What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive illness, is a common illness characterized byre current episodes of mania and major depression. An affected person's mood can swing from excessive highs (mania) to profound hopelessness (depression), usually with periods of normal mood in between. Some individuals may exhibit mixed symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time, while others may have more moderate symptoms of mania (hypo mania).
The type, severity and duration of mood episodes experienced can vary. Some individuals may have a predominance of either mania or depression, whereas some sufferers may experience equal numbers of both. The mood episodes can last for a few days to as long as several months, particularly when left untreated or not treated effectively. Depressions tend to last longer than manic episodes. Typically, a person with bipolar disorder can expect an average of ten episodes of mania or depression in his or her lifetime but some sufferers experience much more frequent mood episodes. The frequency of episodes tends to increase with time and individuals who experience four or more episodes in a year are said to have rapid cycling.

Characteristics

Symptoms of Mania:
Increased energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid speech
Excessive euphoria
Extreme irritability and distractibility
Decreased sleep requirement
Uncharacteristically poor judgment
Increased sexual drive
Denial that anything is wrong
Overspending
Risk-behaviour

Symptoms of Depression:
    Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood
     Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
     Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
     Decreased energy, feelings of fatigue
     Difficulty in concentrating, remembering or making decisions
     Change in appetite or weight
     Thoughts of death or suicide