Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, A.K.A. manic-depression, is a mood disorder that affects literally millions of people worldwide. It is classified as a mood disorder because, like depression and anxiety disorder, it affects both an individual's emotions as well as how an individual interacts emotionally with others.

The name itself, bipolar disorder, conveys an aspect of duality. And this duality is certainly reflected by the cycling of moods which a bipolar person will experience. The two poles, one high and one low, are mania and depression which alternate or "swing. Thus, a bipolar individual at one point may experience a manic or euphoric mood, accompanied by racing thoughts, and at another point may experience a state of depression accompanied by feelings of lowered worth, guilt, and difficulty with sleep.

Because bipolar mood swings can include psychotic symptoms (including hallucinations and delusions), bipolar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as schizophrenia. However, bipolar disorder is an identifiable and distinct condition in its own right, with implications that are just as serious. In fact, it is not uncommon for bipolar patients to experience thoughts of suicide and to engage in self-destructive behavior.

When does bipolar disorder begin? Sometimes in an individual's teen years or as a young adult. However, regardless of the onset, bipolar has, as an inherent quality, the capacity to become progressively worse over time, making the need for proper medical treatment and counseling even greater.