What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes mood swings between emotional highs (mania or hypomania)
and lows (depression). Depression may cause feelings of sadness or hopelessness,
while mania or hypomania may cause feelings of euphoria or irritability.
Mania is a severe form that can result in risky behavior, delusions and hallucinations.
Hypomania may feel good at first, but it usually leads to manic symptoms or a major
depressive episode.

Bipolar disorder can run in families, but it isn’t always inherited. People with bipolar
disorder often have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, eating
disorders or substance abuse disorders.
There is no single cause for bipolar disorder. Rather, it is likely the result of a
combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Treatment for bipolar disorder typically includes medication and counseling or therapy.
With treatment, most people with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and live
healthy, productive lives.
If you think you may have bipolar disorder, talk to your doctor or a mental health
professional. They can do a complete evaluation and make a diagnosis. Early diagnosis
and treatment is important for preventing episodes of mania or depression from
becoming worse.
Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally. The average age of onset is 25, but it
can occur in children as well as older adults. People with bipolar disorder often have
other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders or substance
abuse disorders.

What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be divided into two categories:
Manic symptoms and depressive symptoms. Mania is the defining symptom of bipolar I
disorder, while hypomania is the defining symptom of bipolar II disorder. Depressive
episodes occur in both types of bipolar disorder.

What are the causes of bipolar disorder?

The cause of bipolar disorder is not fully understood, but it is thought to be a
combination of genetic and environmental factors.

How is bipolar disorder treated?

Bipolar disorder is typically treated with medication and counseling or therapy. With
treatment, most people with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and live
healthy, productive lives.

What are the long-term effects of bipolar disorder?

If left untreated, bipolar disorder can lead to serious problems, such as relationship
problems, job loss, substance abuse, and suicide. However, with treatment, most
people with bipolar disorder can live normal lives.

Conclusion

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme of mood. These mood swings
can include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Bipolar
Disorder can run in families, but it isn’t always inherited. People with bipolar disorder
often have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders or
substance abuse disorders.

There is no single cause for bipolar disorder. Rather, it is likely the result of a
combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment for bipolar disorder
typically includes medication and counseling or therapy. With treatment, most people
with bipolar disorder can manage their symptoms and live healthy, productive lives.
If you think you may have bipolar disorder, talk to your Psychiatrist or Bright Way Clinic.
They can do a complete evaluation and make a diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for preventing episodes of mania or depression from becoming
worse.