Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings and dramatic shifts in thinking, judgement, energy levels, and behavior. The disorder is characterized by periods of abnormal emotional highs (known as mania) and extreme emotional lows (or depression). These shifts in mood can last hours, days, weeks, or months — and can greatly affect daily functioning, your ability to go to work or school, and relationships. Managing bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment and typically involves a combination of talk therapy, medication, and lifestyle habits like exercise and meditation.

Common Questions & Answers

What are the signs of bipolar disorder?

Signs of bipolar disorder include extreme shifts in mood from uncontrollable excitement and energy to feeling intensely sad and lethargic, getting too much or too little sleep, impulsiveness, engaging in risky or inappropriate behavior, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

When speaking to someone with bipolar disorder, avoid using words like “crazy” or “psycho” and phrases that minimize their symptoms, like “everyone has mood swings sometimes” or “you’re lucky you have manic episodes because you’re so productive.”

When bipolar disorder goes untreated, extreme mood swings and shifts in thinking patterns and behavior can lead to substance abuse, insomnia, the inability to work or engage in relationships, isolation, financial crises, and an increased risk of suicide.

Bipolar disorder has a genetic component, as the condition runs in families. However, scientists have not identified any single gene that causes bipolar disorder. Rather, it’s believed that multiple genes, along with environmental factors, lead to the condition.

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Resources
  1. Bipolar Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. April 12, 2022.

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