Bipolar Disorder

Being Bipolar means having a category of mood disorders, not a single disorder. It used to be known as manic depressive illness and is a condition that affects more then two million Americans. People who have this illness tend to have extreme mood swings and these mood swings can take three different forms.

One form is a Manic episode which causes an (elevated mood) very happy and on top of the world. Then again, they can get irritable and anxious making them talk too fast and too much. They also have an increase in energy and a reduced need for sleep. They might even do things that they will regret later, like spending sprees. Most of them are psychotic and delusional, they also have hallucinations like hearing voices or talking to someone who isn't there. Another form is a depressive episode where people often have a great feeling of emptiness or sadness. They have a lack of energy and a loss of interest in their appearance or keeping their home clean. They have trouble concentrating and can't sleep and also have thoughts of dying or suicide. A mixed episode of the disorder is of course a combination of the two (manic and depressive) episodes.

It is believed to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain where if you have too much dopamine it causes delusions. And if you have too little it causes the lack of emotion and energy. An episode can last for weeks, or even years in any Bipolar episode.