what does bipolar mean?

Answer 1

Emotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But for someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.

One day a person with bipolar disorder may feel so depressed that they can't get out of bed. Work may seem impossible.

On another day that person may feel great, full of endless energy and creativity. But other people might think that their actions are reckless and out of control.

Answer 2

First, I am assuming that you are talking about bipolar disorder, which is considered a mental illness. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders, Version 4, Text Revision (2000) would probably give you more detail, as well as a search on this federal government website: http://www.samhsa.gov/index.aspx
Basically, bipolar disorder comes in three flavors, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Bipolar NOS. NOS means Not Otherwise Specified. People who suffer from Bipolar I disorder have some of the most dramatic symptoms in psychiatry: high energy states to the point where people don't sleep for days, hypersexuality, impulsivity, hyperactivity, inability to focus, gregarous mood until someone tries to stop them from acting on their impulses then quick to become very irritable and very aggressive. Racing thoughts is another sign of this disorder--people sometimes cannot focus on one thought or concentrate on one activity. (Example: person starts painting the entire inside of house, takes apart car, starts load of laundry, and thinks they have revelations from God--all at the same time). What I am describing to you is what is known in my business as mania--some people describe it like a high on cocaine or methamphetamine. People can get incredibly optimistic at times when manic--buy stuff they don't have the money for, start ventures they don't have the resources emotionally or mentally to complete. When someone is very manic, delusions and hallucinations can be expereinced. The "high" of mania comes with a price (in addition to broken relationships, fights, etc.) the crash must come and that is exhaustion, and depression--low self worth, don't want to do anything, feelings of crushing guilt. Bipolar II is a variety of the disorder that has fewer symptoms of true mania, some symptoms of what is called hypomania (which is generally this state of enhanced well-being) and a lot more depression. And there are other "flavors" of bipolar disorder that don't fit into the categories, hence Bipolar Disorder NOS. Hope this is helpful

Answer 3

Everyone experiences emotional highs and lows, they are part of life. For someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.

One day a person with bipolar disorder may feel so depressed that they can't get out of bed. Work may seem impossible.

On another day that person may feel great, full of endless energy and creativity. But other people might think that their actions are reckless and out of control.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong medical condition that can be confusing and unpredictable, but it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Learning more about bipolar disorder can be helpful in managing this medical illness.

Answer 4

Think of the North Pole and the South Pole. North being happy, excited, south being sad, depressed. People who are bipolar switch from the up to the down, sometimes in a matter of days.

Answer 5

Bipolar is the term that describes a women's personality, changing from one moment to the next more specifically there emotions.

Answer 6

It means having large mood swings. From being really happy to being so depressed. It can also mean having anxiety attacks and having unreasonable fears. But all of these feelings are also normal. It is the degree of these feelings that determine if you have a problem.

Answer 7

Bi-polar people are suffering from and imbalance of brain neurotransmitters that cause them to experience rapid shifts in mood from highly exited to depressed. The term used to be "Manic Depressive". It is treatable, but try checking diet, like to much sugar etc, and try counseling, as the drugs that are prescribed can have some nasty side-effects.

Answer 8

Dramatic mood swings in a short period of time

Answer 9

an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain causing illogical thinking and irrational behavior

Answer 10

Having two opposite or contradictory ideas or natures.