BACK TO OVERVIEW PAGE

 Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sing of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person's mood can alternate betwen the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks, or months.

Bipolar disorder affects more than 2 million adult Americans. It most commonly begins in a person's late teens or early adulthood (often apearing as depression) although it is not uncommon for it to start in early childhood. It can even start later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups, and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends, and coworkers.

TYPES OF BIPOLAR DEPRESSION

Patterns and severity of symptoms (or episodes of highs and lows) determine different types of bipolar disorder. The two most common types are Bipolar I disorder and Bipolar II disorder.

BIPOLAR DISORDER ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Bipolar disorder can affect anyone, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

TREATMENTS

Treatment of bipolar disoder may include support groups, medication, talk therapy, or other strategies that you and your health care provider may want to try. The right treatment is the one that works best for you.

BACK TO THE TOP OF PAGE