Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person. Extreme changes in energy, activity, and sleep go along with mood episodes.
Signs & Symptoms
People in a manic episode may display:
- Talking very fast
- Thinking they can do multiple tasks at the same time
- Become more active than usual
- Engage in risky behaviors like overspending, or reckless sex
- Appear agitated or jumpy
People in a depressive episode may display:
- Eat to much or too little
- Have no energy
- Feel very sad, empty, or hopeless
- Sleep too much or not at all
- Can't seem to enjoy anything
Treatment
Treatment helps many people—even those with the most severe forms of bipolar disorder—gain better control of their mood swings and other bipolar symptoms. An effective treatment plan usually includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. Episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment helps to control these symptoms.
