Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a disorder characterized by extreme swings in mood, energy, and ability to function. The mood changes of bipolar disorder are more dramatic than normal ups and downs. They can hurt relationships and cause poor job or school performance. Bipolar disorder can be treated; contact your doctor if you think you may have this condition.

The two extremes of the illness are mania (when energy peaks, mood may be overly euphoric or irritable) and depression (when lethargy takes over, mood may be very blue). Severe episodes of mania or depression may sometimes be associated with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorders of thought.

There are three forms of this condition: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I disorder involves recurrent episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar II disorder involves milder episodes of mania (called hypomania) that alternate with episodes of depression. Cyclothymic disorder may be diagnosed in patients who experience frequent depressive symptoms and hypomania for at least two years and who have been without symptoms for no more than two months.