About Bipolar Disorder

Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Bipolar disorder

• Manic-depressive illness

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. People with the disorder experience episodes of extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression).

• Manic episode: A person may feel very happy or unusually irritable, have lots of energy, and may do risky or dangerous things. These mood swings affect sleep, energy, activity, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly.

• Depressive episode: A person may feel sad or hopeless, lose interest or pleasure in most activities, have low energy, and have trouble sleeping or concentrating.

Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, it can be managed with medications and psychological counseling. Most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, though some may not experience any.

Trend

• In the United States, about 2.8% of adults have bipolar disorder.

• It is estimated that about 4.4% of people will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.

• The number of people with the disorder in the last five years is not known, but it is projected that the number will increase in the next five years.

History of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder has been recognized for centuries, but it was formally classified as a mental health condition in the 20th century. The exact causes are not known, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and brain chemistry factors.

Bipolar Disorder - Source of Information

• American Psychiatric Association

• Cleveland Clinic

• Mayo Clinic

• National Library of Medicine

• SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.