What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a serious brain disorder that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. It affects 2.3 million adult Americans, which is about 1.2 percent of the population, and can run in families.
The disorder affects men and women equally. Bipolar disorder is characterized by episodes of mania and depression that can last from days to months. Bipolar disorder is a chronic and generally life-long condition with recurring episodes that often begin in adolescence or early adulthood, and occasionally even in children.
It generally requires lifelong treatment, and recovery between episodes is often poor. Generally, those who suffer from bipolar disorder have symptoms of both mania and depression (sometimes at the same time).
What are the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Mania is the word that describes the activated phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of mania may include:
either an elated,
happy mood or an irritable,
angry, unpleasant mood
increased
activity or energy
more
thoughts and faster thinking than normal
increased
talking, more rapid speech than normal
ambitious,
often grandiose, plans
poor
judgement
increased
sexual interest and activity
decreased
sleep and decreased need for sleep
Depression is the other phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of depression may include:
depressed
or apathetic mood
decreased
activity and energy
restlessness
and irritability
fewer
thoughts than usual and slowed thinking
less
talking and slowed speech
less
interest or participation in, and less
enjoyment
of activities normally enjoyed
decreased
sexual interest and activity
hopeless
and helpless feelings
feelings
of guilt and worthlessness
pessimistic
outlook
thoughts
of suicide
change
in appetite (either eating more or eating
less)
change
in sleep patterns (either sleeping more
or sleeping
less)
"Hope is necessary in every condition."
Samuel Johnson
1709-1784
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