Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression.

It is a treatable
illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and
behavior. It has symptoms of Mania: The "Highs" of Bipolar Disorder
and Depression: The "Lows" of Bipolar Disorder. These changes in
mood, or "mood swings" are intense and can last for hours, days, weeks
or even months.

People with this disorder typically seek help when they are in the
depressive phase and are often initially diagnosed with unipolar
depression. Some people suffer for years before they are properly
diagnosed and treated. 7 of every 10 people with bipolar disorder are
misdiagnosed at least once. The average length of time to correct
diagnosis and treatment is 10 years.

Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world.

Contrary to popular belief, as many men have this disorder as women.
As many as one in five patients with bipolar disorder commit suicide.
Although a specific genetic link to
bipolar disorder has not been pin pointed,
research shows that bipolar disorder tends
to run in families. About 6 million adult
Americans are affected by bipolar
disorder. That is approximately 2.5%
of the adult population.

artwork from “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” movie

The "lows" of this disorder are much like that of unipolar depression and are sometimes referred
to as "bipolar depression." People with BD experience bipolar depression more often than mania
or hypomania. Bipolar depression is also more likely to be accompanied by disability and suicidal
thinking and behavior.
Symptoms of Depression:
 Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying
spells
 Loss of appetite and changes in sleep
patterns with sleeping far too much
 Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
 Pessimism, indifference, defeat, feelings of
impending doom
 Loss of energy, lethargic
 Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
 Having problems focusing, remembering,
and making decisions
 Unable to enjoy things anymore, social
withdrawal and isolation
 Unexplained aches and pains
 Suicidal thoughts or attempting suicide.
The "highs" of this disorder come less frequently, but can be very
intense and last for a long period of time.

Symptoms of Mania:
 Excessive energy, racing thoughts and rapid talking
 Denial that anything is wrong
 Extreme “high” or euphoric feelings
 Easily irritated or distracted
 Decreased need for sleep – possibly days with little or no sleep without
feeling tired
 Unrealistic beliefs in one’s ability and powers
 Unusually poor judgment
 Sustained, unusual behavior
 Unusual sexual drive
 Abuse of drugs and alcohol
 Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
There are different levels of this disorder.

Bipolar I Disorder — defined by manic or mixed episodes that last at least seven days, or by
manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually,
depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks.

Bipolar II Disorder — defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes,

but no full-blown manic or mixed episodes.

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (BP-NOS) — diagnosed when symptoms of the
illness exist but do not meet diagnostic criteria for either bipolar I or II. However, the
symptoms are clearly out of the person's normal range of behavior.

Cyclothymic Disorder, or Cyclothymia — a mild form of bipolar disorder. People with

cyclothymia have episodes of hypomania as well as mild depression for at least 2 years.
However, the symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for any other type of bipolar
disorder.

Rapid-cycling Bipolar Disorder — An extremely severe form of the disorder. Rapid cycling
occurs when a person has four or more episodes of major depression, mania, hypomania, or
mixed states, all within a year. Rapid cycling seems to be more common in people who have
their first bipolar episode at a younger age. Rapid cycling affects more women than men.
Rapid cycling can come and go.
Although bipolar disorder is equally common in women and men, research indicates that
approximately three times as many women as men experience rapid cycling.

Everyone is different and will experience their own combination of symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is treatable, and recovery is possible.
One way to treat it is with various forms of psychotherapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Helps

people with bipolar disorder learn to change
harmful or negative thought patterns and
behaviors.

Family-Focused Therapy - Helps enhance

family coping strategies, such as recognizing
new episodes early and helping their loved one.

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy -

Helps people with bipolar disorder improve
their relationships with others and manage their
daily routines.

Psychoeducation - Usually done in a group,

teaches people about the illness and its
treatment. Can help to recognize signs of an
impending mood swing so treatment can be
sought early, before a full-blown episode
occurs. It may also be helpful for family
members and caregivers.
There is no one medication for bipolar disorder. Depending on the person,
various combinations of these or similar drugs might be prescribed.

Mood stabilizers: Lithium (helps with mania and

depression), LATUDA (as adjunctive therapy
with lithium), Benzodiazepines (primarily for
mania and related anxiety disorders)
Anticonvulsants Used as Mood Stabilizers:
Depakote (valproic acid), Lamictal, Neurontin,
Topamax, Trileptal Antipsychotics: Olanzapine
(Zyprexa), Aripiprazole (Abilify), Quetiapine
(Seroquel)
Antidepressants: Fluoxetine (Prozac),
Paroxetine (Paxil), Sertraline (Zoloft), Bupropion
(Wellbutrin), and there are others
Living with bipolar disorder can be like living on a rollercoaster of emotions
and life events. At its highest point there can be intense mania and at its lowest,
severe depression. Either state can last for days or weeks and the transition
from one to the other can be slow. Typically, depression steals away much more
time than mania. Both can be extremely damaging to someone’s life.
With mania, thoughts and feelings come and go quickly. You can
feel elated and enthusiastic with intensity and power even
invincible. Euphoria and sensuality can pervade. The universe has
meaning and the world is a wonderful place. You are in tune with
life and it seems there is nothing you can’t do but, unfortunately,
it does not stop there. Your perceptions about yourself and the
world become unrealistic. Making poor decisions, you act on
impulse. The money goes easily, excessive use of alcohol and
drugs can ensue, you might go in for gambling, or engage in risky
sexual behavior. The loss of control can be frightening. Instead of
a wonderful experience, you might become irritable, angry, and
aggressive. Ignoring the consequences, your actions can become
very destructive. In the extreme, mania can become psychosis
complete with paranoia and hallucinations.
There might be long periods of being
simply normal but severe depression
can come. It can be paralyzing and
debilitating, painful emotionally and
physically. Energy and optimism go
away and it could become impossible to
function. This too can last for weeks or
months and will occur more than mania.
The good news is that it can all be
treated such that most people with
bipolar disorder can live normal, happy,
and fulfilling lives.
Fictional characters that appear to have
bipolar tendencies.
References
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December 2015. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-adults/index.shtml#pub4>.
02BD. Bipolar Disorder - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). December 2015. December 2015.
<http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_bipolar>.

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(2002): 241-7. <http://search.proquest.com/docview/199032516?accountid=10939>.
04BD. "Studying young people at high genetic risk of bipolar disorder: preparing the ground for future
prevention and early intervention - - Mitchell, P. B., Roberts, G., & Green, M. J." Neuropsychiatry 3 (4) (2013):
357-361.
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<http://search.proquest.com/docview/1470780042?accountid=10939>.

06BD. "Insight in bipolar disorder - Látalová, K." Psychiatric Quarterly (2012): 293-310.