What is bipolar disorder?

Answer 1

a chemical deficiency in the brain

Answer 2

Bipolar I disorder is characterized by manic episodes, the "high" of the manic-depressive cycle. A bipolar patient experiencing mania often has feelings of self-importance, elation, talkativeness, increased sociability, and a desire to embark on goal-oriented activities, coupled with the characteristics of irritability, impatience, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and a decreased need for sleep. Usually this manic period is followed by a period of depression, although a few bipolar I individuals may not experience a major depressive episode. Mixed states, where both manic or hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms occur at the same time, also occur frequently with bipolar I patients (for example, depression with the racing thoughts of mania). Also, dysphoric mania is common (mania characterized by anger and irritability).

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by major depressive episodes alternating with episodes of hypomania, a milder form of mania. Bipolar depression may be difficult to distinguish from a unipolar major depressive episode. Patients with bipolar depression tend to have extremely low energy, retarded mental and physical processes, and more profound fatigue (for example, hypersomnia; a sleep disorder marked by a need for excessive sleep or sleepiness when awake) than unipolar depressives.

Answer 3

The following is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as manic-depression, is a diagnosis in psychiatry referring to mania (or hypomania or mixed states) alternating with clinical depression (or depressed or euthymic mood) over a significant period of time. Unlike highs and lows a normal person might experience, one with bipolar disorder experiences extreme mood swings that can last for minutes to months. Mood changes of this nature are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide. There have also been links to high functioning, notably regarding hypomania ('below mania') and creativity. More often than not, people with bipolar disorder are above average in creativity, perseverance, and sometimes intelligence. Countless writers, musicians, artists, scientists, performers, poets, and other creative talents have been diagnosed with some form of bipolar disorder, and some even attribute it to their creativity. Both the natural drive for success and flight of ideas in the state of mania and hypomania are linked directly to many creative motives. Some people who suffer from bipolar disorder have mixed states often, where they feel depressed and 'blue', but unlike clinical depression one in a mixed state may still feel 'always high'. It is one of the signature characterists of bipolar disorder. They may have creative energy, racing thoughts, but a constant negative feeling. These two extremes combined can often lead to anxiety. This is one of the reasons that many people with bipolar disorder also suffer from panic disorder.

Bipolar Disorder is commonly categorised as either Type I, where an individual experiences full-blown mania, or Type II, in which the "highs" don't go beyond hypomania (unless triggered in to mania by medication). The latter is much more difficult to diagnose, since the hypomanic episodes may simply appear as a period of successful high productivity. Psychosis can occur, particularly in manic periods. There are also 'rapid cycling' subtypes. Because there is so much variation in the severity and nature of mood-related problems, the concept of a bipolar spectrum is often employed, which includes cyclothymia. There is an ongoing dispute as to how many 'types' of bipolar disorder there really are. Many with bipolar disorder in the manic state are prone to severe anxiety and panic, while others are completely euphoric. Some do not get manic, and rather stay in a less intense state (hypomania).Depression medications often do not work well with bipolar people since it may induce mania and worsen the disorder. In addition, many with bipolar disorder are originally diagnosed with unipolar depression (clinical depression), further complicating diagnosis and definition.

Answer 4

Bi polar disorder is what used to be called manic depressive. It is where people have extreme highs and extreme lows over and over in a cycle (a period of time). I got so bad that I also had auditory hallucinations-I heard voices, but medicine took care of that. The medicine they give for bi polar disorder is not ever going to cure the bi polar, it can only treat the symptoms so that they can function more like regular people.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness where you have periods of clinical depression alternating with periods of mania. In adolescents, mania could show as rage or anger.

Answer 6

when u are cold all the time

Answer 7

i hope you are kidding with that