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