Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that describes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. This shifts are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe and can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.

Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. The deep mood swings of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, and those of family and friends, too.

Today, a growing volume of research suggests that bipolar disorder occurs across a spectrum of symptoms, and that many people aren’t correctly diagnosed. Left untreated, bipolar disorder generally worsens, and the suicide rate is high among those with bipolar disorder.

Genetic factors contribute a lot to the likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. Environmental factors are also implicated. Bipolar depressive illness is often treated with mood stabilizer medications and sometimes other psychiatric drugs. Psychotherapy also has a role, often when there has been some recovery of stability.

Pshichoterapeuts have an important role in treating serious cases of this disease. If there is a risk of harm to oneself or others involuntary commitment may be used; these cases generally involve severe manic episodes with dangerous behavior or depressive states with suicidal ideas.

Read more about any symptom of bipolar disorder on Symptomofbipolardisorder.net.

Tags: bipolar, bipolar depression, symptom of bipolar disorder, symptom of bi polar disorder, bipolar disorder