What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy and ability to function. Unlike the common highs and lows everyone experiences, the mood swings of bipolar disorder are severe — untreated, they can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. However, the illness can be treated, and people diagnosed with bipolar disorder can lead full, productive lives.
Signs & Symptoms
Bipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable (mania) to sad and hopeless (depression), often with periods of normal mood in between. The intensity of the signs and symptoms vary, but severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these mood changes, called episodes.
Causes
The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but doctors and researchers have concluded that a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of the illness.
Evidence indicates that abnormalities in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. This results in the person being more vulnerable to emotional and physical stresses. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the illness—however, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease. Factors such as drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events may also contribute to or trigger episodes of the disorder.
Evidence indicates that abnormalities in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. This results in the person being more vulnerable to emotional and physical stresses. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the illness—however, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease. Factors such as drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events may also contribute to or trigger episodes of the disorder.
Who is affected by Bipolar?
About 5.7 million adults in the United States, age 18 and older, have bipolar disorder. While the disease typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, some people have their first symptoms during childhood and others develop them late in life. Often not recognized as an illness, people may be affected by the bipolar disorder for years before being properly diagnosed and treated. Like other chronic diseases, bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.
Treatment
About 5.7 million adults in the United States, age 18 and older, have bipolar disorder. While the disease typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, some people have their first symptoms during childhood and others develop them late in life. Often not recognized as an illness, people may be affected by the bipolar disorder for years before being properly diagnosed and treated. Like other chronic diseases, bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person's life.
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