What is bipolar?

Answer 1

Bipolar disorder

From high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness - manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.

Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early hood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.

The flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.

Answer 2

Bipolar is a very complex mental disease (my mother is bipolar). The hallmark of bipolar disorder is cycling. Where moods such as extreme euphoria are preceded by a massive depression, these moods switching very rapidly or very slowly depending on the type of bipolar one has. Bipolar's can also have hallucinations, be very delusional, be extremely impulsive or compulsive, many have spending problems (they wrack up a lot of debt on unnecessary things). Some bipolar's can even have moments where they are not cycling between extremes at all although that is rare. It took a while to find the right medication for my mother but they finally did. It didn't take away all the symptoms but she is a lot better than she was.

Answer 3

Bipolar disorder-also known as manic-depressive illness. For people with bipolar disorder, life can be an emotional roller coaster. It can have intense highs and crippling lows. But treatments are available to help control these extreme mood swings. Although there is no cure, with proper treatment, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder can live normal lives. Do you know someone who might be bipolar or do you think you might be? I have known a few people with this disorder. It can be very dangerous if not properly taken care of. Good luck with your research. Alot of the sites that the others gave you will really help and also see a doctor.

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, recognized by its two poles:
mania and depression. People experience violent mood swings; some have mood swings every few months; while others have several small mood swings a day, which is called ultradian cycling. Bipolar disorder is also often referred to as manic depression.

The symptoms of mania are:
- euphoria
- rapid, uncontrollable, incoherent thoughts (swapping from one subject to another)
- being quickly irritated

The symptoms of depression are:
- remorse, regret, feelings of guilt
- feelings of worthlessness
- (physical and mental) tiredness
- crying spells
- suicidal thoughts

Not all symptoms are required. For example, one may have crying spells and mania. One may quickly swap between these poles. Sometimes even mixtures of these symptoms may occur. One can be manic and agressive, having suicidal thoughts, for example.

I advise you go see a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Describe your symptoms in detail. He or she may prescribe a suitable drug. Zyprexa is a very good drug, but be aware; it causes massive weight gain (approximately 15 kg or 33 lbs).

You should NEVER take antidepressants if being bipolar; it may be dangerous. Instead, use a mood stabilizer such as lithium or zyprexa.

May I advise you to read these pages?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mania

Answer 5

There are 4 types of bipolar.Theres bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar III and unibipolar.All have about the same things some are less servere. Check out this site,BipolarWorld.com.It has lots of info on it..

Answer 6

the older term used was manic depressive. It's a mental disorder where the patient suffers extreme highs or extreme lows. Most are on meds. to keep this in balance.

Answer 7

An over diagnosed mental illness. Most people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder don't have anything wrong with them.

Answer 8

It is a manic depressive illness.

There is a lot of info on the net about it. And the below link has some useful info.

Answer 9

It's a psychiatric disorder marked by alternating episodes of mania and depression. It's also called manic-depressive illness.

Answer 10

A serious and disturbing mental illness. Doctors use therapy and prescription medications, like Prozac.