BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a type of mental illness that involves a disorder of affect or mood.  The person’s moods usually swing between overly “high” or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, with periods of normal mood in between.

The high (manic) mood associated with manic-depression is sometimes a pleasurable, euphoric and productive state, but can involve potentially dangerous lapses of judgment, impulsive and potentially ruinous behavior, and in the most severe forms, can involve extreme agitation and loss of reason (psychosis).  The depressed phase is similar to, and can be confused with, major depression, and involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness and helplessness.

Manic-depression affects more than 2% of the general population over a lifetime.  Although the illness can occur at any age, fully half of cases begin before age 20.  The disorder occurs about equally in men and women, and because it tends to run in families, there appears to be a string genetic link.  In addition, this illness can have profound effects on friend and family members.

 

Symptoms of Depression Lack of interest or pleasure in activities Lack of concentration and indecisiveness Unexplainable physical pain (headache, backache) Sleep disturbances Fatigue or loss of energy Significant change in appetite Feelings of guilt and worthlessness Thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of Mania Extreme irritability and distractibility Excessive “high” or euphoric feelings Increased energy, activity, restlessness Racing thoughts, rapid speech Decreased need for sleep Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers Increased sexual drive Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, rash business decisions, or erratic driving