| Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as | | | | disorder. |
| manic-depressive illness, is a brain | | | | Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood |
| disorder that inflicts unusual swing not | | | | swings, from overly high, called a mania |
| only in a person's mood but also the | | | | episode to an overly low mood called |
| level of energy, irritability, | | | | severe depression. Some of bipolar |
| aggressiveness, ability to function and | | | | disorder's manic symptoms include |
| temperament. Although we all experience | | | | restlessness, extreme irritability, |
| certain changes in our mood from time to | | | | super-charged energy level, racing |
| time, someone who suffers from bipolar | | | | thoughts and ideas followed by the |
| disorder experience this in much greater | | | | inability to express them in an |
| intensity and severity, often it becomes | | | | understandable manner, feeling |
| so extreme and disruptive that this | | | | excessively "high" or euphoric, feeling |
| disorder interferes with a person's | | | | jumpy or needing very little sleep, |
| normal daily life. | | | | total lack of concentration, becoming |
| This condition can be dangerous and even | | | | easily distracted, unrealistic beliefs |
| life-threatening if left undiagnosed and | | | | in one's abilities and powers and poor |
| untreated. A patient who is suffering | | | | judgment. Some may also experience |
| from bipolar disorder may deteriorate | | | | increased sexual drive, becoming |
| from feeling depressed to feeling | | | | intrusive, aggressive or provocative and |
| absolutely suicidal as the sense of | | | | still deny that anything is wrong with |
| sadness, loneliness and hopelessness | | | | them. |
| take hold. This disorder usually | | | | On the other end of the scale, symptoms |
| develops in late adolescence, around the | | | | of a depressive episode include an |
| age of eighteen or early adulthood. | | | | overwhelming feeling of hopelessness or |
| However many sufferers live with this | | | | pessimism, a prolonged feeling of |
| condition for years before it is | | | | emptiness, anxiety and extreme sadness, |
| properly diagnosed. Without treatment, | | | | a sense of guilt or worthlessness, |
| the usual course of bipolar disorder | | | | difficulty in concentrating, remembering |
| tends to go from bad to worse. The risk | | | | or making decisions, sleeplessness or |
| of suicide appears to be higher earlier | | | | chronic fatigue leading to excessive |
| in the course of the illness, | | | | sleeping, loss of interest in activities |
| consequently being able to detect the | | | | previously enjoyed, weight gain or loss, |
| symptoms of bipolar disorder early and | | | | and continuous thought of suicide or |
| learning how best to manage it may help | | | | death. |
| decrease the risk of death by suicide. | | | | Seeking Treatment |
| Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder | | | | A sufferer of a bipolar disorder will |
| How can you identify the symptoms of | | | | need to be diagnosed by a certified |
| bipolar disorder? It is sometimes quite | | | | professional before treatment can |
| easy to dismiss this condition | | | | commence. Most people with this |
| especially among teenagers as they are | | | | condition, including those with the most |
| usually full of angst, depressed or go | | | | severe forms, can achieve substantial |
| through different phases of intense | | | | stabilization of their mood swings and |
| emotions during late adolescence or | | | | related symptoms with proper medication |
| early adulthood. Parents do need to keep | | | | and psychosocial treatment over a period |
| an eye on their teenage children's | | | | of time. Both the patient and doctor |
| feelings and if these episodes of mania | | | | must work closely together every step of |
| or depression do not subside or stop | | | | the way to monitor progress and make the |
| altogether, they could well be | | | | necessary adjustments to the treatment |
| exhibiting the symptoms of a bipolar | | | | plan to ensure treatment effectiveness. |