| Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as | | | | mood swings, from overly high, called a mania |
| manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder | | | | episode to an overly low mood called severe |
| that inflicts unusual swing not only in a | | | | depression. Some of bipolar disorder's manic |
| person's mood but also the level of energy, | | | | symptoms include restlessness, extreme |
| irritability, aggressiveness, ability to | | | | irritability, super-charged energy level, |
| function and temperament. Although we all | | | | racing thoughts and ideas followed by the |
| experience certain changes in our mood from | | | | inability to express them in an |
| time to time, someone who suffers from | | | | understandable manner, feeling excessively |
| bipolar disorder experience this in much | | | | "high" or euphoric, feeling jumpy or needing |
| greater intensity and severity, often it | | | | very little sleep, total lack of |
| becomes so extreme and disruptive that this | | | | concentration, becoming easily distracted, |
| disorder interferes with a person's normal | | | | unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and |
| daily life. This condition can be dangerous | | | | powers and poor judgment. Some may also |
| and even life-threatening if left undiagnosed | | | | experience increased sexual drive, becoming |
| and untreated. A patient who is suffering | | | | intrusive, aggressive or provocative and |
| from bipolar disorder may deteriorate from | | | | still deny that anything is wrong with them. |
| feeling depressed to feeling absolutely | | | | On the other end of the scale, symptoms of a |
| suicidal as the sense of sadness, loneliness | | | | depressive episode include an overwhelming |
| and hopelessness take hold. This disorder | | | | feeling of hopelessness or pessimism, a |
| usually develops in late adolescence, around | | | | prolonged feeling of emptiness, anxiety and |
| the age of eighteen or early adulthood. | | | | extreme sadness, a sense of guilt or |
| However many sufferers live with this | | | | worthlessness, difficulty in concentrating, |
| condition for years before it is properly | | | | remembering or making decisions, |
| diagnosed. Without treatment, the usual | | | | sleeplessness or chronic fatigue leading to |
| course of bipolar disorder tends to go from | | | | excessive sleeping, loss of interest in |
| bad to worse. The risk of suicide appears to | | | | activities previously enjoyed, weight gain or |
| be higher earlier in the course of the | | | | loss, and continuous thought of suicide or |
| illness, consequently being able to detect | | | | death. Seeking Treatment A sufferer of a |
| the symptoms of bipolar disorder early and | | | | bipolar disorder will need to be diagnosed by |
| learning how best to manage it may help | | | | a certified professional before treatment can |
| decrease the risk of death by suicide. | | | | commence. Most people with this condition, |
| Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder How can you | | | | including those with the most severe forms, |
| identify the symptoms of bipolar disorder? It | | | | can achieve substantial stabilization of |
| is sometimes quite easy to dismiss this | | | | their mood swings and related symptoms with |
| condition especially among teenagers as they | | | | proper medication and psychosocial treatment |
| are usually full of angst, depressed or go | | | | over a period of time. Both the patient and |
| through different phases of intense emotions | | | | doctor must work closely together every step |
| during late adolescence or early adulthood. | | | | of the way to monitor progress and make the |
| Parents do need to keep an eye on their | | | | necessary adjustments to the treatment plan |
| teenage children's feelings and if these | | | | to ensure treatment effectiveness. |
| episodes of mania or depression do not | | | | |
| subside or stop altogether, they could well | | | | For more great articles on Bipolar Disorder |
| be exhibiting the symptoms of a bipolar | | | | please visit Bipolar Disorder Advice. |
| disorder. Bipolar disorder causes dramatic | | | | |