what is BI-POLAR???????????????

Question

i have heard of the term before, but i am not exactly sure of wat it means. but anyways i think i am bipolar. u can see my other questions to know why...

Answer 1

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.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#intro


Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp1

Answer 2

Bipolar illness is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is when a person has swings in mood from being depressed (lethargic, life has no meaning, tired and bored, upset, tearful, sometimes suicidal), to being "high" or manic (mania can also manifest itself as irritability, inability to sleep, talking fast, grandiose ideas, inflated self-esteem, strange behavior etc.) Some people have normal periods in between where they are fine, and some cycle quickly between, but the norm is a few weeks or months at a time in one state and the same for the other. Biopolar illness is an inheritable disease. But, with today's medication, it can be successfully treated in most cases. Sometimes it's difficult to diagnose in children and adolescents, and also in adults if they've not experienced a "manic" episode (or not recognized it.) If your "other questions" are wondering if you yourself are bipolar, definitely go see a good mental health professional, get some testing done, and see if you might be bipolar and need to be treated. Often, bipolar people don't WANT to be treated 'cuz the mania part is FUN but it's no laughing matter when the depression hits; you're up, you gotta crash sometime. Good luck!

Answer 3

Bipolar disorder causes depressive episodes and manic episodes at different times during the illness. A common misperception is that bipolar mood changes are usually quick and drastic. In reality, mood shifts are often quite gradual. An episode—whether depressive or manic—can last for days, weeks, months, or even years.

Moreover, people with bipolar disorder are not always depressed or manic; they can go for long stretches of time in a "normal," balanced mood. The typical person with bipolar disorder has an average of four episodes during the first 10 years of the illness. Some symptoms can include.

Sadness
Excessive crying
Loss of pleasure
Sleeping too much or too little
Low energy
Restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Loss of appetite or overeating
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
Ongoing physical problems that are not caused by physical illness or injury (eg, headaches, digestive problems, pain)
Thoughts of death or suicide

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that affects millions of Americans each year. If untreated, the disease can produce dramatic mood swings—and can seriously disrupt a person's life and the lives of those around them.

Symptoms of Bi-Polar

Significant changes in appetite and/or weight (e.g., may crave specific foods or be unable to eat)
Sleep problems (e.g., may have insomnia or sleep too much)
Loss of energy or fatigue (e.g., may take much longer to do simple, everyday tasks)
Trouble concentrating (e.g., may have a hard time making decisions or focusing on work)
Slowed speech, thinking, or body movements (e.g., may take a long time to answer a question)
Inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness (e.g., may fixate on perceived failings)
Agitation or restlessness (e.g., may not be able to sit still)
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (e.g., may have plans for how to commit suicide)

Answer 5

A psychiatric disorder marked by alternating episodes of mania and depression. Also called bipolar illness, manic-depressive illness.

For more details check this link:

Answer 6

bi-polar is a form of mental illness.a person can be happy one moment and be mad at their best friend the next. they always leave people guessing what will happen next. also most people get being "random" and being "bi-polar" mixed up. to be bi-poalr you have to take medication and have regular doctor visits. and there are different levels of bi-polar as well, but i dont know as much about those.why dont you google search "bi-polar"? that'll give you more accurate info

Answer 7

Bi-Polar , is a medical condition in where a pateint usually has multiple personalities, which vary according to the individual. The personalitites may stand out during one time of the day, but more occuringly, happen over an instance for an unknown reason.

Answer 8

it's the new way of referring to what we used to call 'manic-depressives'. Basically it means you have two points on your body compass. High and low. Big mood swings with no real reason. It's a real clinical, organic disorder that needs professional help.

Answer 9

if you were bi polar, you would probably already know it. it's when you have very drastic mood swings that are uncontrollable. It is usually accompanied by depression.

Answer 10

u can describe a bi-polar person as volitile
bi-polar people can be SO unpredictable