National Institute of Mental Health Bipolar Disorder
National Institute of Mental Health Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also famous as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the power to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes by from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relations, poor job or school achievement, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be handled, and individuals with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
Symptoms
People with bipolar disorder feel unusually intense emotional states that occur in distinct periods called “mood episodes.” An overly joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode, and an extremely sad or hopeless state is called a depressive episode. Sometimes, a mood episode admits symptoms of both mania and depression. This is named a mixed state. Individuals with bipolar disorder also may be explosive and irritable during a mood episode.
Bipolar Disorder Treated
To date, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. But appropriate treatment helps most individuals with bipolar disorder gain better control of their mood swings and linked symptoms.18-20 this is also true for individuals with the most severe forms of the illness. Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, individuals with the disorder demand long-term treatment to maintain control of bipolar symptoms. An effectual maintenance treatment plan admits medication and psychotherapy for keeping relapse and reducing symptom severity.21.
Contact Details
National Institute of Mental Health
Science Writing, Press & Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: 301-443-4513 or
1-866-615-NIMH (6464) toll-free
TTY: 301-443-8431
TTY: 866-415-8051 toll-free
FAX: 301-443-4279
E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov