Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression or bipolar depression and is a common mood disorder. It is characterized by episodes of depression alternating with manic states.
Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behaviour go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present. A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include: increased energy, activity, and restlessness, excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another, distractibility, can't concentrate well, little sleep needed, unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers, poor judgment, spending sprees, a lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual, increased sexual drive, abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications, provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour, denial that anything is wrong.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include: lasting sadness, anxious, or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex, decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down", difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions, restlessness or irritability, sleeping too much, or can't sleep, change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain, chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury, thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other symptoms include thoughts of suicide; sleep patterns being disrupted, and general loss of interest in activities. What differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic episodes. These maniac episodes are described as emotional "highs," which occur between the episodes of depression. Symptoms of manic states include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behaviour, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep.
Bipolar disorder is a treatable condition. With appropriate treatment people can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and are able to lead a normal life. Treatment of bipolar disorder involves medications known as "mood stabilizers." Lithium is the most commonly prescribed mood stabilizer for people with bipolar disorder.
