Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar disorder, (manic-depressive disorder) is associated with mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities. When your mood shifts in the other direction, you may feel euphoric and full of energy. Mood shifts may occur only a few times a year, or as often as several times a day. In some cases, bipolar disorder causes symptoms of depression and mania at the same time (Bipolar Disorder, 2013).

Although bipolar disorder is a disruptive, long-term condition, you can keep your moods in check by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder can be controlled with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy) (Bipolar Disorder, 2013)

Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood, from mania to depression. Between these mood episodes, a person with bipolar disorder may experience normal moods (What is Bipolar Disorder? 2013).

"Manic" describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can occur. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped (What is Bipolar Disorder? 2013).

"Depression" describes the opposite mood -- sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, sleep problems (What is Bipolar Disorder? 2013).

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but several factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering bipolar episodes: Biological differences, Neurotransmitters, Hormones, Inherited traits, Environment (Symptoms, 2012)

Bipolar disorder, formerly...

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...ved from National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/statistics/1BIPOLAR_ADULT.shtml

Pattern Recognition Technology May Help Predict Future Mental Illness in Teens. (2012, April 02). Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2012/pattern-recognition-technology-may-help-predict-future-mental-illness-in-teens.shtml

Science News About Bipolar Disorder. (2012, April 02). Retrieved from National institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/science-news-about-bipolar-disorder.shtml

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder May Go Undiagnosed in Some Adults with Major Depression. (2010, August 16). Retrieved from National Institute of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2010/symptoms-of-bipolar-disorder-may-go-undiagnosed-in-some-adults-with-major-depression.shtml

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