die on average 13 years earlier than the general population.

Robert, pictured here with brother Keith, is survived by his three children Ever, Marica and Ian Carradine (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Quiver Distribution)

The actor's older brother Keith Carradine has also spoken out about his death, with the 76-year-old saying he wanted to raise awareness about his brother's experience with the disorder.

"We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it," he said. "It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was.

"That’s who my baby brother was."

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.