What is bipolar disorder?

Question

And what causes it?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders in which the person experiences clinical depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. The disorder can cause great distress among those afflicted and those living with them. Bipolar disorder can be a disabling condition, with a higher-than-average risk of death through suicide.


to learn more about it, you can go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

Answer 2

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder marked by sudden, unexplained changes in mood. It is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry. Suicide is an all too common end to a life consumed by this disorder, though it is unnecessary with proper treatment. The range of moods is from severe depression to severe mania (extreme happiness or elation to the point of being euphoric). This disorder normally is first seen in adolescence or early adulthood, but may be seen in young children or at a much later stage of life. The disorder can be rather mild or very severe. Some patients find it difficult or impossible to work, while others work everyday. Effective treatment with mood stabilizing drugs and/or anti-depressants is essential for a good prognosis.

I am bipolar just so you understand that I know a bit about this disease. Contact me if you have more questions about it. You can also check my website listed below or one of the other websites I list in the SOURCE section below.

Sincerely,
Terry
E-mail: [e-mail]

Visit "Our Bipolar World" my personal website at:
http://www.ourbipolarworld.com/

Answer 3

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. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe.

Answer 4

OK, so it's a mood disorder and a serious mental illness. It has a strong genetic component, but appears to be triggered environmentally. There are no diagnostic tests for it, just psychiatric evaluation. Most sufferers are not diagnosed until middle age, and it takes an average of around 8-10 years to get a correct diagnosis. Historically, figures suggested it affects about 0.8% of the population at some point, which makes it about half as common as schizophrenia. In recent years, bipolar disorder has become an 'in' diagnosis, and many more people are being diagnosed at younger and younger ages. As with ADHD, this fad may well pass with time, although for the moment many celebrities appear to be 'popularising' it.

It is characterised by episodes of severe clinical depression and mania or hypomania (for definitions of those, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_diagnostic_criteria_for_bipolar_disorder ). The extreme end of mania often turns into psychosis, complete with hallucinations and delusions. During manic phases, the person's judgement and perception of reality is severely compromised, leading to risky actions with potentially damaging consequences (financially, sexually and relationship-wise). Untreated, episodes generally worsen over time due to an effect known as kindling. Untreated Bipolar sufferers are at a very high risk of suicide: 20-25% attempt it, and 15% succeed.

The cycles in bipolar disorder are much longer than people generally believe. Anyone whose mood changes from minute to minute is very unlikely to be bipolar. Bipolar 1 is characterised by mood episodes lasting many months, while Bipolar 2 has episodes in the region of weeks to months. Rapid and ultra-rapid cycling bipolar disorder is rare, and cycles last days to weeks.

There are many drugs available to treat the symptoms of bipolar (there is no cure). These are either anti-convulsants or anti-psychotics (personally I take both), and the most well known of these is Lithium. Most patients will go through a number of different drugs before finding one that works for them.

Answer 5

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. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.

Answer 6

Bipolar disorder is when a person goes through a manic stage and a depressive stage. These stages may lasts weeks to months at a time. Manic stages usually is when someone is extremely at a high point. They may take many risks or be very irritable. Then, they may crash down to a depressive stage. They will probably find it hard to get tasks done, loss of energy, and lack of interest in life. In extreme cases, they may become suicidal. This disorder is believed to be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain and may be hereditary. It can be controlled by psychotherapy and medication.

Answer 7

manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe.

Answer 8

None really knows what causes it most of the time. In cases where the cause is known, it is usually genetic. Bipolar is when you have extreme moodswings. You are depressed for days on end, then you are hyper and happy. The risk of suicide is high, sense depression is so severe. You get mad easily and you have thoughts of suicide.

Answer 9

It used to be called manic-depressive, but both the old and the new name indicate that it causes extreme highs and extreme lows in a person's mental outlook.
Once upon a time, it was attributed to devils and evil spirits. Today it is attributed to brain chemistry that has gone out of whack. The good news is that it can be controlled with medication.
As to what actually precipitates the condition, no one really knows.

Answer 10

nothimg causes bipolar it is a genetic thing that runs in the family
bipolar is a disorder that medication is need to help control the person mental health stability pertaining to mood swings and other on going mental health issues
example a person may be in a good mood but if something disrupts badly in their lives their moods switch to a bad mood usually family and friends are a target to the persons overall of behavior mental health medication is taken by the person with bipolar and if it gets out of hand the person with bipolar may have to stay in a psychiatric hospital for evaluation